Shani Warren: Donald Robertson guilty of murder

A 66-year-old man has been found guilty of murdering Shani Warren and dumping her body in a lake.

Donald Robertson, formerly of Slough, was found guilty by a unanimous jury of the murder and indecent assault of Shani Warren, aged 26, in April 1987.

Robertson was also found guilty of the rape, kidnapping and false imprisonment of a 16-year-old girl in Slough in June 1981. The girl cannot be named for legal reasons.

Shani Warren was found dead in Taplow Lake - aerial shot taken by investigators in 1987 [TVP]

Following seven hours and 18 minutes of deliberations, the jury returned unanimous verdicts on all five charges.

Robertson, who is currently in prison for another offence and refused to attend the trial, will be sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Thursday.

The crime scene when Ms Warren was first discovered in Taplow Lake in 1987 [TVP]

During the trial, which started on April 29, the court heard how Ms Warren, who was from Stoke Poges and worked in Maidenhead, went missing on April 17, 1987.

On April 19, Ms Warren’s lifeless body was found by a dog walker floating on the surface of Taplow Lake – resulting in Ms Warren becoming known as ‘The Lady in the Lake’.

The court heard how Ms Warren’s hands were tied and her mouth gagged when her body was found.

An inquest at the time ruled that Ms Warren had committed suicide, but advancements in forensic analysis since then meant that when the Thames Valley Police Cold Case team revisited the crime in 2019, they discovered Robertson’s DNA on the mouth gag.

Six years before he killed Ms Warren, Robertson attacked and raped a 16-year-old girl as she walked home in Slough. Even though he was a suspect at the time the offence was reported in 1981, evidence procedures at the time prevented the police from bringing charges against the predator.

The mouth gag used on Ms Warren by Donald Robertson

Adjourning the hearing at Reading Crown Court today, Mr Justice Wall stated that he wanted to give Robertson the opportunity to attend his sentencing later this week.

He said: “I would like there to be an opportunity for the defendant to be told of the result and I know he has shown no desire to be here, but I intend to give him a chance to either attend in person or view proceedings from where he is at the moment.”

Donald Robertson will be sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Thursday.

Head of the Major Crime Review Team, and Senior Investigating Officer on this investigation, Principal Investigator Peter Beirne, said: “I am pleased that Donald Robertson has finally been convicted of the murder, indecent assault and false imprisonment of Shani Warren, and for the rape and kidnap of the 16-year-old girl in 1987 and 1981, respectively.

“In both of these cases the victims were put through terrifying ordeals by Robertson and I only wish that he could have been made to pay sooner for his abhorrent crimes.

“It is clear from Robertson’s previous offending that he is a sick and depraved individual who would take any opportunity available to him, to approach young girls and women in order to sexually assault them.

“We will never truly know why Robertson murdered Shani on that Easter weekend in 1987, perhaps because she defended herself against his attack.

“Robertson, who is already serving time for other sexual offences, did not have the courage or decency to attend his trial and to answer for his crimes, for which he will soon be sentenced.

“I would like to pay tribute to the family of Shani, and to the victim of the rape in 1981 for their bravery and courage throughout the many years that they have been waiting for justice.

“I am proud of the work carried out by the Major Crime Review Team in order to bring Robertson to justice.

“I am also extremely grateful to Eurofins who carried out the forensic analysis as well as the Crown Prosecution Service and Prosecuting team: John Price QC and Alan Blake.

“The Thames Valley Police cold case team remain committed to reviewing unsolved homicides and sexual offences.

“We have now secured convictions for 19 stranger rapes and six murders and with the ever-advancing forensic technology that we now have access to, we will lock up more offenders, and bring justice to other victims and their families.

“Therefore, if you have any information about an unsolved offence, I would urge you to contact the police. You can leave any information you have via our website or call 101.

“Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on their website or call 0800 555 111.”