2nd May 1952: John Straffen, a 22 year old Broadmoor patient, in a police car on his way to
Reading Magistrates court to answer charges of murdering 5yr old Linda Bowyer.
(Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

John Thomas Straffen who was found to be insane at his murder trial. He escaped
 from Broadmoor and was free for four hours before being recaptured.
(Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

Winchester, England, 1952, Serial killer John Straffen seen here being escorted by police officers
into Winchester Court House during his murder trial. (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images)

Winchester, England, July 1952, Serial killer John Straffen seen here being escorted by police officers
into Winchester Court House during his murder trial. (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images)

John Straffen

John Straffen was sentenced to death but the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

John Straffen was Britain's longest-serving prisoner.

John Straffen

Somerset, England, 1951. A Police officer guards the crime scene where 9 year old Cecily Batstone
was found murdered. (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images)

Circa 1950's, Portrait of Brenda Goddard, murder victim of serial killer John Straffen
(Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images)

Circa 1950's, Portrait of Linda Bowyer, murder victim of serial killer John Straffen.
(Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images)

John Tomas Straffen biography