Encyclopedia of UK Serial Killers

Encyclopedia of UK Serial
Killers
Death Dealers Uncovered
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Contents
Articles
Amelia Dyer 1
Amelia Sach and Annie Walters 6
Anthony Hardy 8
Archibald Hall 10
Beverley Allitt 13
Burke and Hare murders 15
Cannock Chase murders 20
Catherine Wilson 23
Colin Ireland 26
Colin Norris 29
Dennis Nilsen 31
Donald Neilson 36
Fred West 39
George Chapman (murderer) 45
George Joseph Smith 48
Graham Young 52
Harold Shipman 54
John Bodkin Adams 60
John Christie (murderer) 76
John Duffy and David Mulcahy 85
John George Haigh 88
John Straffen 92
Kenneth Erskine 99
Mary Ann Cotton 101
Merry widow of Windy Nook 105
Michael Lupo 105
Moors murders 107
Patrick Mackay 129
Peter Manuel 131
Peter Moore (serial killer) 134
Peter Sutcliffe 136
Peter Tobin 146
Robert Black (serial killer) 150
Robert Maudsley 153
Robert Napper 154
Rosemary West 157
Steve Wright (serial killer) 160
Steven Grieveson 163
Thomas Griffiths Wainewright 164
Thomas Neill Cream 167
Trevor Hardy 171
William Palmer (murderer) 173
References
Article Sources and Contributors 176
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 180
Article Licenses
License 181
Amelia Dyer 1
Amelia Dyer
Amelia Dyer
Amelia Dyer
Background information
Also known as: Several
Born: 1829
Near Bristol, England
Died: June 10, 1896

Newgate Prison, London, England
Cause of death: State execution by hanging
Killings
Number of victims: Babies,thought to be well into the hundreds 247 babies bodies were discovered in the Thames river
Country: England
Date apprehended: April 3, 1896
Amelia Elizabeth Dyer (1829 – June 10, 1896) achieved notoriety as probably the most prolific baby-farm
murderer of Victorian England.[1] She was tried and hanged for one murder, but there is little doubt she was
responsible for many more similar deaths over a period of perhaps twenty years.[2]
Background
Unlike many of her generation, Amelia Dyer was not the product of grinding poverty. She was born in a small
village near Bristol, the daughter of a master shoemaker. She learned to read and write and developed a love of
literature and poetry. [3] However, her somewhat privileged childhood was marred by the eventual illness of her
mother who developed typhus. Dyer apparently witnessed her mother's violent fits and was obliged to care for her
until she died. Researchers would later comment on the effect this had on Dyer, and also what it would teach Dyer
about the signs exhibited by those who appear to lose their mind through illness.[4]
Later, she trained as a nurse, a somewhat gruelling job in Victorian times, but it was seen as a respectable
occupation, and it enabled her to acquire useful skills. From contact with a midwife, Ellen Dane, she learned of an
easier way to earn a living—using her own home to provide lodgings for young women who had conceived
illegitimately. Unmarried mothers in Victorian England often struggled to gain an income whilst bringing up their
children, in a society where single parenthood and illegitimacy were stigmatized. This led to the practice of
baby-farming in which individuals acted as adoption or fostering agents, in return for regular payments or a single,
up-front fee from the babies’ mothers. Many businesses were set up to take in these young women and care for them
until they gave birth. The mothers subsequently left their unwanted babies to be looked after as "nurse children".[3]
Amelia Dyer 2
The predicament of the parents involved was often exploited for financial gain: if a baby had well-off parents who
were simply anxious to keep the birth secret, the single fee might be as much as £80. £50 might be negotiated if the
father of the child wanted to hush up his involvement. However, it was more common for these expectant young
women to be impoverished, whose "immorality" even precluded acceptance, at that time, into workhouses. Such
women would be charged about £5.[3]
Unscrupulous carers resorted to starving the farmed-out babies, to save money and even to hasten death. Noisy or
demanding babies could be sedated with easily-available alcohol and/or opiates. Godfrey's Cordial—known
colloquially as "Mother's Friend", (a syrup containing opium)[5] —was a popular choice, but there were several other
similar preparations.[6] Many children died as a result of such dubious practices: "Opium killed far more infants
through starvation than directly through overdose. Dr. Greenhow, investigating for the Privy Council, noted how
children "kept in a state of continued narcotism will be thereby disinclined for food, and be but imperfectly
nourished." Marasmus, or inanition, and death from severe malnutrition would result, but the coroner was likely to
record the death as "'debility from birth,' or 'lack of breast milk,' or simply 'starvation.'"[7] Mothers who chose to
reclaim or simply check on the welfare of their children could often encounter difficulties, but some would simply be
too frightened or ashamed to tell the police about any suspected wrongdoing. Even the authorities often had
problems tracing any children that were reported missing.[3]
Dyer's killing career

Dyer was apparently keen to make money from baby-farming, but rather than take in expectant women, she would
advertise to adopt or nurse a baby, in return for a substantial one-off payment and adequate clothing for the child. In
her advertisements and meetings with clients, she assured them that she was respectable, married (Dyer and her
husband had actually separated), and that she would provide a safe and loving home for the child.[2]
At some point in her baby-farming career, Dyer was prepared to forego the expense and inconvenience of letting the
children die through neglect and starvation; soon after the receipt of each child, she murdered them, thus allowing
her to pocket most or all of the entire fee.[2]
For some time, Dyer eluded the resulting interest of police, and the inspectors of the newly-formed NSPCC. She was
eventually caught in 1879 after a doctor was suspicious about the number of child deaths he had been called to
certify in Dyer's care. However, instead of being convicted of murder or manslaughter, she was sentenced to six
months' hard labour for neglect. The experience allegedly almost destroyed her mentally,[3] though others have
expressed incredulity at the leniency of the sentence when compared to those handed out for lesser crimes at that
time.
Upon release, she attempted to resume her nursing career. She had spells in mental hospitals due to her alleged
mental instability and suicidal tendencies.[8] [9] Dyer appears to have begun self-medicating with alcohol and
opium-based products early in her killing career; her mental instability could have been related to her substance
abuse. In 1890, Dyer cared for the illegitimate baby of a governess. When she returned to visit the child, she was
immediately suspicious and stripped the baby to see if a birthmark was present on one of its hips. It wasn't, and
prolonged suspicions by the authorities led to Dyer having, or feigning, a breakdown. Dyer at one point drank two
bottles of laudanum in a serious suicide attempt, but her long-term abuse had built up her tolerance to opium
products, so she survived.
Inevitably, she returned to baby-farming, and murder. Dyer realized the folly of involving doctors to issue death
certificates and began disposing of the bodies herself. The precarious nature and extent of her activities again
prompted undesirable attention; she was alert to the attentions of police—and of parents seeking to reclaim their
children. She and her family had to frequently relocate to different towns and cities to escape suspicion, regain
anonymity—and to acquire new business. Over the years, Dyer had to use a succession of aliases.[2] [8]
In 1893, Dyer was discharged from her final committal in a mental asylum.[8] Two years later, Dyer moved to
Caversham, Berkshire, accompanied by an associate, Jane Smith, and her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Arthur
Amelia Dyer 3
Palmer. This was followed by a move to Kensington Road, Reading, Berkshire later the same year.[3] Smith was
persuaded by Dyer to be referred to as 'mother' in front of innocent women handing over their children. This was an
effort to present a caring mother-daughter image.
Case study: the murder of Doris Marmon

