Bathpool Park is a public park in a rural area between Newcastle-under-Lyme and Kidsgrove , Staffordshire (near the border with Cheshire ). The park became notorious in 1975 as the location for the murder of Lesley Whittle . Lesley's body was found hanging from a steel wire at the bottom of a shaft in the park. Lesley fell or was pushed by a killer known as the Black Panther, Donald Neilson . Neilson was sentenced to life for Whittle's and four other murders, eventually dying as a prisoner in December 2011.
8-558: In 1977, a feature film about Whittle's murder, entitled The Black Panther , was released. Parts of the film were shot on location in Bathpool Park. Bathpool Park is owned and managed by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council . 53°04′41″N 2°14′31″W / 53.078°N 2.242°W / 53.078; -2.242 This Staffordshire location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . The Black Panther (1977 film) The Black Panther
16-644: A fight with the owner, but manages to escape. He later travels home to his wife and teenaged daughter, who are unaware of his criminal activity. Neilson is a strict family man, expecting complete obedience from his wife and daughter, while planning his next robberies and future kidnapping. On 15 February 1974, Neilson robs the Post Office in New Park, shooting the sub-postmaster in the process. A reward in set for Neilson at £ 5,000. While collecting newspaper articles on his activities, Neilson reminisces on his time in
24-418: A steel ligature around her neck to stop her escaping while he is away arranging the ransom. The Whittle family decide to inform the police after discovering Neilson's ransom note in the house. His demand is for £50,000. After two failed attempts at communication, and another shooting by Neilson, Lesley's brother Ronald receives instructions on where to deliver the ransom. He is to drive to Bathpool Park where he
32-479: Is a 1977 British crime film directed and produced by Ian Merrick, his first feature, and stars Donald Sumpter , Debbie Farrington and Marjorie Yates . Its subject is the real life ex-military criminal Donald Neilson , known as the "Black Panther". The story begins with Neilson's robbery at Heywood Post Office in Greater Manchester on 16 February 1972. Neilson loses his black-hooded mask after
40-443: Is found in Bathpool Park, and on 11 December 1975, Neilson is apprehended by two police officers after threatening them with a shotgun. The film was highly controversial on its release, regarded as deeply exploitative as it was released only a few years after the occurrence of the real life events. It was slated by media figures such as Sue Lawley of Tonight . Subsequently, the film was effectively banned from viewing. In 2012,
48-506: Is to look out for a flashing light. Ronald gets lost in the dark and cannot find Bathpool Park. In the confusion, Neilson becomes paranoid and angry, and goes back to Lesley. She falls from the ledge and dies, although it is not clear how it happens. On 23 January, the car which Neilson stole earlier is found abandoned. After the discovery, the police manage to link the kidnapping with the Black Panther killings. On 7 March, Lesley's body
56-474: The army, and prepares for the kidnapping of the wealthy heiress Lesley Whittle. He robs the Post Office at Higher Baxenden in Lancashire on 6 September 1974, where he shoots the owner. He is seen scurrying away over rooftops by witnesses, and becomes known as The Black Panther, due to his black hood, and ability to disappear into the night. On 11 November, he robs Langley Post Office, shooting both clerks in
64-470: The process. The press now regards him as public enemy number one. On 14 January 1975, Neilson travels to Highley , Shropshire and kidnaps Lesley Whittle from her bed. He drives her to Bathpool Park in Kidsgrove , Staffordshire , where he takes her sixty feet underground into a reservoir drainage shaft system. He puts her on a narrow ledge, with food and drink, so nobody can hear or find her. He tightens
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