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Dennis Nilsen, Scottish Serial Killer

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This Free Space Page was created as an addition to the profile of Dennis Andrew Nilsen (1945-2018) the Scottish Serial Killer.

PLEASE NOTE: This page contains Graphic Content of the Murders!

Contents

Murders and Attempted Murders

It was determined that Dennis was actively involved in both murder and attempted murder between 1978 and his arrest in 1983. He is known to have killed at least 12 men and boys and attempted to kill a further 7. All of his victims were male. His victims were all lured to his home usually with the offer of alcohol, food and shelter[1].

He would ply his victims with food and alcohol. Some of the men were killed in his bed. He would strangle his victims with some sort of ligature, such as a tie or his headphone wire. They would either be strangled to death or to a state of unconsciousness. Those that were unconscious he would later drown either in his bath, a sink or even a bucket of water. Dennis would then follow a ritual of bathing and re-dressing his victims. He would keep the bodies in his home for weeks and sometimes months before he dismembered them. The victims that were killed between 1978 and 1981 in his home at Melrose Avenue, Cricklewood were disposed of by burning them on a bonfire in his garden. The victims that were killed between 1982 and 1983 in his home at Cranley Gardens, Muswell Hill were kept in his flat, the flesh and smaller bones of the bodies were flushed down the lavatory.

Dennis admitted to acts of Necrophilia with the bodies of his victims[2] however he was insistent that he did not penetrate any of them after their death[3].

Arrest

On the 8 February 1983 following complaints from residents around the plumbing and drainage an employee of Dyno-Rod, Michael Cattran attended the address in Cranley Gardens, Muswell Hill[4]. After opening the drain at the side of the property he found a "flesh like" substance and small bones. He reported his findings to his supervisor however as he had arrived at the property after dark they agreed to postpone further investigations until the morning. Prior to Michael Cattran leaving the property that night he met with Dennis Nilsen and another tenant Jim Allcock to advise them of the situation. Michael told the tenants how much the substance looked like human flesh to which Dennis said "It looks to me like someone has been flushing down their Kentucky Fried Chicken"[5].

At 7.30am the following morning Michael Cattran and his supervisor arrived at the property to find that the drain had been cleared. Michael found some small scraps and 4 small bones in a pipe leading from the drain which linked the top floor flat to the drain. The men believed the bones looked like they had come from a human hand and immediately called the Police who found further scraps and small bones in the same pipe[6].

The remains were taken to be examined by a Pathologist who determined that they were human remains and that one piece had come from a neck which had evidence of a ligature mark.

The top floor flat that was connected to the drain via the pipe containing the remains was occupied by Dennis Nilsen. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Jay and two of his colleagues waited outside the flat for Dennis to return home from work. After introductions the three Officers accompanied Dennis into his flat. As soon as they entered the home they were aware of the stench of rotting flesh[7]. When questioned as to where the rest of the body was Dennis was said to have calmly told DCI Jay they were in 2 plastic bags in his wardrobe. He was asked if there were any more remains to which Dennis replied that "It was a long story". He was arrested and cautioned on suspicion of murder and was taken to Hornsey Police Station. While travelling to the station Dennis admitted there were around 15 or 16 bodies altogether[7].

Charges, Trial and Imprisonment

Dennis was formally charged on 11 February 1983 with the murder of Stephen Sinclair who was his final victim[8]. He was taken to HMP Brixton where he was remanded until his Trial.

While on remand Dennis objected to wearing a prison uniform as he felt he was innocent until proven guilty. In protest to this he threatened to not wear any clothing which resulted in him being confined to his cell. On 1 August 1983 Dennis threw the content of his chamberpot out of his cell which hit several of the Prison Officers[9]. He was subsequently found guilty to assaulting the Officers on 9 August 1983 and was sentenced to 56 days in solitary confinement[8].

On 26 May 1983 Dennis was committed to stand trial at the Old Bailey on 5 counts of Murder and 2 counts of Attempted Murder. A sixth count of Murder would be added at a later date.

Initially Dennis intended to plead Guilty to each of the charges and with his full consent his solicitor Ronald Moss prepared his defence. With just five weeks to go until his trial commenced Dennis dismissed his solicitor, this was not the first time he had done so. He opted instead to be represented by Ralph Haeems (1940[10] - 2005[10]) upon whose advice he pleaded Not Guilty by Diminished Responsibility.

