Lesley’s killer loses jail appeal

Ronald Castree

A Shaw man who stabbed to death 11-year-old Rochdale schoolgirl Lesley Molseed 33 years ago, has failed in his bid to challenge his conviction and sentence.

Comic book dealer, Ronald Castree (55) formerly of Brandon Crescent, was seeking permission to launch an appeal against his conviction, but appeal Judge Lord Justice Latham sitting at Leeds Crown Court with Mr Justice Grigson and Mr Justice McDuff, rejected his application.

Castree’s barrister, Ronald Jameson QC, had sought to challenge the validity of crucial DNA evidence.

The samples were found on sticky tape used to examine Lesley’s underwear. The tape was re-discovered and examined in 1999, despite the clothing having been destroyed.

Mr Jameson had argued that the court had to be sure there could have been no contamination of the tapes at any point between 1975 and 1999.

But Mr Justice McDuff told the court that, just as it was a one–in–one–billion chance the DNA on the tape could have been from another man, it was similarly unlikely that contamination could have taken place.

Castree’s appeal to reduce his 30-year minimum jail term was also thrown out.

Mr Jameson told the judges: “This is unquestionably a death sentence for him.”

But, in the judgement, Lord Justice Latham said: “This was without doubt a horrific murder. The sexual violence was not in itself of the worst kind but the actual killing was a savage attack with a knife.

“It merited the most severe punishment.”

Lesley’s family spoke of their relief after the hearing, saying this was the end the road for Ronald Castree (55) who was convicted of her murder in November last year.

After the hearing yesterday, Lesley’s sister Laura Anderson said: “I’m not going to give him another thought.”

Lesley was abducted in October, 1975, from near her home in Delamere Road as she ran an errand for her mother.

Her body was later found on Rishworth Moor on the A672 Oldham Road.

She had been stabbed 12 times.

Tax clerk Stefan Kiszko, from Rochdale, spent 16 years behind bars before his conviction was overturned in one of the most notorious miscarriages of justice.