Man, 92, denies raping and murdering woman in 1967

A 92-year-old man has denied raping and murdering a woman 57 years ago.

Louisa Dunne, 75, was found strangled on her living room floor in Brittania Road in Easton, Bristol, on 28 June 1967.

Ryland Headley, of Clarence Road in Ipswich, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Monday after being arrested and charged with rape and murder in November 2024. He denies both charges.

Both crimes allegedly took place between 26 June and 29 June 1967, when Mr Headley would have been in his 30s, the court heard.

Mr Headley is accused of forcing entry into Mrs Dunne's home before attacking her.

Jurors heard Mrs Dunne, who was using her front room as a bedroom, was found lying on a pile of old clothes by neighbours.

Police found no evidence of any violent struggle into the house, jurors also heard.

Anna Vigars KC and Ramin Pakrooh are appearing for the prosecution, while Jeremy Benson KC and Abigail Bright will defend Mr Headley.

Mrs Vigars, prosecuting, told the court a number of local women were "worried" about Mrs Dunne as they had not seen her all morning on the day she was found.

"The fact that she wasn't out on the doorstep was unusual for her," Mrs Vigars said.

"So, two of the local women, Violet Allen and Hilda Stedman, then went over and found the front door shut and the sash window near the front door open as far as possible.

"When she looked through the window, Violet Allen could see Mrs Dunne's legs by the side of the table so, with the help of two other women, she climbed in through the window and went over to her.

"Violet Allen took hold of Mrs Dunne's hand and immediately realised that she was dead because her hand was ice cold."

Jurors heard swabs were taken from Mrs Dunne's body which returned a positive result for semen, but scientific examinations at that time were limited.

Mrs Vigars told the court police also recovered a palm print from a window at Mrs Dunne's home which was compared to thousands of men and boys in 1967, but none matched the suspect.

However in 2023 the case was re-examined and DNA testing of the swabs matched Mr Headley.

The judge, Mr Justice Sweeting, told members of the prospective jury panel of the "serious" nature of the case.

"It involves an allegation of rape and an allegation of murder.

"It's important that the jury decide the case simply on the evidence presented in court," he said.

The trial is expected to last three weeks.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.