Black Panther moved to Norwich jail
BEN KENDALL

17 March 2009 06:51




He was once one of Britain's most wanted men, presiding over a reign of terror which culminated in five murders.

Now serial killer Donald Neilson, dubbed the Black Panther during his 1970s crime spree, looks set to die in Norwich prison as he enters the final stages of a terminal illness.

Last night it emerged that the 72-year-old, who can no longer use his arms or legs, will be transferred to the Knox Road jail's elderly lifers unit within two weeks as he enters the latter stages of motor neurone disease.

Neilson will become the latest addition to a Who's Who of Britain's most notorious criminals to be held in the city.

Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs is currently held in the lifers unit which also housed gangland killer Reggie Kray and Britain's only convicted Nazi war criminal, Anthony Sawoniuk, before their deaths.

Neilson, who is said to be totally reliant on prison medics, is currently held on the hospital wing of Category A Full Sutton prison, near York.

A prison source said: “His deterioration has been rapid. Doctors say it's impossible to tell how long he's got. The thinking is that he would be lucky to see Easter.”

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