Rowntree is one of those cases that although classed as a serial killer, is on the bounds of a spree killer, or mass murderer. As he killed his four victims within the space of one week. Terrorizing Yorkshire at the same time as the Yorkshire Ripper, Rowntree was, so he claims fulfilling "An urge to kill".
Rowntree's first attack was in Bingley on 31st December 1975, posing as a policeman he knocked at the door of Mrs. Joyce Adamson fatally stabbing her through the heart, twice, after burying the weapon he then went for a drink in the local pub, his urge satisfied.
Several days later the urge came again, he brought a new knife, and attacked 16 year old Stephen Wilson who was waiting at a bus stop. Wilson did not die straight away, and while in hospital was able to give a description of his attacker. The description given was;- mid-twenties, shoulder length dark hair, black jacket, and carrying a shoulder bag.
Rowntree was on the run from the attack, he took a taxi ride, it was the taxi driver who finally took police to Rowntree's house some weeks later. On 7th January 1976 he killed a model he had became friendly with, at her house in Leeds, to make sure he was not identified he also killed her three year old son. After getting home from this attack police were waiting for him. He claimed his only regret was that his kill total had not reached five, the same as his hero "The Black Panther" (Donald Nielson).
Rowntree was a know Schizophrenic, at his trial at Leeds crown court in June 1976 he pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. The pleas was accepted, Rowntree was sentenced to serve, without time limit at Rampton
top Security Psychiatric unit. There he remains.
| Kill Total: |
4
|
Kill place: |
Yorkshire |
| Kill date: |
1975 |
Victim(s): |
Joyce Adamson Stephen Wilson |
| Date of Birth: |
Unknown |
Marital Status: |
Unknown |
| AKA: |
Unknown |
Occupation: |
Unknown |
