Man, 92, found guilty of murder in ‘UK’s oldest cold case’

A 92-year-old man has been found guilty of the rape and murder of an elderly widow in what is thought to be the UK’s longest-running cold case ever to be solved.

Ryland Headley, then aged 34, forced entry into the home of 75-year-old Louisa Dunne in Bristol in June 1967 before attacking her.

The mother-of-two’s body was found by neighbours inside her terraced home on Britannia Road in the Easton area of the city on the morning of June 28.

A woman was heard screaming hours before Mrs Dunne, who had been twice widowed and lived alone, was discovered dead.

Mrs Dunne, who was using the front room as a bedroom, was found lying on a pile of old clothes and police found no evidence of any violent struggle in the house.

The case remained unsolved for over 50 years until Avon and Somerset detectives sent off items from the original investigation for DNA testing.

Those results provided a DNA match to Headley, who since the murder had moved to Suffolk, and had served a prison sentence for raping two elderly women in 1977.

Headley, of Clarence Road, Ipswich, denied both charges but was found guilty by the jury at Bristol Crown Court on Monday afternoon, following nine hours and 53 minutes of deliberations. He did not give evidence.

Mr Justice Sweeting told the jury of eight men and four women that he would sentence Headley for the two offences on Tuesday morning.

He told them: “This was a case that has been in the public eye.

“It involved many details which are no doubt distressing. If you are summoned again in the next 10 years for jury service, you are entitled to refuse.”

The trial heard a pathologist concluded Mrs Dunne died from asphyxia due to strangulation from a scarf and pressure on her mouth, with a hand forcibly held over it.

Swabs were taken from Mrs Dunne’s body, which tested positive for semen, but scientific examinations at that time were limited.

Police also recovered a left-hand palm print from an upstairs window at her home, which was compared to 19,000 men and boys in 1967 but none matched the suspect.

Headley, then a railway worker, was living with his wife in Picton Street – around a mile and a half from Mrs Dunne but crucially just outside the geographic area in which men and boys were asked to give prints.

He uprooted his family to London a short time later, then moved to Ipswich, with his palm print never taken in Bristol.

Eventually, police gathered up the material from their investigation – including clothing worn by Mrs Dunne when her body was found – and sealed it away for further work in the future.

All the evidence, including Mrs Dunne’s clothing and other forensic evidence, were boxed up and kept by Avon and Somerset detectives to await advances in science.

In 2023 the case was re-examined and Mrs Dunne’s blue skirt was sent away for forensic testing in May last year.

DNA recovered from the skirt matched Headley to a ratio that meant it was one billion times more likely to be his DNA than that of someone else.

His DNA had been taken by police and uploaded to the national database following an unrelated offence in 2012, which did not result in a charge.

When Headley was arrested at his home in November last year on suspicion of murdering Mrs Dunne, he told detectives: “I don’t know what you are talking about. Very strange, very strange.”

During previous arrests, Headley had provided his fingerprints but had not given palm prints. On the 2012 form, it noted “arthritis in both wrists, palms not flexible”.

This time, Headley’s palm prints were taken and a fingerprint expert found more than 25 characteristics that matched with the 1967 print.

The trial heard Headley had been jailed for the rape of two elderly women in 1977 whose homes he had broken into – threatening them with violence if they did not comply.

He also asked for a further 10 offences of overnight burglaries previously to be taken into account when he was sentenced.

During the 2025 case, Headley used a hearing loop and was assisted by an intermediary. Jurors were told the court would sit for shorter days to enable Headley to maintain concentration.

Jeremy Benson KC, representing Headley, said his client had “no recollection” of having visited Mrs Dunne or having sexual intercourse with her.

“He certainly didn’t rape her and he didn’t kill her,” Mr Benson told the jury in his closing speech.

Speaking after the verdicts, Detective Inspector Dave Marchant, of Avon and Somerset Police, said forces across the country were now examining whether Headley could be linked to other unsolved crimes.

“Ryland Headley has now been convicted of three rapes of elderly women within their own addresses, and in the case of Louisa Dunne, her murder as well,” he told the PA news agency.

“In 1978, when he was sentenced, he admitted to a number of other burglary offences.

“I think there’s every possibility that there are other offences out there – over the 60s, 70s, however long a time period – which Mr Headley could be culpable for.

“We are working with colleagues across the country and other police forces and the National Crime Agency to try to understand and identify those potential further offences, and if possible, can we match them through any forensic techniques etc and if we are able, hopefully then get him before a court to face justice over those matters too.”

