Expectant father convicted of murder in alley killing

A barking dog initially sounded the alert that something was amiss. When the dog’s owner investigated what was agitating his pet he discovered the body of a teenage girl who had been severely assaulted and strangled – and he caught sight of the perpetrator. Pamela Hannah Edwards was only 16 when she was killed in a dimly-lit alleyway close to her home in a murder which stunned the tight-knit community of Sandfields in Port Talbot . It quickly became apparent that the perpetrator was from

the same neighbourhood and actually knew the victim. Miss Edwards was a cheerful and outgoing young woman and after finishing at Glan Afan Comprehensive School she got a job on a stall in Aberavon Market Hall. On the evening of October 9, 1969, the teenager – from Adare Street in Sandfields – went to the Gas Works’ Club in Aberavon with friends. Also present at the club that evening was 21-year-old William James Totterdale, a recently-wed man and expectant father. Throughout the evening Totterdale and

several male companions departed the social club to visit the Vivian Hotel before he returned on his own to the Gas Works’ Club. Later that night Miss Edwards and Totterdale left the club in rapid succession. It appears the pair travelled to a lane off Newbridge Road near the River Afan but precisely what transpired next only one person truly knows. At approximately 11pm off-duty British Transport Police officer Thomas Breeze was making his way home when he noticed his dog Suzie barking frantically and

persistently from the back shed where she was housed. Upon investigating Mr Breeze discovered the body of Miss Edwards in a rear lane off Newbridge Road, partially clothed and bearing severe injuries to her head. He also spotted Totterdale walking away from the scene with his shirt undone, clothing in disarray, and dirt visible on his knees. Police were promptly notified and the area was sealed off. In the early hours of the next morning officers attended Totterdale’s home in Owen’s Place and placed him

under arrest. He was escorted to the police station and interviewed regarding his whereabouts the previous evening. When questioned about the condition of his clothing he claimed to have been involved in a brawl. South Wales Police detective inspector Douglas Killick later stated that Totterdale appeared “dazed” throughout his interview, biting his nails and repeatedly “wetting his fingertips”. He remarked of Totterdale: “He was speaking more to himself than to us. I would say he was in a shocked condition.” Totterdale was subsequently charged with

Miss Edwards’ murder and, just 12 hours after the young woman’s body was discovered, he appeared before Port Talbot Magistrates’ Court where he was remanded in custody. The case proceeded to trial at the Glamorgan Assizes Court – the predecessor of today’s crown court – sitting in Cardiff in February 1970 with Totterdale being represented by distinguished Welsh barrister Tasker Watkins VC QC. The accused denied murder claiming that on the evening in question – and unbeknown to him at the time – he was

experiencing hypoglycaemia, a condition where blood sugar levels drop significantly below normal, and stated he must have lost consciousness. Giving evidence Totterdale told the jury that during a typical Thursday evening out with friends he would consume eight or nine pints of beer or cider. He confirmed he had been acquainted with Miss Edwards and that he had accompanied her home on a prior occasion. He explained that on the night in question he had consumed seven and a half pints and that he and

Miss Edwards had departed the club and proceeded down the lane together where they kissed. He said he then began feeling dizzy and couldn’t recall what happened next. He told the court: “The next thing I remember was a man standing beside his car. I shouted to him somebody was dead. I looked behind me and saw something white lying on the floor. I guessed it was Pamela. I went back and knelt beside her and then got frightened and walked home.” During cross-examination by

prosecution barrister Phillip Owen the defendant rejected claims that he had harboured romantic feelings towards Miss Edwards and insisted he had sought nothing beyond kissing in the alleyway. He refuted suggestions that he had lost his temper upon failing to “get his way” with the teenager and attempting to “force that which she was not willing to give”. The court received evidence from a post-mortem examination which established Miss Edwards had endured “considerable physical violence about the head and face” with the cause of death

determined to be asphyxia resulting from strangulation. No evidence of sexual assault was found. Home Office pathologist Owen Glynn Williams concurred with the prosecution barrister that the assault on the teenager had been “frenzied and maniacal”. The court additionally heard testimony from medical specialists who confirmed the defendant had been suffering from hypoglycaemia. Professor Robert Mahler from the Welsh National School of Medicine in Cardiff informed the jury that common symptoms of the condition included trembling, fear, and “irrational behaviour in public”. When questioned by

the judge as to whether alcohol produced a comparable effect the professor responded that the manifestations may have been the same. The court also received testimony from psychiatrist John Hughes who stated that after examining Totterdale on three separate occasions he could find no evidence of any mental disorder. A further psychiatrist, Dennis John Power, informed the jury that in his professional opinion the defendant had been fully aware of his actions at the time of the incident. Addressing the jury he said: “He clearly

appreciates the difference between right and wrong, appreciates the charge, and realises the purpose of the court. I think he is perfectly fit to plead. It is now my opinion that he knew what he was doing at the time.” However the jury also heard a contrasting viewpoint from forensic expert professor Francis Camps who argued that no-one could rule out the possibility that the defendant had been experiencing a hypoglycaemic episode at the time and that in his assessment Totterdale had been unaware of

his actions. In his closing argument defence barrister Mr Watkins urged the jury to acquit the defendant of murder and instead return a verdict of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He said: “What has puzzled many people in this case is why such a brutal attack could have been perpetrated on this poor young innocent little girl.” In his summing up Mr Justice Nield instructed the jury to examine the medical and witness evidence and advised them they need not pass judgement on

Totterdale’s behaviour in “going with this girl with his wife at home expecting a child” as “that is a matter you are not concerned with”. He reminded the jurors that Miss Edwards had endured “fearful violence” and while there was no question she had perished at the defendant’s hands “a crime of murder is only committed if there is a specific intent and you must decide was there an intent to murder the girl”. Following approximately 65 minutes of deliberation the all-male jury of 12

found Totterdale guilty of murder. Mr Justice Nield addressed the defendant: “You have been found guilty of murder and I impose the prescribed sentence of life imprisonment.” Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice .

Pamela Hannah Edwards, William James Totterdale, Port Talbot, Sandfields, murder trial, hypoglycaemia, strangulation, Glamorgan Assizes Court, Owen's Place