In January 1896, Evelina Marmon, a popular twenty-five year-old barmaid, gave birth to an illegitimate daughter,
Doris, in a boarding house in Cheltenham. She quickly sought offers of adoption, and placed an advertisement in the
"Miscellaneous" section of the Bristol Times & Mirror newspaper. It simply read: "Wanted, respectable woman to
take young child." Marmon intended to go back to work and hoped to eventually reclaim her child.[3]
Coincidentally, next to her own, was an advertisement reading: "Married couple with no family would adopt healthy
child, nice country home. Terms, £10". Marmon responded, to a "Mrs. Harding", and a few days later she received a
reply from Dyer. From Oxford Road in Reading, "Mrs Harding" wrote that "I should be glad to have a dear little
baby girl, one I could bring up and call my own." She continued: "We are plain, homely people, in fairly good
circumstances. I don't want a child for money's sake, but for company and home comfort. ... Myself and my husband
are dearly fond of children. I have no child of my own. A child with me will have a good home and a mother's
love".[3]
Evelina Marmon wanted to pay a more affordable, weekly fee for the care of her daughter, but "Mrs Harding"
insisted on being given the one-off payment in advance. Marmon was in desperate straits, so she reluctantly agreed
to pay the £10, and a week later "Mrs Harding" arrived in Cheltenham.[3]
Marmon was apparently surprised by Dyer's advanced age and stocky appearance, but Dyer seemed affectionate
towards Doris. Evelina handed over her daughter, a cardboard box of clothes and the £10. Still distressed at having
to give up care for her daughter, Evelina accompanied Dyer to Cheltenham station, and then on to Gloucester. She
returned to her lodgings "a broken woman". A few days later, she received a letter from "Mrs Harding" saying all
was well; Marmon wrote back, but received no reply.[3]
Dyer did not travel to Reading, as she had told Marmon. She went instead to 76 Mayo Road, Willesden, London
where her twenty-three year-old daughter was staying. There, Dyer quickly found some white edging tape used in
dressmaking, wound it twice around the baby's neck and tied a knot. Death would not have been immediate.[3]
Both women allegedly helped to wrap the body in a napkin. They kept some of the clothes Marmon had packed; the
rest was destined for the pawnbroker. Dyer paid the rent to the unwitting landlady, and gave her a pair of child's
boots as a present for her little girl. The following day, Wednesday April 1, 1896, another child, named Harry
Simmons, was taken to Mayo Road. However, with no spare white edging tape available, the length around Doris'
corpse was removed and used to strangle the 13 month-old boy.[3]
On April 2, both bodies were stacked into a carpet bag, along with bricks for added weight. Dyer then headed for
Reading. At a secluded spot she knew well near a weir at Caversham Lock, she forced the carpet bag through
railings into the River Thames.[3]
Dyer's downfall
Discovery of corpses
Unknown to Dyer, on March 30, 1896, a package was retrieved from the Thames at Reading by a bargeman. It
contained the body of a baby girl, later identified as Helena Fry. In the small detective force available to Reading
Borough Police headed by Chief Constable George Tewsley, a Detective Constable Anderson made a crucial
breakthrough. As well as finding a label from Temple Meads station, Bristol, he used microscopic analysis of the
wrapping paper, and deciphered a faintly-legible name—Mrs Thomas—and an address.[2]
Amelia Dyer 4
This evidence was enough to lead police to Dyer, but they still had no strong evidence to directly connect her with a
serious crime. Additional evidence they gleaned from witnesses, and information obtained from Bristol police, only
served to increase their concerns, and D.C. Anderson, with Sgt. James, placed Dyer's home under surveillance.
Subsequent intelligence suggested that Dyer would abscond if she became at all suspicious. The officers decided to
use a young woman as a decoy, hoping she would be able to secure a meeting with Dyer to discuss her services. This
may have been designed to help the detectives to positively link Dyer to her business activities, or it may have
simply given them a reliable opportunity to arrest her.[2]
It transpired that Dyer was expecting her new client (the decoy) to call, but instead she found detectives waiting on
her doorstep. On April 3 (Good Friday), police raided her home. They were apparently struck by the stench of
human decomposition, although no human remains were found. There was however, plenty of other related
evidence, including white edging tape, telegrams regarding adoption arrangements, pawn tickets for children's
clothing, receipts for advertisements and letters from mothers inquiring about the well-being of their children.[2]
The police calculated that in the previous few months alone, at least twenty children had been placed in the care of a
"Mrs. Thomas", now revealed to be Amelia Dyer. It also appeared that she was about to move home again, this time
to Somerset.[3]
Helena Fry, the baby fished from the Thames on March 30, had been handed over to Dyer at Temple Meads Station
on March 5. That same evening, she arrived home carrying only a brown paper parcel. She hid the package in the
house but, after three weeks, the odor of decomposition prompted her to dump the dead baby in the river. As it was
not weighted adequately, it had been easily spotted.[3]
Amelia Dyer was arrested on April 4 and charged with murder. Her son-in-law Arthur Palmer was charged as an
accessory. During April, the Thames was dragged and six more bodies were discovered, including Doris Marmon
and Harry Simmons—Dyer's last victims. Each baby had been strangled with white tape, which as she later told the
police "was how you could tell it was one of mine".[3] Eleven days after handing her daughter to Dyer, Evelina
Marmon, whose name had emerged in items kept by Dyer, identified her daughter's remains.[3]
Inquest and trial

