Cold case rapist and killer, 92, went to jail for life

A 92 -year -old man has been In a case, a woman was jailed for life for rape and murder, which took 58 years to resolve.

Railend Headley was 34 years old, when he strangled 75 -year -old widow Louisa Dunna at his home on 28 June 1967 at Easton, Bristol.

She was lying on the floor of her living room by a neighbor, Bristol Crown Court heard. A pathologist confirmed that he had died of asphickia due to strangulation and pressure on his mouth.

Judge, Mr. Justice Sweeting, said the attack was “pathetic and cruel” and Ipswich, Safok’s Headley showed “no regrets” for his actions.

At the time of her death, Mrs. Dune was living alone.

Mr. Sweeting told the court that Headley was planning to rape Mrs. Duna when he broke into her house and attacked him “cruelly”.

“The nature of these crimes shows a complete disregard for human life and dignity.

“Mrs. Duna was insecure, she was a younger elderly woman who was living alone. You considered her as a means for an end,” he said.

“His house, his body and his life finally a violation of a misconduct and cruel act was a misconduct and cruel act by a person.

He said, “You may not have intended to kill, but you raped her and you attacked him brutally.”

Mrs. Dunna’s granddaughter, Mary Denton, took a aggrieved effect to the witness box to make a statement. He talked about the “far -reaching” destruction left by Headley’s actions.

He said that it “fell for him to speak to those who are no longer here”.

Ms. Danton was now 78, 20 years old, when Mrs. Dune died.

He told the court that people “took back” from his family when he came to know about the circumstances of his death.

Ms. Danton said: “I have struggled emotionally in ways that I did not guess.

“There is a stigma associated with rape and murder.

“This has reverse my life. I feel unhappy and very tired, which has impressed me with the relationships that I have.

“It deeply hurts me that all those who know and love Louisa are not here to see that justice is being done.”

Mr. Sweeting appreciated the Crown Prosecution Service, police and forensic scientists included for their hard work.

Headley, who denied rape and murder, will spend a minimum tenure in a 20 -year prison.

After sentencing, Mr. Sweeting said to him: “You will never be released. You will die in jail.”