S18E01 | Susan Date (Watchet, Somerset, 1968)

In November 1968, the quiet coastal town of Watchet in Somerset was rocked by a murder that would haunt its residents for decades.

15-year-old Susan Date was found dead on the beach at Helwell Bay, just a short distance from her home. Her injuries pointed to a brutal and deeply personal attack.

Police quickly focused their investigation on a local man with learning difficulties — but with no physical evidence, a trial that never concluded, and a suspect deemed unfit to stand trial, the case was left unresolved. Decades later, serious questions remain about whether the right person was ever truly identified.

Now, over half a century later, Susan’s family is calling for the case to be reopened. But with time slipping away and the police showing no interest in reopening the case, the chances of justice being served grow increasingly uncertain.

Join my Patreon community at patreon.com/britishmurders for exclusive perks, including early access to ad-free episodes, bonus episodes and content, exciting giveaways, and welcome goodies!

Follow me on social media:
Facebook | British Murders with Stuart Blues
Instagram | @britishmurders
TikTok | @britishmurders

Join the private Facebook group:
British Murders Podcast - Discussion Group

Intro music:⁣
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣
davidjohnbrady.com

Disclaimer:
The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

References:
“20-HOUR MURDER QUICK” FOR MAN WITH MIND OF A CHILD. (1969, June 24). Daily Mirror, 9.
Another man helps in murder inquiry. (1968, November 20). Grimsby Daily Telegraph, 1.
BEACH GIRL: MAN IS CHARGED. (1968, December 16). Daily Mirror, 6.
“Child” man quizzed for 20 hours - Q.C. (1969, June 23). Bristol Evening Post, 2.
Death charge “confession” stops trial. (1969, June 27). Western Daily Press, 9.
Fishermen quizzed in murder hunt. (1968, November 15). Evening News (London), 2.
Girl, 15, found dead on cliffs. (1968, November 14). Birmingham Mail, 1.
Girl, 15 “made life hell.” (1969, June 21). Western Daily Press, 9.
Girl, aged 15, “was blackmailing lover.” (1969, June 20). Western Daily Press, 7.
Girl-on-rocks murder hunt stepped up. (1968, November 14). Liverpool Echo, 30.
Girl’s body was thrown off cliff, court told. (1969, June 20). Nottingham Guardian, 7.
Huge hunt for West girl’s killer. (1968, November 14). Bristol Evening Post, 1–2.
Hunt for girl’s killer. (1968, November 15). Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 1.
IDENTITY CHECK IN WEST MURDER PROBE. (1968, November 16). Bristol Evening Post, 1–2.
In fear? No, QC is told. (1969, June 25). Western Daily Press, 3.
KILLER HUNT: A NEW POLICE APPEAL. (1968, December 13). Western Daily Press, 1.
King, J. (1968, November 18). MURDER QUIZ GOES BACK TO CLASSROOM. Daily Express, 11.
Lennon, K. M. (2023, April 21). So I reported my Auntie Susan Date murder in 1968 as a crime report today and this is  @ASPolice  response.Even though I have stated there were other suspects! Not good enough.Alfred Talbot is not the murderer! A simpleton who you put in a mental institution & he never stood trial!X.com. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://x.com/Kimarielennon/status/1649487614175485952
Man accused of murder. (1968, December 16). Birmingham Daily Post, 22.
Man denies murder. (1969, February 14). Bristol Evening Post, 14.
Man is charged with Lovers’ Point murder. (1968, December 16). Daily Express, 7.
Man “unfit to plead.” (1969, June 26). Bristol Evening Post, 1.
Murder hunt for shoes. (1968, November 21). Daily Express, 7.
Murder hunt: fresh appeal by police. (1968, December 10). Bristol Evening Post, 10.
MURDER HUNT ON SHIP. (1968, November 21). Cornish Guardian, 1.
Murder inquiry stepped up. (1968, November 22). Hull Daily Mail, 1.
Murder squad at girl’s funeral. (1968, December 4). Western Daily Press, 1.
Murder trial ends after “confession” in box is retracted. (1969, June 27). Nottingham Guardian, 3.
MURDER TRIAL HALTED. (1969, June 26). Cambridge Daily News, 1.
Murder trial told girl “strangled.” (1969, June 20). Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 1.
Nursery games on the murder night. (1969, June 26). Western Daily Press, 5.
Ship held for quiz on murder. (1968, November 15). Bristol Evening Post, 2.
Slight, D. (1968, November 15). SHIP IS BOARDED IN HUNT FOR KILLER OF GIRL ON BEACH. Daily Mirror, 2.
SOLDIERS QUIZZED ON DEAD GIRL. (1968, November 14). Evening News (London), 1.
Strangled girl “was blackmailer” - COURT TOLD. (1969, June 20). Manchester Evening News, 5.
Sub-normal man quizzed 20 hours - Q.C. (1969, June 24). Belfast News-Letter, 5.
Susan: 60 hunt beach for clues. (1968, November 22). Western Daily Press, 1.
Susan: Man leaves police H.Q. (1968, November 21). Liverpool Daily Post, 7.
SUSAN: MAN TO STAND TRIAL. (1969, February 14). Western Daily Press, 5.
Thorne, J. (2023, May 12). Niece campaigning for 55-year-old Watchet murder case to be re-opened. West Somerset Free Press. https://www.wsfp.co.uk/news/niece-campaigning-for-55-year-old-watchet-murder-case-to-be-re-opened-613334
TOWN ON TRIAL. (1968, November 19). Western Daily Press, 1.~
WATCHET: MAN ACCUSED. (1968, December 16). Western Daily Press, 1.