At the inquest into the deaths in early May, no evidence was found that Mary or Arthur Palmer had acted as Dyer’s
accomplices. Arthur Palmer was discharged as the result of a confession written by Amelia Dyer. In Reading gaol
she wrote (with her own spelling and punctuation preserved):
Sir will you kindly grant me the favour of presenting this to the magistrates on Satturday the 18th instant I
have made this statement out, for I may not have the opportunity then I must relieve my mind I do know and I
feel my days are numbered on this earth but I do feel it is an awful thing drawing innocent people into trouble
I do know I shal have to answer before my Maker in Heaven for the awful crimes I have committed but as God
Almighty is my judge in Heaven a on Hearth neither my daughter Mary Ann Palmer nor her husband Alfred
Ernest Palmer I do most solemnly declare neither of them had any thing at all to do with it, they never knew I
contemplated doing such a wicked thing until it was to late I am speaking the truth and nothing but the truth as
I hope to be forgiven, I myself and I alone must stand before my Maker in Heaven to give a answer for it all
witnes my hand Amelia Dyer.
—April 16, 1896[10]
On May 22, 1896, Amelia Dyer appeared at the Old Bailey and pleaded guilty to one murder, that of Doris Marmon.
Her family and associates testified at her trial that they had been growing suspicious and uneasy about her activities,
and it emerged that Dyer had narrowly escaped discovery on several occasions.[10] Evidence from a man who had
seen and spoken to Dyer when she had disposed of the two bodies at Caversham Lock also proved significant. Her
daughter had given graphic evidence that ensured Amelia Dyer's conviction; it remains unclear why or how her
daughter completely escaped punishment.[3]
Amelia Dyer 5
The only defence Dyer offered was insanity: she had been twice committed to asylums in Bristol. However, the
prosecution argued successfully that her exhibitions of mental instability had been a ploy to avoid suspicion; both
committals were said to have coincided with times when Dyer was concerned her crimes might have been
exposed.[2]
It took the jury only four and a half minutes to find her guilty. She was hanged by James Billington at Newgate
Prison on Wednesday, June 10, 1896.[11]
Jill the Ripper?

Due to the fact that she was a murderer alive at the time of the Jack the Ripper killings, some have suggested that
Amelia Dyer was Jack the Ripper, who killed the prostitutes through botched abortions. This suggestion was put
forward by author William Stewart, although he preferred Mary Pearcey as his chosen suspect.[12] There is no
evidence to connect Dyer to the Jack the Ripper murders.
Later developments
It is uncertain how many more children Amelia Dyer murdered. However, inquiries from mothers, evidence of other
witnesses, and material found in Dyer’s homes, including letters and many babies' clothes, pointed to many more.[2]
The Dyer case caused a scandal. She became known as the "Ogress of Reading", and she inspired a popular ballad:
The old baby farmer, the wretched Miss Dyer
At the Old Bailey her wages is paid.
In times long ago, we'd 'a' made a big fy-er
And roasted so nicely that wicked old jade.[11]
Stricter adoption laws gave local authorities the power to police baby farms and stamp out abuse. Personal ads of
newspapers were to be scrutinised.[11]
The trafficking and abuse of infants did not stop. Two years after Dyer's execution, railway workers inspecting
carriages at Newton Abbot, Devon found a parcel. Inside was a three-week-old girl, but though cold and wet, she
was alive. The daughter of a widow, Jane Hill, the baby had been given to a Mrs. Stewart, for £12. She had picked
up the baby at Plymouth—and apparently dumped her on the next train. It has been claimed that "Mrs. Stewart" was
the daughter of Amelia Dyer.[3]
The Identified Victims of Amelia Dyer

Doris Marmon = 4 months old Harry Simmons = 13 months old Helena Fry = Age unknown 1 years old or less
References
• Daily Mail, "The baby butcher: One of Victorian Britain's most evil murderers exposed". [13] (Review of Vale &
Rattle biography Amelia Dyer: Angel Maker).
• Thames Valley Police Museum [14]. "Amelia Dyer".
• Rose, Lionel (1986). The Massacre of the Innocents, Routledge, p. 160 ISBN 9780710203397
• "'Baby Farming' – a tragedy of Victorian times." [15].
• Vale, Allison; Alison Rattle (2007). Amelia Dyer: Angel Maker. Andre Deutsch. ISBN 9780233002248
• James, Mike (ed.) (1994). Bedside Book of Murder Forum Press / True Crime Library. ISBN 1874358079
Amelia Dyer 6
References
[1] "'Baby Farming' – a tragedy of Victorian times." (http:/ / www. capitalpunishmentuk. org/ babyfarm. html). Retrieved 2008-10-28
[2] Thames Valley Police Museum (http:/ / www. thamesvalley. police. uk/ news_info/ info/ museum/ dyer2. htm). Retrieved 2008-10-22
[3] "The baby butcher: One of Victorian Britain's most evil murderers exposed" (http:/ / www. dailymail. co. uk/ femail/ article-484575/
The-baby-butcher-One-Victorian-Britains-evil-murderers-exposed. html), Daily Mail, , retrieved 2008-10-21
[4] The Lady Killers (1998). Amelia Dyer, ITV series. Hosted by Martina Cole. Broadcast 2010-03-16.
[5] "WHAT WERE GODFREY'S CORDIAL AND DALBY'S CARMINATIVE?, Pediatrics. (http:/ / pediatrics. aappublications. org/ cgi/
content/ abstract/ 45/ 6/ 1011) Retrieved 2008-10-23
[6] Opium and Infant Mortality (http:/ / www. usp. nus. edu. sg/ victorian/ science/ health/ health4. html) Retrieved 2008-10-24
[7] Quoted in: Opium and Infant Mortality (http:/ / www. usp. nus. edu. sg/ victorian/ science/ health/ health4. html) Retrieved 2008-10-24
[8] Rose, Lionel (1986). The Massacre of the Innocents, Routledge, p.160
[9] Rose, Lionel (1986). The Massacre of the Innocents, Routledge. (http:/ / books. google. co. uk/ books?id=sZc9AAAAIAAJ& pg=PP7&
lpg=PP7& dq=Rose,+ Lionel+ (1986). + The+ Massacre+ of+ the+ Innocents,+ Routledge,& source=web& ots=bCvJu7Uqin&
sig=dq_t-S2Z8bbXJJ2acc_OKpsKuaI& hl=en& sa=X& oi=book_result& resnum=2& ct=result#PPP1,M1) Retrieved 2008-10-24
[10] , Thames Valley Police Museum, http:/ / www. thamesvalley. police. uk/ news_info/ info/ museum/ dyer2. htm, retrieved 2008-10-23
[11] Rose, Lionel (1986). The Massacre of the Innocents, Routledge, p.161
[12] Stewart, William (1939), Jack The Ripper: A New Theory, Quality Press
[13] http:/ / www. dailymail. co. uk/ femail/ article-484575/ The-baby-butcher-One-Victorian-Britains-evil-murderers-exposed. html
[14] http:/ / www. thamesvalley. police. uk/ news_info/ info/ museum/ dyer2. htm
[15] http:/ / www. capitalpunishmentuk. org/ babyfarm. html
Amelia Sach and Annie Walters