His trial commenced at The Old Bailey on 24 October 1983, charged with 6 counts of Murder and 2 counts of Attempted Murder[11]. Dennis appeared before Mr Justice Croom-Johnson (1914[12] - 2000[12]) and pleaded Not Guilty on all charges[13].

The dispute between the Prosecution and Defence Counsels was not whether Dennis had committed the murders but rather what his state of mind was during the murders. The prosecution argued that Dennis was sane and in full control of actions and killed with premeditation. While the defence argued that he suffered from diminished responsibility which means he was unable to form an intention to commit murder and should therefore be convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter[14].

After closing arguments of both the prosecution and defence the jury retired to consider their verdict on 3 November 1983. The following day the Jury returned to deliver a majority verdict of Guilty on 6 counts of murder and 1 count of attempted murder and a unanimous verdict of Guilty on the remaining count of attempted murder.

Mr Justice Croom-Johnson sentenced Dennis to Life Imprisonment with a recommendation that he serve a minimum of 25 years in prison[11].

Following his sentencing Dennis was transferred to HMP Wormwood Scrubs[15]. He was categorised as a "Category A Prisoner". In the UK there are 4 categories of security A - D, with Category A being the most secure while Category D is the least. As a Category A Prisoner Dennis had his own cell and could mix freely with other prisoners on his wing. Dennis did not lodge an appeal against his conviction.

The month after his conviction, December 1983 Dennis was slashed in the face with a razor blade by inmate Albert Moffatt. He required 83 stitches following this attack. After this he was transferred to HMP Parkhurst for a short time before being transferred to HMP Wakefield where he remained until 1990. He was moved to a vulnerable prisoner unit in HMP Full Sutton in 1991 due to concerns for his safety where he remained until 1993 when he was transferred to HMP Whitemoor. At Whitemoor he was still a Category A Prisoner however he had increased segregation from the other inmates.

In December 1994 Dennis' sentence was reviewed by the then Home Secretary, Michael Howard. His original sentence of "Life Imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years" was replaced with a "Whole Life Tariff". This meant that he would never be released from prison, which Dennis accepted.

Final Years and Death

In 2003 Dennis was transferred back to HMP Full Sutton and remained a Category A Prisoner[16].

In the Prison Workshop Dennis would translate books into Braille. He spent much of his time reading and writing. He would also paint and compose music on a keyboard. He would correspond with various people who sought his attention[16].

He remained in HMP Full Sutton for the rest of his life.

On 10 May 2018 Dennis was taken to York Hospital with severe stomach pains. He was diagnosed with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, which required surgery. Dennis developed a blood clot which was a complication of the surgery and died on 12 May 2018 aged 72 years. Dennis was cremated with his ashes returned to his family[17].

Victims

Dennis is known to have killed at least 12 men/boys his youngest victim was just 14 years old. It is however thought that the true number of his victims was 15[6]. Of the 12 that he killed only 8 have been identified and only 3 of those had a permanent address at the time of their murder[18].

In 1992 Dennis claimed that the true number of his victims (those that died) was 12 and that he had made up the other 3 that he had initially confessed to having killed in his home on Melrose Avenue[19]. He claimed that he did this in response to the pressure he felt he was under during his interviews and to "stick with the figure" that he had initially told the Detectives on his way to Hornsey Police Station. Detective Chief Inspector Jay who had led the investigations dismissed these claims made by Dennis, stating that Nilsen had never given any inconsistencies in the account of each victim in over 30 hours of police interviews[19].

Stephen Dean Holmes aged 14 years

Stephen Dean Holmes aged 14 was murdered by Dennis on 30 December 1978. Stephen was last seen on his way home from a rock concert. Stephen met Dennis in the Cricklewood Arms on 29th December. Dennis invited him back to his home at Melrose Avenue, Cricklewood to drink more alcohol. On the morning of 30th December Dennis strangled Stephen with a necktie until he was unconscious. He then drowned the boy in a bucket of water. Stephen's body was kept beneath the floorboards of his home for 7 months before he was taken into the garden and burned on a bonfire. Stephen is said to have been the only of Dennis' victims not to have been dismembered before he disposed of the remains. The identity of Stephen's remains was announced in November 2006[20].

