
5. Finally, Face to Face
30/12/2025 | 34 min
The monster becomes a man, British policing is changed forever and deposed Detective Bob Booth has a final shot at redemption in the Lesley Whittle case.Hear a chilling account of heroic acts and the actual voice of 'The Black Panther'.Presenter: Susan Hanks. Producer: Susan Hanks and Rob Howell. Sounds Producer: Rob Howell. Story Consultant: Luke Eldridge. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producers: Arran Bee and Aftab Gulzar. Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin.ARCHIVE: Bob Booth’s secret recording audio sourced from ‘Real Crime – The Heiress & The Kidnapper’ produced by ITV, 2002

4. Fear of the Monster
23/12/2025 | 30 min
As Bob Booth’s reputation plummets, 'The Black Panther's' is reinforced in the minds of an increasingly terrified population.For the first time, we begin to discover the motivation behind his actions and why he targeted Lesley Whittle.This series contains rare and original archive, some not broadcast since the time.Presenter: Susan Hanks. Producer: Susan Hanks and Rob Howell. Sounds Producer: Rob Howell. Story Consultant: Luke Eldridge. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producers: Arran Bee and Aftab Gulzar. Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin.

3. An Extraordinary Plan
16/12/2025 | 30 min
Faced with deceptions and dead-ends, Detective Chief Superintendent Bob Booth devises an audacious plan to catch the so-called ‘Black Panther' and save Lesley Whittle.What follows is an elaborate deception of his own, involving the Whittle family and an unsuspecting national media.This series contains rare and original archive, some not broadcast since the time.Presenter: Susan Hanks. Producer: Susan Hanks and Rob Howell. Sounds Producer: Rob Howell. Story Consultant: Luke Eldridge. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producers: Arran Bee and Aftab Gulzar. Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin.

2. The Career Criminal
09/12/2025 | 19 min
The case takes a dramatic turn when a seemingly unconnected crime reveals a chilling back-story. Lesley Whittle’s kidnapper is far more dangerous than they imagined.'Perfect detective' Bob Booth is faced with a far-from-perfect investigation and the growing realisation that they’re dealing with a monster.This series contains rare and original archive, some not broadcast since the time.Presenter: Susan Hanks. Producer: Susan Hanks and Rob Howell. Sounds Producer: Rob Howell. Story Consultant: Luke Eldridge. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producers: Arran Bee and Aftab Gulzar. Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin.ARCHIVE : Dudley news report sourced from ‘ATV Today’ produced by ATV. Bob Booth commentary sourced from ‘Real Crime – The Heiress & The Kidnapper’ produced by ITV.

1. The Perfect Detective
02/12/2025 | 32 min
Detective Chief Superintendent Robert 'Bob' Booth from West Mercia Police is tested by the rarest of crimes. He faces an unprecedented challenge after 17-year-old Lesley Whittle is kidnapped from her home in Highley, Shropshire, and a ransom note is found. The case gripped the nation in 1975 and created widespread public fear.This series contains rare and original archive, some not broadcast since the time.Presenter: Susan Hanks. Producer: Susan Hanks and Rob Howell. Sounds Producer: Rob Howell. Story Consultant: Luke Eldridge. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producers: Arran Bee and Aftab Gulzar. Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin.ARCHIVE : Bob Booth commentary sourced from ‘Real Crime – The Heiress & The Kidnapper’ produced by ITV.



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