The police officer who helped bring notorious serial killer Donald Neilson to justice today said he hoped his death has brought some closure for the families of his victims.

Neilson, dubbed the Black Panther, died in hospital at the age of 75 after 35 years behind bars.

He kidnapped and murdered Midland teenage heiress Lesley Whittle and shot dead three postmasters. He had been told by a judge he would never be freed. Stuart Mackenzie, 64, the officer who helped bring Neilson’s reign of terror to an end, said: “Prison was too good for him.”

The retired officer added: “Neilson has had a life of luxury in jail while the families of his victims have had to work for a living. It really grieves me that their lives have been ruined while he was being looked after, fed and clothed.

“He never showed any remorse. I just hope his death has brought some closure for the families of the people he killed.”

Neilson collapsed with breathing problems at HMP Norwich on Saturday. He was transferred to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and pronounced dead at 6.45pm on Sunday.

Mr Mackenzie, who was given a bravery award by the Queen Mother for bringing Neilson to justice, said: “If we hadn’t got him he would have killed again because he had no qualms about taking lives.”

Neilson was finally caught by PCs Mackenzie and Tony White in December 1975.

Mr Mackenzie said he and Tony White wrestled the killer to the ground and arrested him after he held them at gunpoint.

He said: “We saw him by the side of the road and while we were talking to him he pulled out a sawn-off shotgun. He had planned to take us into Sherwood Forest and blow us away. “

Neilson kidnapped 17-year-old Lesley Whittle from her bed at home in Highley, near Bridgnorth, on January 14, 1975. He had learned she had inherited £82,500 from her father George, who ran Kidderminster-based Whittle’s coach company. Neilson took Lesley to a drainage shaft at Bath Pool in Kidsgrove. Her body was found two months later.

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