Amelia Sach (1873 - 3 February 1903) and Annie Walters (1869 - 3 February 1903) were two British serial killers
better known as the Finchley baby farmers.
Crimes
Amelia Sach operated a lying-in home in Stanley Road, and later at Claymore House in Hertford Road (both in East
Finchley), London. Around 1900,[1] she began to advertise that babies "could be left", and took money for adoptions.
The clients, judging from the witness accounts, were mostly servants from local houses who had become pregnant,
and who had employers who were keen for the matter to be resolved discreetly. There was a charge for lying in, and
another for adoption, a "present" to future parents of between £25 and £30.
Annie Walters would collect the baby after it was born, and then dispose of it with poison — chlorodyne[2] (a
medicine containing morphine[3] ). They were caught after Walters raised the suspicions of her landlord in Islington
who was a police officer. An unknown number of babies were murdered this way, probably dozens. The evidence
provided as to the scale of the crime were the quantity of baby clothes found at Claymore House. A local campaign
to have their sentences commuted to life failed, and they became the first women to be hanged at Holloway on 3
February 1903, by Henry Pierrepoint, the future father of Albert Pierrepoint, the only double hanging of women to
be carried out in modern times.
Background
Little is known about the pair but it is clear that Sach was active long before she engaged Walters. Sach was herself a
mother; the England and Wales census of 1901 shows that a child was born to her in Clapham and that she was
married to a builder called Jeffrey Sach. She lied about her age—she was 32, not 29. Walters's background is
unknown, but she had been married. She seems to have had a drinking problem and she would periodically advertise
herself as a sick nurse. On her arrest she was determined to be "feeble", that is to say, feeble-minded.[4]
There is a small possibility that the pair may have been involved in an earlier homicide that resulted in another
woman being executed. In 1899 Louise Masset was tried for the murder of her young son Manfred, whose body was
Amelia Sach and Annie Walters 7
found in the ladies' lavatory at Dalston Junction railway station after being killed. Circumstantial evidence suggested
that Louise was the murderer, and the killing was to be rid of a supposed encumbrance due to her wanting to marry a
man named Lucas. However, in her claims of innocence, Louise said she had taken Manfred out of the care of one
woman to give him to two ladies she met who had an establishment for the care of growing children. The police
claimed they made some effort in looking for the two women, but the extent of their investigation is unknown. In
any event, Louise Masset was tried and convicted of the murder, and despite a petition for mercy was executed in
early January 1900.
Burial
The bodies of Sach and Walters were buried in unmarked graves within the walls of Holloway Prison, as was
customary. In 1971 the prison underwent an extensive programme of rebuilding, during which the bodies of all the
executed women were exhumed. With the exception of Ruth Ellis, the remains of the four other women executed at
Holloway (i.e. Styllou Christofi, Edith Thompson, Sach and Walters) were subsequently reburied in a single grave
(plot 117) at Brookwood Cemetery. The precise location of Sach and Walters' grave within Brookwood Cemetery is
51°18′13.67″N 0°37′33.33″W.
References
[1] Jennifer Furio, Team Killers a Comparative Study of Collaborative, 2001. Page 121 (http:/ / books. google. pl/ books?id=lO90EM43TLUC&
pg=PA122& lpg=PA122& dq="Amelia+ Sach"& source=web& ots=08E2pGfByh& sig=pJbWx0Lry-oOI80EtJoZyC3CnJY&
hl=pl#PPA123,M1)
hl=pl#PPA123,M1)
[3] The Caversham Project : University of Otago (http:/ / caversham. otago. ac. nz/ resource/ biographies/ emmelineThomasGalloway. html)
hl=pl#PPA123,M1)
• Jesse, F. Tennyson Murder and Its Motives (Garden City, New York, Doubleday & Company—Dolphin Books,
1924, 1958, 1965), 240p. The book's introduction has a section on the "Baby Farming" murder cases, including 3
pages on Sachs and Walters—p. 32-34 in this edition.
Anthony Hardy 8
Anthony Hardy
Anthony John Hardy (born May 31, 1951) is an English serial killer who was convicted of murdering three women
in London.
Anthony Hardy
Birth name: Anthony John Hardy
Also known as: The Camden Ripper
Born: May 31, 1951

Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom
Sentence: Life imprisonment
Killings
Number of victims: 3 (suspected of others)
Span of killings: December 2000–December 2002
Country: England
Date apprehended: January 2, 2003
Early life
Born in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, Anthony Hardy had an apparently uneventful childhood and excelled in
school and college, particularly in engineering.
He married and fathered two sons and two daughters, but his wife divorced him in 1986, accusing him of domestic
violence. In 1982, Hardy had been arrested for trying to drown his wife but the charges were later dropped.
After the divorce, Hardy spent time in mental hospitals, diagnosed with bipolar disorder.[1] He lived in various
hostels in London, picking up convictions for theft and being drunk and disorderly. He was arrested in 1998 when a
prostitute accused him of raping her, but the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence.
Murders
In January 2002, police were called to the block of flats that Hardy lived in after a neighbour complained that
someone had vandalised her front door and that she strongly suspected Hardy. When the police investigated Hardy's
flat they found a locked door, and despite his original claims to the contrary, police found that Hardy had a key.
Investigating the room, the police found the body of a dead woman lying on a bed. She was identified as Sally
White, 38, a prostitute living in London.
A coroner subsequently determined that White had died of a heart attack, even though she was found naked in a
locked room with cuts and bruises to her head.
Hardy spent a short time in jail for the vandalism offence.
On December 30, 2002, a homeless man hunting for food in some bins found some of the dismembered remains of
two women found stuffed in bin-liners. The victims were identified as Bridgette MacClennan, 34, and Elizabeth
Valad, 29.
Anthony Hardy 9
Arrest and trial