Iran could start making nuke within months, warns watchdog chief

Iran could start making a nuclear bomb within months despite Donald Trump’s claims the country’s nuclear sites had been “obliterated”, the UN nuclear watchdog chief warned.

It comes as Iran’s top cleric issued a fatwa against Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for being “enemies of God”, according to Iranian state media.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said US strikes on three sites on 22 June had caused severe but “not total” damage to Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Trump claimed the attack, which hit Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan with 14 30,000-pound “bunker-busting” bombs, had “totally obliterated” Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

But Grossi said: “Frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared and there is nothing there.”

Meanwhile, new satellite imagery revealed construction vehicles including an excavator near one of the Fordow’s shafts.

Images from Maxar Technologies showed that the bombardment had completely caved in entrance tunnels to the site.

Diana’s favourite café risks closure after ‘paying staff in food’

A favourite café of Princess Diana could be forced to close after it was accused of illegally hiring migrants, paying employees in only food, and allowing the unlawful smoking of shisha.

Café Diana, which was named in honour of the former Princess of Wales, could lose its licence, after the Home Office applied for a review, with a hearing set to take place on Thursday.

Diana and her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, quickly became regulars at the café, which is near to Kensington Palace in west London, after she made her first visit within days of its opening in 1989.

Café owner, Abdul-Basit Daoudr Daoud, recalled the princess’s visits after her death. “She started coming more often, bringing the kids here sometimes for breakfast. The kids used to take breakfast, like English breakfast. Herself, she used to have cappuccino, cake, some croissants, something like this. But she sometimes had English breakfast too,” he said, according to The Times.

Shortly before she died in 1997, according to the paper, the princess sent a letter to him, reading: “I wanted to write personally, to thank you so very much for the beautiful flowers you sent for my birthday.”

Café Diana now has dozens of photographs of the princess plastered over its walls, including one given by Diana as a present, and has become a popular tourist spot.

But the business is facing the prospect of having its licence revoked after the Home Office said seven illegal employees were found working there between September 2019 and December 2024, who were from countries such as Egypt and Albania, according to a report published by inspectors from Kensington and Chelsea council.

In interviews, some of these workers claimed they were “paid in food” rather than money. Inspectors said this “raises concerns about labour exploitation taking place at the premises”, the report added.

It is also alleged that, in May this year, a number of customers were discovered smoking shisha in the basement area of the café. Officers seized 45 unlabelled tubs of shisha tobacco.

Mr Daoud told officers that he oversaw the recruitment process, including checking the right-to-work and immigration status of new employees. He said that members of staff were paid in cash, and admitted that some received free food in exchange for working at the café.

The report stated: “Café Diana has been found employing illegal workers. This business has clearly failed to meet the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety objectives.”

Previously, the company running the café was ordered to pay a £135,000 civil penalty in April after it was found to illegally be employing three migrants, according to the report.

In a letter to the council, lawyers for Café Diana’s owners said: “Immediately upon becoming aware of the reported issues, the licensee took swift and decisive action to evict the tenant responsible for the unauthorised activities.”

In the report, the café has suggested that a three-month suspension could be implemented, during which time it said it would ensure right-to-work immigration checks are done for all members of staff.

A ruling will be made by the licensing committee of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on Thursday.

The Independent has contacted Café Diana for comment.

Kyiv claims Moscow has lost 1 million troops after Putin launches largest air attack

The Ukrainian military says it has begun pushing back Russian troops in the northeastern Sumy region, where it is preparing a counteroffensive following advances by Moscow.

Fighting has intensified despite a return to direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in recent months. Russian forces have carved out a 200 square kilometre (77.22 square miles) chunk of Ukraine’s Sumy region and first entered the Dnipropetrovsk region last month.

“Our troops maintain defenses along the designated border, conduct preparation and counter-offensive measures to repel the enemy,” the Ukrainian military’s General Staff said on Facebook.

“Yes, as a result of the successful actions of Ukrainian soldiers, the settlement of Andriyivka was liberated. In addition, our units advanced in the area of Oleksíivka, pushing the opponent away from Sumy.”

The General Staff also claimed on Monday that Russia has lost more than one million troops during its invasion of Ukraine after losing more than 1,000 in the past day alone.

The figures from Kyiv have not been verified by independent sources – but the Center for Strategic & International Studies reported earlier this month that up to 250,000 soldiers have been killed with up to 950,000 casualties.

British-Israeli soldier killed in explosion in Gaza

A British–Israeli soldier has been killed while fighting in northern Gaza, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

The IDF named the soldier as 20-year-old Sergeant Yisrael Natan Rosenfeld from the city of Ra’anana.

