here's one Lifer Unit said wasn't released (August 2010) - Martin PRIESTLEY - Life on 26-NOV-1965 at Maidstone Assizes
m:)
I've just been reading about the Priestley case. It wasn't one i was familiar with.
Brief facts: (for anybody interested)
In September 1965, Martin Priestley(22) murdered Margaret Barrett, a 12 year old girl, in what was suggested to be
an unsuccessful sexual assault - which resulted in him strangling her.
An excerpt from Kent and Sussex Courier 29th October 1965:
"Priestley had been seen in Kilndown during the afternoon of September 25th where he had gone to visit a young girl
called Elizabeth Bristow, 15, {whom he regarded as his girlfriend}
Elizabeth's mother disapproved of the association, and when she saw Priestley talking to her daughter at about 4.15pm,
she called the girl indoors...From that time until 5pm Priestley was seen talking to Margaret at the back of the village hall"
Priestley is/was clearly a danger to young women. Glad he wasn't given the chance to re-offend.
When reading the newspaper archives, i found an article, that puts a weird twist to the story:
Birmingham Daily Post Saturday 2nd October 1965
Man found shot dead in castle grounds
"Alfred James Bristow, aged 59, of Kilndown, near Cranbrook, who left home threatening to kill himself
after his daughter's former boyfriend was charged with murder, was found shot yesterday in the wooded grounds
of Scotney Castle, Kent. His wife Mrs Emily Bristow, aged 46, said: 'He left here with a shotgun and a pocket filled
with cartridges. He said he would do himself in.'
Chief Det.Supt Arthur Hall, head of Kent C.I.D, said last night that this is not a murder inquiry. Bristow was the
father of Elizabeth Bristow, aged 15, former girl-friend of 22 year old Martin Priestley,who was remanded in custody
at Tenterden on Monday charged with strangling 12 year old Margaret Barrett at Kilndown"
Priestley admitted he was with the girl. In his statements he never mentioned anybody else being there.
Very strange behaviour from Mr Bristow, almost like he had a guilty conscience. Though I can't find any suggestion
he was involved.
Does anyone else know of this case and any further details?