He murdered Gillian Atkins, aged 14, in April 1983 in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire. He sexually assaulted her before bashing her over the head with a brick.
France confessed to killing Gillian accidentally, hitting her over the head with a piece of wood. Whilst in prison awaiting trial, his solicitor received an anonymous letter claiming that France was not the murderer, but that the author had committed the offence. It also provided a sketch and a description of where he had left the brick with which he had killed her.
The handwriting was compared with that of France, but experts were unable to say that they matched. However a fingerprint was found on the letter, and using a newly developed laser technique for enhancing fingerprint detail, 16 identifying characteristics were found, proving that France had written the letter.
| Kill Total: |
1 |
Kill place: |
Lincolnshire |
| Kill date: |
14th April 1983 |
Victim(s): |
Gillian Atkins |
| Date of Birth: |
Unknown |
Marital Status: |
Unknown |
| AKA: |
Unknown |
Occupation: |
Unknown |