It said in a statement issued on Sunday: “SGT Yisrael, a soldier in the 601st Combat Engineering Battalion of the 401st Brigade, fell during combat in northern Gaza.

“The IDF sends its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May his memory be a blessing.”

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it is “looking into reports that an IDF soldier who died in combat in Gaza is a British national”.

Mr Rosenfeld was previously named locally and in Israeli media.

The Times of Israel reported he was killed by an explosive device on Sunday.

The paper said the soldier had moved to Israel from London with his family 11 years ago.

Israel has been operating in Gaza since the Hamas militant group’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel.

More than 860 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the war began, including more than 400 during the fighting in Gaza.

US-led ceasefire efforts have repeatedly stalled.

The Israeli offensive has devastated Gaza and killed more than 56,000 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, a branch of the Hamas government.

The death toll is by far the highest in any round of Israeli-Palestinian fighting.

On Sunday, US president Donald Trump urged progress in ceasefire talks, though some weary Palestinians were sceptical about the chances.

“MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” Mr Trump wrote on social media early in the morning, after raising expectations on Friday by saying there could be an agreement within the next week.

Ron Dermer, a top adviser to prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was set to travel to Washington this week for talks on a ceasefire, an Israeli official said, and plans were being made for Mr Netanyahu to travel there in the coming weeks, a sign there may be movement on a deal.

Mr Netanyahu was meeting with his security Cabinet on Sunday evening, the official said on condition of anonymity to discuss plans that had not been finalized.

Meanwhile, Israel issued a new mass evacuation order for parts of northern Gaza.

The 7 best outdoor adventures in Sydney and New South Wales

Whether you’re lacing up your hiking boots, throwing on a wetsuit to catch some waves, or hitting the wide-open roads of New South Wales (NSW) by campervan, this Australian state is home to some of the country’s most exciting outdoor adventures – all easily accessible thanks to Qantas’ extensive domestic network.

Flying into Sydney with Qantas is the ideal way to experience a slice of Australia before you’ve even landed. And with onboard wellbeing perks, plus the option to book more discounted domestic legs using Qantas Explorer, it really is the savvy traveller’s best way to explore Australia.

Here are seven next-level outdoor adventures in NSW, and the best way to get there.

Sydney might be a modern metropolis, but it’s also home to an extraordinary natural playground, the star attraction of which is Sydney Harbour National Park. This protected area weaves through the city’s coastline, offering walking trails, secluded beaches, and panoramic views that blend wild bushland with iconic urban landmarks. Away from the National Park, you can paddle a kayak at dawn beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge, go on a cycle tour and sunset cruise around Manly and North Heads coastal cliffs, or follow the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk for sweeping ocean views and refreshing swim spots.

Just a 90-minute trip from Sydney by road, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains is an endless landscape of towering eucalyptus forests and striking sandstone cliffs as far as the eye can see. There are few places quite as grand as this so close to a city. Don your hiking boots and traverse spectacular scenery to Wentworth Falls or take on the Grand Canyon Track – a 6km loop of dramatic cliffs, fern-fringed valleys and thundering waterfalls with lookouts to match. If you’re an early riser, watch the sunrise at Echo Point, where the Three Sisters rock formation is lit up by the glow of first light.

Wildlife lovers need to head north to Port Macquarie for some of the best marine encounters on the east coast. Humpback whales are almost guaranteed from May to November, and dolphins can be spotted all year round. For front-row views, jump on a whale-watching cruise, or pitch up with a picnic on a headland and watch the breaching giants from afar.

Swap the sandy beaches for subtropical rainforest in Coffs Harbour’s hinterland in Dorrigo National Park, where winding roads serpentine through flourishing banana plantations, dense palm-filled forest and endless rolling hills. The region’s cycling trails range from casual loops to more challenging rides with jaw-to-the-floor sea views.

Aussies love their surfing, and Byron Bay is the epitome of surf culture Down Under, with beaches to suit all skill levels; from the gentle swell at The Pass to barrel-laden breaks at Tallows. If you’ve got any stamina left, soak up the view from Cape Byron Lighthouse post-surf – the easternmost point of mainland Australia.

With over 8,000 islands to its name, Australia offers the ultimate in island adventures. Lord Howe is one of them, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed pristine island, where only 400 visitors are allowed at any one time. You’ll find rare birds, kaleidoscopic coral reefs, and Mount Gower, offering one of the best day hikes in the country, with epic coastline views and dizzying drops.

