Louisa Dunne’s rape and murder is thought to be the UK's oldest cold case.

Here is a timeline of how the case has evolved over the past 58 years.

• On 28 June 1967, the 75-year-old was found dead in her front room. She had bruising on her neck indicating she had been strangled with a scarf.
• An investigation was launched but with a lack of forensic evidence, police had no leads and the case went cold.

• Avon and Somerset Police’s major and statutory crime review team revisited the Louisa Dunne evidence inventory in 2023.

• In November 2024, Ryland Headley was arrested on suspicion of rape and murder at his home in Ipswich. He was subsequently charged and later denied the crimes.

• Throughout the trial at Bristol Crown Court, the jury was told how detectives found a “billion to one” DNA match to Headley.
• After nine hours and 53 minutes of deliberations, the jury found him guilty of raping and murdering Mrs Dunne.

Image source, Supplied

Image source, Supplied

Louisa Dunne’s murder in 1967 horrified her community and sparked a large manhunt in Easton, Bristol.

At the time of her murder, the 75-year-old had been widowed twice and was estranged from her two children.

Her neighbours on Britannia Road remembered her as a kind woman who “wouldn’t hurt a fly”, who was often found at her front door chatting with acquaintances or watching the world go by.

But when she failed to collect her daily newspaper from her front garden wall on the morning of 28 June 1967, her neighbours realised that something was wrong.

She was found dead in her front room later that day.

The sentencing of Ryland Headley for the rape and murder of Louisa Dunne 58 years ago is due to take place at Bristol Crown Court shortly.

Headley, 92, of Clarence Road in Ipswich, was found guilty of the crimes on Monday.

He is due to be sentenced by Mr Justice Sweeting.

We have reporters in court and will bring you the latest here.