Kenneth James Ockenden aged 23 years

Kenneth James Ockenden was a 23 year old Canadian Student who was touring the UK at the time of his murder. He met Dennis in the Princess Louise Pub in Holborn, London on 3 December 1979. Dennis took Kenneth on a tour of the London sites before inviting him back to his flat at Melrose Avenue for a meal and drinks. Kenneth was strangled with the cord of Nilsen's headphones which Kenneth was using to listen to music. He was widely reported as a missing person[21].

Martyn Brandon Duffey aged 16 years

Martyn Brandon Duffey was murdered by Dennis on 17 May 1980[22]. Martyn was a 16 year old[6] lad from Birkenhead who had runaway from home. Martyn met Dennis at a London Railway Station. He was strangled and then drowned in the kitchen sink. His body was then bathed and dressed as was Dennis' ritual and was placed beneath the floorboards.

William David Sutherland aged 26 years

William David Sutherland was murder around the 20 August 1980, the exact date is unknown. William was originally from Edinburgh and was a father of one child. William and Dennis met in a pub in Piccadilly Circus. Dennis claims he cannot recall how he murdered William other than he was either standing or kneeling in front of William as he strangled him and when he woke in the morning there was "another dead body"[23].

Unidentified Man aged between 27 and 30 years

Dennis' 5th victim has not been identified. Dennis claimed he was and Irish Labourer around 5' 9" or 5' 10" tall and aged between 27 and 30 years. They met in the Cricklewood Arms in September 1980. In 1992 Dennis claimed he had made this victim up[24].

Unidentified Man aged between 20 and 30 years

Dennis' 6th victim was also unidentified. Dennis described the man as a slender prostitute around 5' 10" tall. He is said to have been either of Filipino or Mexican descent. Dennis said that this man had "gypsy-like" features. They met in the Salisbury Arms in October 1980[25].

Unidentified Man in his 20s

Another as yet unidentified victim, who was described by Dennis as an "English vagrant in his 20s". He encountered his 7th victim in a doorway on Charing Cross Road. Dennis took him home to Melrose Avenue by taxi. He strangled him as he slept and said that his legs moved in a cycling motion as he strangled him. Dennis later claimed that he believed this man's life had been "one of long suffering"[24] and that killing this man had been "as easy as taking candy from a baby"[26].

Unidentified Man aged 25 - 30 years

Dennis' 8th Victim is an unidentified man described by Dennis as a "long-haired hippy" in his late 20s. They met in the West End of London in either November or December 1980. He kept the body of this man beneath his floorboards of his flat. He removed the body and dissected him into 3 pieces and then returned them beneath the floor. A year later he burned the body in his garden. In 1992 Dennis claimed that he an made this victim up[27].

Unidentified Man aged 18 years

The 9th victim is unidentified. Dennis described him as an "18 year old blue eyed Scot" with blonde hair. They met in the Golden Lion Pub in Soho in early January 1981. He was killed at Melrose Avenue after playing a drinking game with Dennis around 4 January however the exact date is unknown. Dennis dissected the young man on 12 January[28].

Unidentified Man early 20s

Dennis recalls very little of his 10th victim and he remains unidentified. He is said to have been in his early 20s, slim with dark hair, around 5' 9" tall and from Belfast. He met the man somewhere in the West End of London after the pubs had closed and strangled him with a necktie and placing his body below the floorboards of his flat in February 1981[28].

Unidentified Man about 20 years

His 11th victim is the last unidentified man to have been murdered by Dennis. He was described as a young muscular English Skinhead who was approximately 20 years old. They met in the April of 1981 at a Food Stall in Leicester Square. He had a tattoo on his neck that said "cut here" and according to Dennis, the young man had boasted about how tough he was. Dennis hung the naked torso of this man in his bedroom for 24 hours before placing it beneath the floorboards. In 1992 Dennis claimed to have made this victim up[29].