The investigation lead to Hardy, who was arrested a week later. He had gone on the run but been spotted by an
off-duty policemen when he went to a hospital to collect his prescription for insulin . A search of his flat found that
there was evidence, including old blood stains, that indicated the two women had been killed and dismembered
there. Both had died over the Christmas holidays.
Under arrest, Hardy simply said "No comment" to every question put to him by police. He was eventually charged
with the murders of both MacClennan and Valad, as well as that of Sally White, the woman whose death had
originally been put down to natural causes.
At his trial in November 2003, Hardy, despite his initial lack of cooperation with the police, abruptly changed his
plea to guilty to all three counts of murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Because of Hardy's history of psychiatric problems and violent behaviour, an independent enquiry was announced
into his care.[2]
Hardy has also been linked to the earlier unsolved murders of two prostitutes found dismembered and dumped in the
Thames.
In popular culture
After the trial had finished and Hardy had been sentenced to life imprisonment, controversial British rap artist Plan B
released a song about Hardy, dubbing him the 'Camden Ripper'. In the song it describes how Hardy had psychiatric
problems and was able to carry out the murders because of "neighbors who were always out raving". The song also
describes a fourth victim, called Suzanne, whose body was rumored to never have been found.
Hardy is also mentioned in the song "Guided tour of Camden" by Charlie Sloth. In the song's music video, Sloth says
"You see that house up there? That's where the Camden Ripper used to live. And he used to hire out hookers chop
into pieces and hide them in fridges and cookers. You see that there? That's where they found one of the girl's legs."
References
[1] Anthony John Hardy, England's famous Camden Ripper - The Crime library (http:/ / www. crimelibrary. com/ serial_killers/ predators/
anthony_hardy/ 2. html)
[2] North Central Strategic Health Authority | Newsroom | Press Release 5 July 2004 | Independent Review Into The Care And Treatment Of
Anthony Hardy (http:/ / www. nclondon. nhs. uk/ newsroom/ press_releases_2004/
independent_review_into_the_care_and_treatment_of_Anthony_Hardy. shtm)
Archibald Hall 10
Archibald Hall
Archibald Thomson Hall (a.k.a. Roy Fontaine, 17 June 1924 - 16
September 2002) was a British serial killer and thief. Born in Glasgow,
Scotland, he became known as the Killer Butler or the Monster
Butler after committing crimes while working in service to members
of the British aristocracy. Until his death, he was the oldest person
serving a whole life tariff in prison.
Crime from the start

Hall began stealing at the age of 15, and soon progressed to burglary.
After realising he was bisexual, he infiltrated the gay scene in London
where he moved on the strength of his criminal profits. He served his
first jail sentence after trying in London to sell jewellery he had stolen
in Scotland. During his stretch, he learnt more about etiquette and the
aristocracy while also dulling his Scottish accent with elocution lessons
and studying antiques. Archibald Hall
Upon his release he began using the name Roy Fontaine - as a homage
to actress Joan Fontaine, of whom he was a fan - and working as a butler, occasionally returning to prison for
sentences incurred after more pilfering of jewels. He married and divorced during this time.
From thief to killer

In 1975, Hall was released from prison and went back to Scotland. He began working as butler to Margaret Hudson,
a dowager who lived at Kirtleton House, Dumfriesshire. Hall initially had ideas to steal her valuables but he never
carried them out when he realised that he liked both his job and employer too much.
When David Wright, an acquaintance from his last prison term and a former lover, was also given a job on the estate
as a gamekeeper in 1977, the two had an altercation after Wright stole some of Lady Hudson's jewellery and
threatened to tell her about Hall's own criminal past if he reported him.
Hall took Wright on a rabbit hunt in a trick attempt at coming to an amicable solution. Once out in the fields, he shot
Wright dead and buried him next to the stream in the Kirtleton House grounds.
Hall quit his job immediately - much to Lady Hudson's apparent disappointment - and moved back to London where
he combined more thieving and racketeering with working as a butler to the 82-year-old Walter Scott-Elliot, and his
60-year-old wife Dorothy. Scott-Elliot, who had been Labour Member of Parliament for Accrington from 1945 to
1950, was rich and from an aristocratic Scottish background. Hall's plan was to rob them of their money and retire,
but in the end he killed them both after Mrs Scott-Elliot walked in on Hall and an accomplice, Michael Kitto, as they
were discussing their plans. Kitto immediately put his hand over her mouth and suffocated her.
They then drugged her husband and drove them both up to Scotland, helped by a local prostitute and acquaintance,
Mary Coggles. Dorothy was buried in Braco, Perthshire, then they strangled and beat her sedated husband and buried
him in woods near Tomich, Invernesshire.
Their next victim was Coggles, who had taken to wearing Dorothy's expensive clothes and jewellery and was
drawing too much attention to herself. After she refused to dispose of the fur coat, which was potentially
incriminating evidence, Hall and Kitto killed her and left her body in a barn in Middlebie, Dumfriesshire, where she
was discovered on 25 December 1977 by a shepherd.
Archibald Hall 11
The final victim of the pair was Hall's half-brother Donald, a paedophile just out of prison whom Hall hated. Hall
and Kitto found him at Hall's holiday home in Cumbria, and Hall chloroformed him before drowning him in the bath.
The abortive effort to dispose of this body led to Hall and Kitto's downfall.
Arrest
Hall and Kitto put the body in the boot of the car and again drove to Scotland to carry out another burial. However,
the wintry weather made driving hazardous, and so on reaching North Berwick in East Lothian, they decided to
check into a hotel overnight in order to lessen their chances of being in an accident.
However, the shifty movements of Hall and Kitto made the hotelier suspicious and, worried about whether he would
be paid for their stay, he called the police as a precaution. When they arrived, they searched Hall's car and found the
corpse.
Kitto was arrested but Hall escaped through a lavatory window. He was captured at a police roadblock in nearby
Haddington.
The police then made a connection between Hall's car and the registration number of a vehicle noted by a suspicious
antiques dealer in Newcastle upon Tyne, to whom two men had offered silver and china at a price well below its true
value. The police traced the car to the Scott-Elliots' address in London and found the apartment robbed of many
valuables and spattered with blood. This also linked with the murder of Coggles, whose body had already been found
and who had been previously registered as a housekeeper for the Scott-Elliots. The police had evidence that three
men (including a drugged Scott-Elliot) and a woman had stayed at a Scottish hotel for one night, but the following
night only two men - Hall and Kitto - returned.
Hall tried and failed to commit suicide while in custody, before revealing the whereabouts of the three buried
victims. In deep snow and bitter temperatures, and with the media watching, police teams dug up the bodies of David
Wright and Walter and Dorothy Scott-Elliot. They charged Hall and Kitto with five murders.
Imprisonment and death

