HM Prison Full Sutton

Her Majesty's Prison Service

Thames Valley Police

Avon and Somerset Police

Crown Prosecution Service

West Midlands Police

Radford University serial killer biography: Cannan, John

Disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh

John Cannan

John Cannan - The True Crime Database

John Cannan: British murderer - Biography, Education, Career, and Life

Dead Woman's Ditch

Bristol murderer and sex offender John Cannan dies in jail at the age of 70

Murderer John Cannan could be released as parole postponed

Cannan died in HM Prison Full Sutton at age 70 from natural causes while serving his life sentence.

Parole board refused to release Cannan, finding him too dangerous.

Cannan became eligible for parole after serving 34 years of his life sentence.

Crown Prosecution Service decided there was insufficient evidence to charge Cannan with Suzy Lamplugh's murder, though police publicly stated they believed he killed her.

Cannan was interviewed by Metropolitan Police about Suzy Lamplugh disappearance as part of Operation Phoebus re-investigation.

Cannan appealed his conviction but was rejected.

Cannan was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of 35 years by Mr Justice Drake at Exeter Crown Court.

After 10 hours of jury deliberation, Cannan was found guilty of all charges including the abduction and murder of Shirley Banks, rape and buggery of a Reading woman, and attempted kidnapping of Julia Holman at gunpoint.

Cannan's trial began at Exeter Crown Court for the murder of Shirley Banks and 8 additional charges including rape, buggery, kidnap, attempted abduction, indecent assault and abduction for sex.

Cannan was charged with 9 additional offences: rape and buggery of Sharon Major (1980), making indecent assault on Sharon Major (1980), causing grievous bodily harm to Sharon Major (1980), rape of Donna Tucker (1986), buggery of Donna Tucker (1986), indecent assault of Donna Tucker (1986), attempted abduction of Julia Holman (1987), and attempted sexual assault of Julia Holman (1987).

Shirley Banks' decomposed body was found in the Quantock Hills near Dead Woman's Ditch in Somerset by people gathering moss; severe head injuries indicated blunt force trauma; a rock with blonde hair on it was found nearby.

Cannan was charged with the murder and kidnap of Shirley Banks after her thumbprint was found on a document in his flat.

Police decided not to formally charge Cannan with kidnapping Shirley Banks due to lack of evidence at that time.

Julia Holman positively identified Cannan in a police lineup as the attempted kidnapper from October 7; he was charged with attempted kidnap.

Cannan arrested after entering Carmel Cleary's store, pulling a knife on her and another woman, and attempting robbery with intent to abduct and sexually assault. Police found a knife and jacket with blood in plastic bags he dropped while fleeing.

Shirley Anne Banks, a 29-year-old factory manager, disappeared from Bristol city centre after her abduction by Cannan in her white Mini.

Julia Holman walked to her car alone when a man attempted to force himself into her car; she fought him off and later identified Cannan in a police lineup.

Cannan signed up at a video-dating agency under the fake name John Peterson, requesting women aged 25-35; agency owners felt something was not right and did not release his video.

Cannan moved back in with his mother in Sutton Coldfield.

Cannan was questioned about the rape of Donna Tucker but denied everything; not convicted due to lack of evidence at that time.

Cannan raped Donna Tucker on Whiteladies Road, Bristol, after opening her car door with a knife; she reported the incident to police.

Cannan raped a woman in Reading, Berkshire, at knifepoint while she was parked under a street lamp. DNA evidence later linked him to this crime.

Cannan attempted suicide by taking 68 paracetamol tablets; later that month he met Annabel, his solicitor.

Suzy Lamplugh, a 25-year-old estate agent, disappeared from west London after scheduled meeting with 'Mr. Kipper'; Cannan was later suspected but never charged.

Sandra Court strangled to death in Lansdowne, near Bournemouth; Cannan was questioned but not charged; no concrete evidence tied him to this crime.

Cannan released from prison after serving 5 years of his 8-year sentence.

Cannan sent to Wormwood Scrubs Prison in pre-release scheme lasting 6 months, providing some freedom while still in custody.

Cannan's father died; they had exchanged attempts to make peace when father visited while terminally ill with cancer.

Cannan moved to The Verne, a semi-open prison at Portland, Dorset.

Cannan transferred to Horfield Prison, Bristol, to serve his sentence.

Cannan was convicted and sentenced to 8 years imprisonment: 5 years for rape and 3 years for robbery and vehicle theft.

Cannan was questioned about the attacks on Sharon Major.

Cannan entered a ladies knitwear shop in Sutton Coldfield, pulled a knife, threatened a 37-year-old shop owner and her 17-month-old son, demanded money, and raped the shop owner in front of her mother and son.

Date recorded as December 31, 1980, for the assault on Sharon Major, though the attack occurred December 30.

Cannan attacked Sharon Major at her house, strangling her during intercourse, threatening to kill her with an air gun, and telling her on the way to hospital he meant to kill her.

Cannan and Sharon Major began living together with her children.

Cannan met Sharon Major, a 32-year-old woman, beginning a relationship while still married.

Cannan married June Vale after 7-year engagement; they had one daughter, Louise.

Cannan left school after gaining 5 secondary education certificates and 3 ordinary level general certificates, joined Merchant Navy for 3 months.

At age 14, Cannan indecently assaulted a woman in a phone box in Erdington and was placed on probation.

At ages 7-8, Cannan was sexually abused by a schoolteacher for several months, causing him shame and fear that made him develop a stammer.

John David Guise Cannan born in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, England.

Shirley Banks' white Mini Clubman, later repainted blue with false license plates

mid-1970s dark blue BMW, type of car Cannan drove

John David Guise Cannan was convicted of the murder of Shirley Banks in Bristol in October 1987, the attempted kidnapping of Julia Holman on the previous night, the rape of a woman in Reading, Berkshire in 1986, the rape of his girlfriend in December 1980, and several other abductions, attempted abductions and sexual offences. He received three life sentences in April 1989 with a minimum tariff of 35 years. Cannan was prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh but was not charged. He remained incarcerated at Full Sutton Prison until his death on November 6, 2024.

Suggest an edit · Offender Record OFF-2026-028

John David Guise Cannan