BIBLE JOHN:

The Ballroom Beast of Prey

 

 

(Original police sketch) 

 

 

(Is Peter Tobin Bible John?)

During an 18-month period from 1968-1969 in Glasgow, Scotland, three horrific murders occurred that shocked a community.

The popular location where "Bible John" introduced himself to his three victims was at the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow. (It's still there today-see below.)

 

The killer was described as being aged between 28/30 being tall, slim and a redhead. He also sported a short haircut, giving the popular suggestion that he was either a military man or a serving police officer.

One witness explained that he frequently quoted numerous Bible verses, with particular references to Moses, hence the nickname "Bible John."

He had, it was suggested, come from a strict religious family and believed dance halls were dens of iniquity amongst other things, that caused him to kill so silently.

His three victims (and there may have been more) were all young women, aged between 25-32.

All lived in the area and all were at the time menstruating.

His last victim, 29-year old, Helen Pullock, had for some reason been bitten.

None of the unfortunate victims had it seems been sexually assaulted. But all had been strangled with severe facial injuries inflicted upon them by a gloved fist or a boot.

At the time it was the largest murder investigation in Scottish police history, with over 100 officers involved and over 50,000 statements taken. No arrests were made.

Soon afterwards the case went cold with suggestions that the killer was dead, had moved away-perhaps to another country-or was incarcerated either in prison or a psychiatric hospital.

In 1996 police obtained a court order to exhume a man's body for tests. He was, it was reported, a cousin of one of the victims but the final results proved inconclusive.

In 2000 Strathclyde police reopened the case and in 2004 DNA samples were administered against former police suspects in the 50-60 year age group.

35 years later this baffling case still remains unsolved.

I suspect the Biblical influence concerning menstruation is from the Book of Leviticus. Although how this affected his psyche to commit such appalling acts cannot be explained. How he also knew the women were having a period at the time of death is also puzzling. It does seem more than a coincidence I have to suggest.

Today if you live in that area of Glasgow we would be very pleased to hear from you with new information about this unsolved but intriguing case.

In the mean time could we suggest that the Ballroom be visited by local Christians on a Thursday night or any other evening, certainly with Bible tracts to be handed out to the clubbers ,as they go searching for a nights entertainment. Young people more than ever today need the true saving message of the Bible witnessed to them (John 3:3-7.)

This has nothing to do with the false scriptural words that so warped a murderers mind so long ago. Sadly leaving three innocent women brutally murdered in the streets of Glasgow.

GPB,

December 2006

Updated December 2009 

(All Rights Reserved) 

20th-May-2013