2 December 2025

33 minutes

Available for over a year

Detective Chief Superintendent Robert 'Bob' Booth from West Mercia Police is tested by the rarest of crimes.

He faces an unprecedented challenge after 17-year-old Lesley Whittle is kidnapped from her home in Highley, Shropshire, and a ransom note is found.

The case gripped the nation in 1975 and created widespread public fear.

This series contains rare and original archive, some not broadcast since the time.

Presenter: Susan Hanks.

Producer: Susan Hanks and Rob Howell.

Sounds Producer: Rob Howell.

Story Consultant: Luke Eldridge.

Online Producer: Rachael Smith.

Executive Producers: Arran Bee and Aftab Gulzar.

Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin.

ARCHIVE : Bob Booth commentary sourced from ‘Real Crime – The Heiress & The Kidnapper’ produced by ITV.