Hall was convicted at courts in London and Edinburgh of four murders - the murder of Dorothy Scott-Elliot was
ordered to lie on file - and sentenced to life imprisonment. In Scotland, it was recommended that he served a
minimum of 15 years and in England the judge handed down a recommendation that he never be released.
Kitto was given life imprisonment for three murders, with no recommended minimum in Scotland and a 15-year
minimum in England. Police said in evidence that Kitto was, in a perverted way, fortunate to be able to go on trial, as
Hall was planning to kill him too.
Successive Home Secretaries put Hall on the list of dangerous prisoners who should serve a whole life tariff, which
unlike some criminals on the list, did not alter Hall's prison status at all, as it reciprocated the tariff set by one of his
judges. When politically-set tariffs were declared illegal by the law lords and the European Court of Human Rights,
Hall's status as a prisoner unlikely to be released never changed, despite being the oldest prisoner on the publicised
list. In 1995, the Observer newspaper published a letter from Hall in which he requested the right to die. He made
numerous suicide attempts which were all unsuccessful.
Hall published his autobiography, A Perfect Gentleman, in 1999. He died of a stroke in Kingston Prison, Portsmouth,
in 2002[1] at the age of 78. By this date, he was one of the oldest of more than 70,000 prisoners in British prisons,
and the oldest to be serving a whole life tariff.
In 2005, British actor Malcolm McDowell and Hollywood screenwriter Peter Bellwood announced that they were
seeking a director and funding for a film based on Hall's life.
Archibald Hall 12
Further reading
• Hall, Roy Archibald (2002). To Kill and Kill Again: The Chilling True Confessions of a Serial Killer. John Blake.
ISBN 1857825551.
External links
• The Scotsman [2]
• Edinburgh Evening News obituary [3]
• The Guardian [4]
References
[1] Deaths England and Wales 1984-2006 (http:/ / www. findmypast. com/ BirthsMarriagesDeaths. jsp)
[2] http:/ / heritage. scotsman. com/ diagrams. cfm?cid=6& id=2334782005
[3] http:/ / edinburghnews. scotsman. com/ index. cfm?id=1213562002
[4] http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ prisons/ story/ 0,,467198,00. html
Beverley Allitt 13
Beverley Allitt
Beverley Gail Allitt
Also known as: Angel of Death
Born: 4 October 1968

England
Killings
Number of victims: 9
Span of killings: 21 February, 1991–22 April, 1991
Country: United Kingdom
Date apprehended: 20 November, 1991
Beverley Gail Allitt (born 4 October 1968), dubbed the Angel of Death,[1] is an English serial killer who murdered
four children and injured five others while working as a State Enrolled Nurse (SEN), on the children's ward of
Grantham and Kesteven Hospital, Lincolnshire. Her main method of murder was to inject the child with potassium
chloride (to cause cardiac arrest), or with insulin (to induce lethal hypoglycemia).
She was sentenced to life imprisonment at her trial at Nottingham Crown Court in 1993 and is currently being held at
Rampton Secure Hospital.[2]
The victims
• Liam Taylor (seven weeks old) – was admitted to the ward for a chest infection and was murdered on 21
February 1991.
• Timothy Hardwick (eleven years old) – a boy with cerebral palsy who was admitted to the ward after having an
epileptic seizure. He was murdered on 5 March 1991.
• Kayley Desmond (then one year old) – admitted to the ward for a chest infection. Allitt attempted to murder her
on 8 March 1991 but the child was resuscitated and transferred to another hospital, where she recovered.
• Paul Crampton (then five months old) – admitted to the ward for a chest infection on 20 March 1991. Allitt
attempted to murder him with an insulin overdose on three occasions that day before he was transferred to another
hospital, where he recovered.
• Bradley Gibson (then five years old) – admitted to the ward for pneumonia. He suffered two cardiac arrests on 21
March 1991, due to Allitt administering insulin overdoses, before he was transferred to another hospital, where he
recovered.
• Yik Hung Chan (also known as Henry, then two years old) – admitted to the ward following a fall on 21 March
1991. He suffered an oxygen desaturation attack before he was transferred to another hospital, where he
recovered.
• Becky Phillips (two months old) – admitted to the ward for gastroenteritis on 1 April 1991. She was administered
an insulin overdose by Allitt and died at home two days later.
• Katie Phillips (then two months old) – Becky's twin was admitted to the ward as a precaution following the death
of her sister. She had to be resuscitated twice after unexplained apneic episodes (which were later found to be due
to insulin and potassium overdoses). Following the second time that she stopped breathing, she was transferred to
another hospital but, by this time, had suffered permanent brain damage, partial paralysis and partial blindness
due to oxygen deprivation. Her parents had been so grateful to Allitt's care of Becky that they had asked her to be
Katie's Godmother. In 1999 Katie was awarded £2.125 million, by Lincolnshire Health Authority, to pay for
treatment and equipment for the rest of her life. Lincolnshire Health Authority did not accept liability, but did
Beverley Allitt 14
acknowledge that Katie was entitled to compensation.[1]

• Claire Peck (fifteen months old) – admitted to the ward following an asthma attack on 22 April 1991. After being
put on a ventilator, she was left alone in Allitt's care for a short interval during which time she had a cardiac
arrest. She was resuscitated but died after a second cardiac arrest, again following a period when she was left
alone with Allitt.
Trial and imprisonment