Malcolm Stanley Barlow aged 23 years

Malcolm Stanley Barlow was murdered on 18 September 1981, the last victim to be killed at Melrose Avenue, Cricklewood. Malcolm was epileptic and originally from Sheffield. He was an orphan who grew up mostly in the care system. He was murdered after Malcolm returned to Dennis' home to thank him for the medical attention he had received a day earlier. Before being dissected Dennis stored the body of Malcolm in a kitchen cupboard as he had no more room beneath the floorboards[30].

John Peter Howlett aged 23 years

John Peter Howlett was originally from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire[31] and was murdered by Dennis in March 1982. Dennis new his victim as "John the Guardsman"[32]. Dennis murdered John as he lay in Dennis' bed while shouting "It's about time you went"[33]. John was eventually drowned in the bathtub when Dennis held his head under the water for 5 minutes. Dennis dismembered John and flushed his flesh and internal organs down the toilet while he threw "large bones out with the rubbish"[34].

Archibald Graham Allen aged 27 years

Archibald Graham Allen was Dennis' 14th Victim. Another Scot originally from Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Dennis murder him in September 1982[35]. Archibald was strangled with a ligature as he sat and ate an omlette that Dennis had made for him. Archibald was identified by Dental Records and from healed fractures to his jawbone[36]. Dissected portions of his flesh and bones were discovered in the drains of the home at Cranley Gardens.

Stephen Neil Sinclair aged 20 years

Stephen Neil Sinclair was the 15th and final murder victim and was murdered on 26 January 1983 at the flat on Cranley Gardens. Stephen was originally from Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. Stephen was addicted to heroin when he met Dennis and was a self-harmer[37]. They met on Oxford Street, London where Dennis bought him a burger. He suggested that Stephen go back to his flat on Cranley Gardens with him. Stephen drank alchol and used heroin while in the flat after which Stephen was strangled with a ligature. Stephen's head, upper torso and arms were stored in a Tea Chest in Dennis' living room. His lower torso and legs were hidden beneath the bathtub[38].

