Prosecution of the oldest cold case murder

Abigail Bright defended 92-year-old Ryland Headley who was convicted of the rape and murder of Louisa Dunne, who, in June 1967, was aged 75.

The trial started on Monday 16th June 2025.  Mr Headley chose not to give evidence.

The jury convicted of murder by a majority of 10 to 2.

Both verdicts were returned on the third day of the jury’s retirement. 

Peter Spary, Partner at Barricella Hughes Marchant Solicitors, instructed Abigail, who was led by Jeremy Benson KC, Red Lion Chambers.

The Hon. Mr Justice Sweeting’s sentencing remarks will be televised at 10.30am on Tuesday 1st July 2025.

A Court-appointed intermediary attended on Mr Headley on each day of the trial. 

Abigail examined-in-chief an independent forensic fingerprint examiner to advance the Defendant’s case at the trial.

A reporting restriction had applied until the start of the trial to the Defendant’s convictions for raping women in 1978, then aged 79 and 85, and dwelling burglary offences.

The trial featured evidence of 19,000 palm print inquiries police made in 1967.

The BBC reported extensively on each day of the trial. 

You can read a selection of the reports here, here, here and here.

ITV News published a film about solving the oldest cold case murder review.

You can read the sentencing remarks here.