Allitt had attacked 13 children in the space of 15 days before she was finally arrested. It was only following the
death of Claire Peck that medical staff became suspicious of the number of cardiac arrests on the children's ward and
police were called in.[3] It was found that Allitt was the only nurse on duty for all the attacks on the children and she
also had access to the drugs.
Four of Allitt's victims had died. She was charged with attempted murder and grievous bodily harm in November
1991. On Friday 28 May 1993 she was found guilty on each charge and sentenced to 13 concurrent terms of life
imprisonment – to be served at Rampton Secure Hospital in Nottinghamshire.[4] [5]
Allitt's trial judge recommended she serve a minimum term of 40 years (one of the longest minimum terms ever
suggested by a trial judge, High Court judge or politician), which would keep her in prison until at least 2032 and the
age of 64, and even then she could only be released if she was no longer considered to be a danger to the public. In
August 2006, Allitt launched an appeal on the length of her sentence[6] . On 6 December 2007, the High Court ruled
that Allitt would have to serve at least 30 years in prison, meaning she will now have to wait until at least 2022 and
the age of 54 until she can apply for parole.[7]
Allitt's motives have never been fully explained. According to one theory, Munchausen syndrome by proxy explains
her actions.[8] This controversial factitious disorder is described as involving a pattern of abuse in which a
perpetrator physically falsifies illnesses in someone under their care, in order to attract attention.
In 2005, the BBC made a dramatisation of the story, "Angel of Death", in which Charlie Brooks played the role of
Allitt.[9]
References
[1] "£2m for child-killer victim" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ health/ 398590. stm). BBC. 19 July 1999. . Retrieved 2007-02-06.
[2] "Killer on the Ward" (http:/ / www. shotsmag. co. uk/ Killer on the Ward. htm). Carol Ann Davis. 2006-02-19. . Retrieved 2007-02-06.
[3] "Murder in the NHS" (http:/ / www. bmj. com/ cgi/ content/ full/ 308/ 6924/ 287). W J Appleyard. 29 January 1994. . Retrieved 2007-02-06.
[4] The Guardian - 29 May 1993
[5] "Beverly Allitt: Suffer the Children" (http:/ / www. crimelibrary. com/ notorious_murders/ angels/ beverly_allitt/ 6. html). The Crime Library.
10 May 2000. . Retrieved 2007-02-06.
[6] "Child killer Allitt seeks review" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ lincolnshire/ 5239958. stm). BBC. 2 August 2006. . Retrieved
2007-02-06.
[7] "Appeal by 'Angel of Death' fails" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ lincolnshire/ 7130211. stm). BBC. 6 December 2007. . Retrieved
2007-12-06.
[8] "Famous Criminals: Beverley Allitt" (http:/ / www. crimeandinvestigation. co. uk/ famous_criminal/ 8/ the_arrest/ 1/ Beverley_Allitt. htm).
Crime & Investigation Network. 10 February 2005. . Retrieved 2007-02-06.
[9] Angel of Death: The Beverly Allitt Story (http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt0862651/ ) at IMDb
Burke and Hare murders

William Burke and William Hare
Hare and Burke

Died: 28 January 1829 (aged 37) (Burke)
Cause of death: Hanged
Killings
Number of 17
victims:
Country: Scotland
The Burke and Hare murders (also known as the West Port murders) were serial murders perpetrated in
Edinburgh, Scotland, from November 1827 to 31 October 1828. The killings were attributed to Irish immigrants
William Burke and William Hare, who sold the corpses of their 17 victims to provide material for dissection. Their
purchaser was Doctor Robert Knox, a private anatomy lecturer whose students were drawn from Edinburgh Medical
College. Their accomplices included Burke's mistress, Helen M'Dougal, and Hare's wife, Margaret Laird.[1] From
their infamous method of killing their victims has come the word "burking", meaning to purposefully smother and
compress the chest of a victim.[2]
Historical background
Before 1832, there were insufficient cadavers legitimately available for the study and teaching of anatomy in British
medical schools. The University of Edinburgh was an institution universally renowned for medical sciences. As
medical science began to flourish in the early 19th century, demand rose sharply, but at the same time, the only legal
supply of cadavers—the bodies of executed criminals—had fallen due to a sharp reduction in the execution rate in
the early 19th century, brought about by the repeal of the Bloody Code. Only about 2 or 3 corpses per year were
available for a large number of students, as compared with the 18th century. This situation attracted criminal
elements who were willing to obtain specimens by any means. The activities of body-snatchers (also called
resurrectionists) gave rise to particular public fear and revulsion.
Burke and Hare

