THE man who led West Mercia’s police force at the time of the murder of Highley teenager, Lesley Whittle, has visited the force’s headquarters to sign copies of his autobiography.
The case of Lesley Whittle, 17, who was kidnapped from the family home and killed by Donald Neilson, dubbed the Black Panther by the media at the time, was one of the biggest during Alex Rennie’s time as Chief Constable of the then West Mercia Constabulary.
Neilson was arrested 11 months later and subsequently convicted of both kidnap and murder.
Mr Rennie met Paul West, current Chief Constable of the recently renamed West Mercia Police, almost 30 years since he retired from the post.
The 91-year-old, who lives in Droitwich, was at Hindlip Hall, near Worcester, to sign copies of his recently published autobiography, From Farm Hand to Chief Constable.
He left school at 14 and joined Durham County Constabulary in 1937, aged 19. Mr Rennie served in the RAF and the Army during the Second World War.
He returned to Durham County Constabulary in 1945 before transferring to Shropshire Constabulary as Deputy Chief Constable in 1963.
Shropshire Constabulary, Herefordshire, Worcester City and Worcester County forces subsequently amalgamated to form West Mercia Constabulary in 1967.
He became Assistant Chief Constable of West Mercia in 1974 and took up the Chief Constable’s post in 1975.
Mr West said: “Mr Rennie had a fine and distinguished policing career in addition to his outstanding military service during World War Two. This book gives a fascinating insight into the life of a quite extraordinary man.”
Mr Rennie received both the CBE and QPM (Queens Police Medal) in 1980. It has taken him three years to pen his autobiography.
He said: “It is fantastic to see my book in print. I wrote the book due to pressure from my family who are spread all over the world.
“Writing it was therapeutic, it was good for me.”
The biography can be bought from M&D Books High Street, Droitwich or ordered through publisher, Bound Biographies Ltd, on 01869 232911 or by visiting the website at arennie.co.uk
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