For those who need more than a beach stroll to get the heart pumping, grab a kayak and explore the Sapphire Coast from the water in Merimbula. Glide over crystal-clear waters, past secluded coves, pristine beaches, and the untouched beauty of surrounding national parks. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life as you paddle. Once back on shore, refuel with the region’s famous fresh oysters and enjoy a refreshing dip at Bar Beach.

Book your flight to Sydney today at qantas.com and start your Australian adventure.

Met Police will not charge Kneecap over ‘kill your MP’ video

Kneecap will not face charges over a video that appeared to show one member say “Kill your MP”, police have said.

The Metropolitan Police said the Irish rap group group will not be prosecuted for comments allegedly made at a concert in November 2023, when one member was recorded saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

The investigation was separate from the ongoing case against band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara.

The rapper was charged over the alleged displaying of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town on 21 November last year.

He has denied the charges, calling them a “distraction” from the plight of Palestinians. The band have been ardent campaigners against Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

Kneecap have said they “do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah”.

The Metropolitan Police said it had dropped its investigation into the “Kill your MP” comments due to the statutory time limit for prosecution expiring.

The statement from the force read:“A thorough investigation has now been completed by detectives from the Counter Terrorism Command, which included interviewing an individual under caution and seeking early investigative advice from the Crown Prosecution Service. A range of offences were considered as part of the investigation. However, given the time elapsed between the events in the video and the video being brought to police attention, any potential summary only offences were beyond the statutory time limit for prosecution.

“Relevant indictable offences were considered by the investigation team and, based on all of the current evidence available, a decision has been made that no further action will be taken at this time.

“We understand the impact this decision may have on MPs and their staff. The safety and security of MPs is something that is taken extremely seriously across the whole of policing. MPs who may be concerned about their safety can contact their dedicated local Operation Bridger officer, who can provide further advice and support.”

The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Ames after the clips circulated publicly.

However, Ó hAnnaidh insisted that the entire ordeal had been blown out of proportion and was a “joke”.

“Why should I regret it?” he told The Guardian. “It was a joke – we’re playing characters, it’s satirical, it’s a f***ing joke. And that’s not the point. The point is, that wasn’t an issue until we said ‘Free Palestine’ at Coachella.”

The Irish rap group performed at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday in one of the most talked-about shows of the weekend.

In the run-up to the festival, several politicians called for Kneecap to be removed from the line-up, with prime minister Keir Starmer saying it would be “inappropriate” for the band to play.

During the show, member Naoise O Caireallain, who performs under the stage name Moglai Bap, told the crowd: “The prime minister of your country, not mine, said he didn’t want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer.”

The group then led the crowd in chants of “f*** Keir Starmer” and “Free Palestine”.

Avon and Somerset Police are currently assessing the footage of comments made by both Kneecap and another act, Bob Vylan, at Glastonbury to decide whether any offences may have been committed.

Glastonbury organisers said they were “appalled” by remarks made by Bob Vylan – who chanted “Death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]” – which Emily Eavis said “crossed a line”.

Is cheese good for your gut? Here’s what the science says

For years, cheese has been the dietary scapegoat. Too fatty. Too salty. Too indulgent. The sort of food you sheepishly enjoy in dim lighting with the fridge door ajar. But increasingly, this beloved dairy product is undergoing a quiet redemption arc – one fuelled not by fad diets or viral trends, but by something far more persuasive: gut science.

“Cheese has been unfairly demonised for decades, mainly because of its saturated fat content. But that narrative is outdated,” says Professor Tim Spector, epidemiologist, author and co-founder of the ZOE health study.

“Recent science shows that saturated fats in whole foods like cheese don’t behave the same way as those in heavily processed foods. In fact, moderate cheese consumption doesn’t raise cholesterol in the way we once feared, and according to large epidemiology studies, appears pretty good for us, actually reducing heart disease risk.”

What’s more, cheese isn’t just harmless – it might be actively helpful. “Cheese is a fermented food, and many varieties contain live healthy bacteria – or what we now refer to as probiotics – which play a really important role in our gut health,” Spector explains. “So no, the old reputation isn’t deserved anymore. We should rethink cheese as a gut-friendly food when it’s the right kind, and part of a diverse, whole-food-rich diet.”

That caveat – “the right kind” – is crucial. Because not all cheeses are created equal. Some deliver microbial benefits that rival kefir or sauerkraut. Others are little more than creamy imposters, offering all the indulgence with none of the gut payoff. So, which cheeses deserve a regular spot on your cheeseboard – and which ones are better left in the supermarket plastic tray?

The best cheeses for gut health tend to be those that are raw, unpasteurised, traditionally aged or made using live cultures. They’re often made with minimal processing and are rich in microbial diversity. Think farmhouse classics rather than shrink-wrapped singles.

