On 14 January 1975, Neilson travels to Highley, Shropshire and kidnaps Lesley Whittle from her bed. He drives her to Bathpool Park in Kidsgrove, Staffordshire, where he takes her sixty feet underground into a reservoir drainage shaft system. He puts her on a narrow ledge, with food and drink, so nobody can hear or find her. He tightens a steel ligature around her neck to stop her escaping while he is away arranging the ransom. The Whittle family decide to inform the police after discovering Neilsen's ransom note in the house. His demand is for £50,000.
