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| Serial killer Donald Neilson dies | Serial killer Donald Neilson dies |
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| Donald Neilson, the serial killer known as the Black Panther, has died, the Ministry of Justice has said. | Donald Neilson, the serial killer known as the Black Panther, has died, the Ministry of Justice has said. |
| The 75-year-old died on Sunday after being taken from Norwich Prison to hospital with breathing difficulties. | |
| Neilson was convicted of four murders, including that of 17-year-old kidnap victim Lesley Whittle, who was snatched from her Shropshire home in 1975. | Neilson was convicted of four murders, including that of 17-year-old kidnap victim Lesley Whittle, who was snatched from her Shropshire home in 1975. |
| Three years ago he lost an appeal to have his life sentence, imposed in 1976, reduced to 30 years. | Three years ago he lost an appeal to have his life sentence, imposed in 1976, reduced to 30 years. |
| A Prison Service spokesman said Neilson was taken to hospital in the early hours of Saturday after suffering breathing difficulties and was pronounced dead at 18:45 GMT on Sunday. | A Prison Service spokesman said Neilson was taken to hospital in the early hours of Saturday after suffering breathing difficulties and was pronounced dead at 18:45 GMT on Sunday. |
| "As with all deaths in custody, the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation," he said. | "As with all deaths in custody, the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation," he said. |
| Neilson murdered heiress Lesley Whittle in 1975 and shot dead three sub-postmasters during armed robberies. | Neilson murdered heiress Lesley Whittle in 1975 and shot dead three sub-postmasters during armed robberies. |
| He was also responsible for the burglaries of some 400 sub post offices. | He was also responsible for the burglaries of some 400 sub post offices. |
| In 2008, High Court judge Mr Justice Teare ruled the killer must never be released from prison, saying: "This is a case where the gravity of the applicant's offences justifies a whole life order." | In 2008, High Court judge Mr Justice Teare ruled the killer must never be released from prison, saying: "This is a case where the gravity of the applicant's offences justifies a whole life order." |