“Not all cheeses are created equal. If you’re looking for potential gut health benefits, artisan cheeses – especially those that are raw or unpasteurised, or traditionally aged – tend to contain more diverse microbes. Most real cheeses contain some live microbes,” says Spector.

Blue cheeses, like Roquefort or Stilton, are prime examples. “You get a greater diversity in those like roquefort or stilton that have blue moulds injected,” he says. “Or aged dry cheeses like cheddars, Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire or aged goudas, and some alpine-style cheeses like Comté or goat’s cheeses. In soft cheeses of high quality, you can virtually see the microbes growing and spreading at room temperature (like bries, and epoisses).”

UK cheese lovers are already on the right track. Brits consume around 12kg of cheese per person per year, and while Cheddar accounts for over half of household cheese sales, there’s growing interest in artisan, goat and even blue cheeses. (Stilton, incidentally, now has Protected Designation of Origin status, making it both patriotic and probiotic.)

One of the most common concerns around cheese and digestion is lactose. While milk and some soft dairy products can cause bloating or discomfort in people with lactose intolerance, many cheeses – especially aged ones – are naturally low in lactose.

During the ageing process, bacteria break down much of the lactose in the cheese. Hard cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, comté and aged gouda typically contain only trace amounts, making them far more tolerable for those who struggle with dairy. Goat’s and sheep’s milk cheeses are also often easier to digest due to their slightly different fat and protein structure.

So if milk doesn’t sit well with you, don’t write off cheese altogether. Choosing the right variety could mean enjoying its flavour – and its gut benefits – without the digestive fallout.

There’s more to gut-friendly cheese than just buying the right block. What you eat with it matters too. The magic happens when you pair cheese with fibre-rich, plant-based foods that help feed the microbes you’re introducing.

Try teaming a wedge of mature cheddar with slices of apple or pear, layering goat’s cheese onto lentil or beetroot salads, or adding aged gruyère to a slice of wholegrain sourdough with a spoonful of sauerkraut. Even a ploughman’s lunch can be microbiome-supportive if you pile on the pickled onions and raw veg.

The goal? Synergy. You’re combining live cultures or postbiotic-rich cheese with the prebiotic fibre that nourishes your existing gut bacteria. And no, this doesn’t mean you can’t have a gooey baked camembert – just maybe serve it with roasted chicory or leeks instead of a family-sized baguette.

As with many things in nutrition, processing is the problem. The more refined and stabilised a cheese is, the less it offers in terms of microbial value.

“Don’t expect any live microbes on cheap pizza cheeses, or those that have been frozen or in spray cans,” says Spector. That includes many shredded supermarket blends, pre-sliced sandwich fillers and processed cheese spreads – though he concedes that some of the latter “contain at least two to three species of microbes, so have some benefits”.

Still, if gut health is your goal, it’s worth prioritising quality over convenience. Fortunately, UK consumption of processed cheese is on the decline, hovering at just 0.8-1kg per person per year. A small slice, you might say, of the total dairy picture.

If you’re imagining a battalion of probiotic bacteria marching through your gut after a bite of brie, you wouldn’t be entirely wrong. But there’s more to the story than just live cultures.

“It’s not just about live probiotics,” Spector explains. “While some cheeses do contain beneficial live microbes, what’s exciting is that even dead bacteria and bacterial fragments – recently called postbiotics (I like zombie microbes) – support gut health. These can interact with our immune system or feed existing gut microbes, stimulating diversity or beneficial activity indirectly.”

Cheese also contains bioactive compounds produced during fermentation, such as peptides, short-chain fatty acids and lipids, which may influence the immune system and overall gut function. In other words, the benefits of cheese don’t die with the microbes.

Should you swap your kefir for camembert? Not quite. While good cheese can certainly contribute to gut health, its impact depends on variety, quality and quantity.

“Cheese can be an excellent contributor to a gut-friendly diet, especially if it’s a raw or traditionally made variety that can house over 20 species,” says Spector. “But if we’re honest, the average budget cheeses’ impact on gut microbial diversity is probably modest compared to powerhouse fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, kombucha and sauerkraut, which are teeming with a wider range of live microbes.”

So think of cheese not as a probiotic powerhouse, but as a valuable team player. As Spector puts it: “Rather than thinking of cheese as a silver bullet, think of it as one part of a broader, diverse dietary approach that includes many minimally processed whole foods. And yes, that includes enjoying good cheese ideally with some fruits or sauerkraut – in moderation of course.”