Sources

  1. ↑ Coffey, Russell "Dennis Nilsen: Conversations with Britain's Most Evil Serial Killer" (Kings Road Publishing 2013) ISBN 978-1-782-19459-0 - Page 190
  2. ↑ Masters, Brian "Killing for Company: The Case of Dennis Nilsen" (Random House 1985) ISBN 978-0-812-83104-7 - Page 132
  3. ↑ Masters, Brian "Killing for Company: The Case of Dennis Nilsen" (Random House 1985) ISBN 978-0-812-83104-7 - Page 119
  4. ↑ Foreman, Laura "Serial Killers" (Time Life Books in Alexandria, Virginia 1992) ISBN 978-0-783-50001-0 - Page 117
  5. ↑ Coffey, Russell "Dennis Nilsen: Conversations with Britain's Most Evil Serial Killer" (Kings Road Publishing 2013) ISBN 978-1-782-19459-0 - Page 15-16
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 BBC News Dennis Nilsen: Serial Killer dies in prison aged 72 article dated 13 May 2018 and accessed on 23 July 2023
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Foreman, Laura "Serial Killers" (Time Life Books in Alexandria, Virginia 1992) ISBN 978-0-783-50001-0 - Page 119
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Coffey, Russell "Dennis Nilsen: Conversations with Britain's Most Evil Serial Killer" (Kings Road Publishing 2013) ISBN 978-1-782-19459-0 - Page 52
  9. ↑ Masters, Brian "Killing for Company: The Case of Dennis Nilsen" (Random House 1985) ISBN 978-0-812-83104-7 - Page 179
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Wikipedia Contributors "Ralph Sam Haeems" Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia (accessed 23 July 2023)
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Nicholson, David "The Times Newspaper - Nilsen given 25 year sentence" (No 61682 London 5 November 1983) - Page 1
    Also available at Newspapers.com paid subscription required
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Wikipedia Contributors "David Croom-Johnson" Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia (accessed 23 July 2023)
  13. ↑ Masters, Brian "Killing for Company: The Case of Dennis Nilsen" (Random House 1985) ISBN 978-0-812-83104-7 - Page 201
  14. ↑ Masters, Brian "Killing for Company: The Case of Dennis Nilsen" (Random House 1985) ISBN 978-0-812-83104-7 - Page 219
  15. ↑ Masters, Brian "Killing for Company: The Case of Dennis Nilsen" (Random House 1985) ISBN 978-0-812-83104-7 - Page 240
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Coffey, Russell "Dennis Nilsen: Conversations with Britain's Most Evil Serial Killer" (Kings Road Publishing 2013) ISBN 978-1-782-19459-0 - Page 276
  17. ↑ "Find a Grave," database with images
    (Find A Grave: Memorial #232778840 : accessed 23 July 2023)
    Memorial page for Dennis Andrew Nilsen (23 Nov 1945-12 May 2018); Maintained by Andrew :) (contributor 50554455).
  18. ↑ Masters, Brian "Killing for Company: The Case of Dennis Nilsen" (Random House 1985) ISBN 978-0-812-83104-7 - Page 202
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Coffey, Russell "Dennis Nilsen: Conversations with Britain's Most Evil Serial Killer" (Kings Road Publishing 2013) ISBN 978-1-782-19459-0 - Page 208
  20. ↑ Serial Killer Dennis Nilsen Confesses to First Murder The Evening Standard published 13 April 2012
  21. ↑ Cawthorne, Nigel "Bodies in the Back Garden - True Stories of Brutal Murders Close to Home" (John Blake Publishing 2014) ISBN 978-1-784-18179-6
  22. ↑ Waddell, Bill "The Black Museum: New Scotland Yard" (Little Brown & Company, London, England 1993) ISBN 978-0-751-51033-1 - Page 196
  23. ↑ Wikipedia Contributors "Dennis Nilsen" Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia (accessed 23 July 2023)
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Coffey, Russell "Dennis Nilsen: Conversations with Britain's Most Evil Serial Killer" (Kings Road Publishing 2013) ISBN 978-1-782-19459-0 - Page 209
  25. ↑ Masters, Brian "Killing for Company: The Case of Dennis Nilsen" (Random House 1985) ISBN 978-0-812-83104-7 - Page 146
  26. ↑ Foreman, Laura "Serial Killers" (Time Life Books in Alexandria, Virginia 1992) ISBN 978-0-783-50001-0 - Page 141
  27. ↑ Coffey, Russell "Dennis Nilsen: Conversations with Britain's Most Evil Serial Killer" (Kings Road Publishing 2013) ISBN 978-1-782-19459-0 - Page 209-210
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Waddell, Bill "The Black Museum: New Scotland Yard" (Little Brown & Company, London, England 1993) ISBN 978-0-751-51033-1 - Page 198
  29. ↑ Coffey, Russell "Dennis Nilsen: Conversations with Britain's Most Evil Serial Killer" (Kings Road Publishing 2013) ISBN 978-1-782-19459-0 - Page 210
  30. ↑ Foreman, Laura "Serial Killers" (Time Life Books in Alexandria, Virginia 1992) ISBN 978-0-783-50001-0 - Page 144
  31. ↑ Coffey, Russell "Dennis Nilsen: Conversations with Britain's Most Evil Serial Killer" (Kings Road Publishing 2013) ISBN 978-1-782-19459-0 - Page 224
  32. ↑ Masters, Brian "Killing for Company: The Case of Dennis Nilsen" (Random House 1985) ISBN 978-0-812-83104-7 - Page 126
  33. ↑ Masters, Brian "Killing for Company: The Case of Dennis Nilsen" (Random House 1985) ISBN 978-0-812-83104-7 - Page 127
  34. ↑ Masters, Brian "Killing for Company: The Case of Dennis Nilsen" (Random House 1985) ISBN 978-0-812-83104-7 - Page 204
  35. ↑ Coffey, Russell "Dennis Nilsen: Conversations with Britain's Most Evil Serial Killer" (Kings Road Publishing 2013) ISBN 978-1-782-19459-0 - Page 229
  36. ↑ Coffey, Russell "Dennis Nilsen: Conversations with Britain's Most Evil Serial Killer" (Kings Road Publishing 2013) ISBN 978-1-782-19459-0 - Page 232
  37. ↑ Masters, Brian "Killing for Company: The Case of Dennis Nilsen" (Random House 1985) ISBN 978-0-812-83104-7 - Page 129
  38. ↑ Masters, Brian "Killing for Company: The Case of Dennis Nilsen" (Random House 1985) ISBN 978-0-812-83104-7 - Page 18




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