Uploaded September 2020 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
Before he became notorious as the 'Black Panther', Donald Neilson (born Donald Nappey) had already committed over 400 home burglaries without being caught. By the time he kidnapped the teenage heiress Lesley Whittle in January 1975, he had already murdered three men in several post-office robberies. Tragically, a series of unfortunate events were to lead to Whittle's death while in his captivity, whether through his intent or by accident, but ultimately Neilson's responsibility. As Justice Mars-Jones sentenced Neilson to life imprisonment in 1976, he specified: 'In your case, "life" must mean life'.
Please note that this program was made in 1992. 'Life' did ultimately mean life for Neilson: he died in prison in 2011, having never been released.
It should also be emphasised that Neilson had no relation to the Black Panther organisation in America or to the comic book character.
This is the full length episode. Previous uploads are TV recordings with about 3 minutes cut.
Before he became notorious as the 'Black Panther', Donald Neilson (born Donald Nappey) had already committed over 400 home burglaries without being caught. By the time he kidnapped the teenage heiress Lesley Whittle in January 1975, he had already murdered three men in several post-office robberies. Tragically, a series of unfortunate events were to lead to Whittle's death while in his captivity, whether through his intent or by accident, but ultimately Neilson's responsibility. As Justice Mars-Jones sentenced Neilson to life imprisonment in 1976, he specified: 'In your case, "life" must mean life'.
Please note that this program was made in 1992. 'Life' did ultimately mean life for Neilson: he died in prison in 2011, having never been released.
It should also be emphasised that Neilson had no relation to the Black Panther organisation in America or to the comic book character.
This is the full length episode. Previous uploads are TV recordings with about 3 minutes cut.
