Born in 1939 Jebson was discharged from the
army in 1958 on medical grounds, he was separated from his
wife and had a daughter. He was an illegitimate child who
had been brought up by foster parents.
Susan Blatchford aged 11, and her 12 year-old friend Gary
Hanlon vanished from their homes in north London in March
1970. Their bodies were found several months later in a
copse in Lippitts Hill close to Epping forest, and 6 miles
from their homes. The newspapers at the time nicknamed the
case "Babes in the wood". On the day they disappeared
Susan had called round at Gary's home in Enfield and had
asked him to go for a walk. When they failed to return 600
police officers searched the area.
At the inquest an open verdict was recorded, no suspect
was identified despite the high profile of the case.
Police and the families still maintained that the children
were murdered.
By 1974 Jebson, who was a known paedophile with 11
previous convictions, including three for sexual offences
against children, had been staying with Rosemary' Papper's
parents but when they told him he was no longer welcome,
the child killer swore revenge. Neighbours recall the
phrase: "I will do something you will regret." On 9th June
1974 he strangled Rosemary as he raped her.
At St Albans Crown Court in 1974 Mr Justice Kenneth Jones
recommended he serve at least 20 years for the murder of
Rosemary Papper.
In 1996 the "Babes in the wood" case we re-opened,
attention focused on Jebson, after he gave police a list
of suspects for the murders. And in 1998 he confessed to
the murders.
In 1999 the body of Susan Blatchford was exhumed, although
forensic tests could not take place, police were
interested in other tests.
Tuesday 8th May 2000 Jebson was given two further
life sentences at the Old Bailey, after pleading guilty to
the murders of Susan and Gary 30 years previously.
