The Bristol Drop - Wednesday, July 2
Murderer jailed under law from 1967, bus gate fine fury, Bristol Bears get new CEO and discover European adversaries, plus more Palestine Action protests in city
Good Morning, hope everyone survived the ‘heatwave’ and we’re set for more normal summer temperatures for the next few days. More superb coverage of the jailing of Ryland Headley - particular hattip to the Channel 4 News documentary highlighted below. It’s quite the watch. Check out the rest of the city’s headlines below.
Bristol news
Wider inquiries: Ryland Headley, 92, was yesterday jailed for life with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder and rape of Louisa Dunne in the Easton area of Bristol in 1967. Following his conviction other police forces will now carry out ‘extensive inquiries’ into his activities over the past 50 years. (Claire Hayhurst, PA - via Bristol Live)
Headley was sentenced yesterday under the law as it stood in 1967, rather than as it stands in 2025. This report interestingly notes that the death penalty was suspended in the UK in 1965. (ITV West Country)
Some outstanding story-telling in the below 30-minute documentary about the shocking crime, including interviews with some of the original detectives from the then Bristol Constabulary. The court transcripts of a psychiatrist’s evidence that helped Headley have his 1977 sentence for raping two pensioners in Ipswich reduced is especially astounding. (Andy Davies - Channel 4 News via YouTube)
‘I watched Ryland Headley in court - his cold mask hid a deadly predator’. (Adam Aspinall - Mirror)
Future fence: A controversial fence may potentially return to playing fields at Stoke Lodge after Cotham School won a lengthy legal saga last month. (Tristan Cork - Bristol Live)
Bus gate bum note: A pianist was threatened with having his front door broken down by bailiffs over an unpaid Bristol bus gate fine - despite him having an exemption to transport musical equipment to a regular gig in the Old City on Sundays. (Tristan Cork - Bristol Live)
Palestine protest: Two people from London were arrested yesterday following a Palestine Action protest targeting Israeli-owned defence firm Elbit’s Bristol operation at Aztec West. (Sarah Lumley - Bristol Live)
Whiteladies’ woes: Up to five months of roadworks will cause delays on Whiteladies Road in Clifton as flood prevention work and resurfacing takes place. (Adriana Amor - Bristol World)
Balloon Fiesta parking: Residents of a number of roads in Long Ashton have been urged to apply for temporary parking permits in the village due to road closures and restrictions during next month’s fiesta at Ashton Court. (Declan O’Reilly - North Somerset Times)
Care home fear: A care home in Weston-super-Mare is at risk as the Salvation Army said it is moving away from providing residential care to the elderly. (Declan O’Reilly - Weston Mercury)
News in numbers
1805: When Jane Austen’s father caught a fever and died in Bath. It perhaps explains why the author disliked the city, as is told by the new exhibition opening at the weekend titled The Most Tiresome Place in the World: Jane Austen & Bath. (Steven Morris - The Guardian)
Today’s newspapers
Business briefs
New Bears chief bullish: Bristol Bears have promoted chief operating officer Tom Tainton to chief executive officer. (John Evely - Bristol Live)
Brewery sorry: Moor Beer, based in St Philips, apologised yesterday after a social media post by its owner supporting the IDF upset some customers, who threatened to ditch its beers. (Angus McIntyre - Bristol Live)
Job cuts: Historic Somerset shoe-maker Clarks has reduced its global workforce by more than 1,200 in the last 12 months. (Robert Buckland - The Business Desk)
Surf’s up again: The Wave inland surfing lake reopened yesterday in time for a major para surfing event. (ITV West Country)
This report reveals some of the alleged infighting behind the scenes. I suspect we haven’t heard the end of this one. (Tristan Cork - Bristol Live)
Sport
Euro fixtures: Bristol Bears will face European champions Bordeaux Begles and South African giants the Vodacom Bulls in next year’s Investec Champions Cup. West rivals Bath and Gloucester were drawn in the same group as each other. (John Evely - Bristol Live)
Bruising defeat: England Women were well beaten by their rivals from India during the second T20 cricket international at Bristol yesterday evening. (Alan Gardner - Cricinfo)
Wider West
Baby murder trial: A couple accused of murdering their two-week old baby at Yeovil District Hospital allegedly casually went for a cigarette as doctors fought to save the baby’s life. (Andy Dolan - Mail Online)
Hot under collar: Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has warned that the heat brings out the worst in people, at the launch of an initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour. (Maisie Lillywhite - BBC Gloucestershire)
Community noticeboard
Austin anniversary: While Bath is overwhelmed by Jane Austen 250th anniversary events the Bristol Austin 7 classic car club celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion it is hosting a classic car day at Newark Park, at Wotton-under-Edge on Sunday, July 13. Details here. (Abigail Nicholson - Bristol Live)
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The Bristol Drop is curated by Western Daily Press editor Richard Bache. Subscribe to start the day with a brief digest of the morning’s essential news.