Burke (1792 – 28 January 1829) was born in Urney, near Strabane, in the very west of County Tyrone, part of the
Province of Ulster. After trying his hand at a variety of trades and serving as an officer's servant in the Donegal
Militia, he left his wife and two children in Ireland and emigrated to Scotland about 1817, working as a navvy for the
Union Canal. There he met Helen M'Dougal. Burke afterwards worked as a labourer, weaver, baker and a cobbler.
Hare's (born 1792 or 1804) birthplace is variously given as Newry or Derry, both of which are also in the Province of
Ulster in Ireland. Like Burke, he emigrated to Scotland and worked as a Union Canal labourer. He then moved to
Edinburgh, where he met a man named Logue, who ran a lodging-house in the West Port. When Logue died in 1826,
Hare married Margaret Laird, Logue's widow. Margaret Hare continued to run the lodging house, and Hare worked
on the canal.
Murders
In late 1827, Burke and M'Dougal moved into Tanner's Close, in the West Port
area of Edinburgh, where Margaret Hare kept a lodging-house. Burke had met
Margaret on previous trips to Edinburgh, but it is not known whether he was
previously acquainted with Hare. Once Burke arrived in Tanner's Corner, they
became good friends.[3] According to Hare's later testimony, the first body they
sold was that of a tenant who had died of natural causes, an old army pensioner
who owed Hare £4 rent. Instead of burying the body, they filled the coffin with
bark and brought the cadaver to Edinburgh University, looking for a purchaser.
According to Burke's later testimony, a student directed them to Surgeon's
Square Dr. Robert Knox, an ambitious Edinburgh anatomist. They sold the body
for £7 10 shillings.[4]
Robert Knox c.1830
Burke and Hare's next victim was a sick tenant, Joseph the Miller, whom they
plied with whisky and then suffocated. When there were no other sickly tenants,
they decided to lure a victim from the street. In February 1828, they invited pensioner Abigail Simpson to spend the
night before her return to home. Using the same modus operandi, they served Simpson alcohol with the intention of
intoxicating her, and then smothered her. They were paid £10.[4]
Hare's wife, Margaret, invited a woman to the inn, plied her with drink, and then sent for her husband. Next, Burke
encountered two women in the section of Edinburgh known as the Canongate, Mary Patterson and Janet Brown. He
invited them to breakfast, but Brown left when an argument broke out between M'Dougal and Burke. When she
returned, she was told that Patterson had left with Burke; in fact, she, too, had been taken to Dr. Knox's dissecting
rooms.[4] The two women were described as prostitutes in contemporary accounts.[5] [6] The story later arose that
some of Knox's students recognized the dead Patterson.[7]
The next victim was an acquaintance of Burke, a beggar woman called "Effie". They were paid £10 for her body.
Then Burke "saved" a woman from police by claiming that he knew her. He delivered her body to the medical school
just hours later. The next two victims were an old woman and her grandson. Both bodies were ultimately sold for £8
each. The next two victims were Burke's acquaintance "Mrs. Ostler" and one of M'Dougal's relatives, Ann Dougal.
The next victim was Elizabeth Haldane, a former lodger who, down on her luck, asked to sleep in Hare's stable.
Burke and Hare also murdered her daughter Peggy Haldane a few months later.
Burke and Hare's next victim was an even better-known person, a mentally retarded young man with a limp, named
James Wilson, called "Daft Jamie", who was 18 at the time of his murder. The boy resisted, and the pair had to kill
him together. His mother began to ask for her boy. When Dr. Knox uncovered the body the next morning, several
students recognized Jamie. His head and feet were cut off after Knox had shown his students the body. Knox denied
that it was Jamie, but he apparently began to dissect his face first.
The last victim was Marjory Campbell Docherty. Burke lured her into the lodging house by claiming that his mother
was also a Docherty, but he had to wait because of James and Ann Gray, who were lodging with them. The Grays
left for the night and neighbours heard the noise of a struggle.
Detection
The next day, Ann Gray became suspicious when Burke would not let her approach a bed where she had left her
stockings. When the Grays were left alone in the house in the early evening, they checked the bed and found
Docherty's body under it. On their way to alert the police, they ran into M'Dougal who tried to bribe them with an
offer of £10 a week. They refused.
Burke and Hare had removed the body from the house before the police arrived; however, under questioning, Burke
claimed that Docherty had left at 7:00 am, but then MacDougal claimed that she had left in the evening. The police
arrested them. An anonymous tip-off led them to Knox's classroom where they found Docherty's body, which James
Gray identified. William and Margaret Hare were arrested soon thereafter. The murder spree had lasted twelve
months.
When an Edinburgh paper wrote about the disappearances on 6 November 1828, Brown heard about it and went to
the police. She identified Patterson's clothing.
The evidence against the pair was not overwhelming, so Lord
Advocate Sir William Rae offered Hare immunity from prosecution if
he confessed and agreed to testify against Burke. Hare's testimony led
to Burke's death sentence in December 1828. He was hanged on 28
January 1829, after which he was publicly dissected at the Edinburgh
Medical College.[8] His skeleton, death mask, and items made from his
tanned skin are displayed at the college's museum.[9] [10]
The execution of William Burke on The
Lawnmarket, 28 January 1829 M'Dougal was released, since her complicity to the murders was not
provable. Knox was not prosecuted, despite public outrage at his role
in providing an incentive for the 16 murders. Burke swore in his confession that Knox had known nothing of the
origin of the cadavers.[4]
Aftermath
M'Dougal returned to her house but was attacked by an angry mob. She may have returned to her family in Stirling.
She was rumoured to have left for Australia where she died around 1868. Margaret Hare also escaped lynching and
reputedly returned to Ireland. Nothing more is known about her.
Hare was released in February 1829, and many popular tales tell of him as a blind beggar on the streets of London,
having been mobbed and thrown in a lime pit. However, none of these reports were ever confirmed. The last known
sighting of him was in the English town of Carlisle.
Knox kept silent about his dealings with Burke and Hare, and he continued to employ Edinburgh body-snatchers
while lecturing on anatomy. After the Anatomy Act was passed in 1832, his popularity among students decreased.
His applications for formal positions in the Edinburgh Medical School were rejected. He moved to the Cancer
Hospital in London and died in 1862.
Political consequences
The murders highlighted the crisis in medical education and led to the subsequent passing of the Anatomy Act 1832,
which expanded the legal supply of medical cadavers to eliminate the incentive for such behaviour. About the law,
the Lancet editorial stated:
"Burke and Hare ... it is said, are the real authors of the measure, and that which would never have been
sanctioned by the deliberate wisdom of parliament, is about to be extorted from its fears ... It would have
been well if this fear had been manifested and acted upon before sixteen human beings had fallen
victims to the supineness of the Government and the Legislature. It required no extraordinary sagacity,
to foresee that the worst consequences must inevitably result from the system of traffic between
resurrectionists and anatomists, which the executive government has so long suffered to exist.
Government is already in a great degree, responsible for the crime which it has fostered by its
negligence, and even encouraged by a system of forbearance."[11]
In media portrayals
The Burke and Hare murders are referenced in Robert Louis Stevenson's short story, "The Body Snatcher", which
portrays two doctors in Robert Knox's employ responsible for buying the corpses from the killers.
The 1945 film The Body Snatcher, directed by Robert Wise, stars Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff.[12] The murders
were adapted into a 1948 film with the working title Crimes of Burke and Hare; however, the British Board of Film
Censors deemed its topic too disturbing and insisted that references to Burke and Hare be excised. The film was
redubbed with alternative dialogue and characters, and was released as The Greed of William Hart.[13]
Dylan Thomas' 1953 screenplay, The Doctor and the Devils, is a retelling of the Burke and Hare murder story, in
which the names of the characters were altered. It was realised as a film in 1985 which starred Timothy Dalton as Dr
Rock (Thomas' characterisation of Dr Knox) and was directed by Freddie Francis.[14]
The 1960 film The Flesh and the Fiends starred Peter Cushing as Knox, Donald Pleasence as Hare and George Rose
as Burke.[15] The following year, The Anatomist featured Alastair Sim as Knox.[16]
The 23 November 1964 episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, "The McGregor Affair" featured Burke and Hare as
characters. Andrew Duggan starred as McGregor, a man who hauls items for Burke and Hare. Burke was played by
Arthur Malet, and Hare by Michael Pate.
The 1971 film Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde transported Burke and Hare into the late Victorian era and portrayed them
as being employed by Dr. Jekyll. Burke was played by Ivor Dean and Hare by Tony Calvin.
The 1972 film Burke & Hare starred Derren Nesbitt as Burke and Glynn Edwards as Hare.
Burke and Hare, a film based upon the historical case, starring Simon Pegg as Burke and Andy Serkis as Hare, and
directed by John Landis, began filming in early 2010, and is due for release later in the same year.[17] [18]
Works referenced
• Howard, Amanda; Martin Smith (2004). "William Burke and William Hare". River of Blood: Serial Killers and
Their Victims. Universal. ISBN 1581125186.
Further reading
• Adams, Norman (2002). Scottish Bodysnatchers. Goblinshead. ISBN 1899874402.
• Bailey, Brian (2002). Burke and Hare: The Year of the Ghouls. Mainstream. ISBN 1840185759.
• Conaghan, Martin; Pickering, Will (2009). Burke and Hare. Insomnia Publications. ISBN 1905808127.
• Douglas, Hugh (1973). Burke and Hare. Hale. ISBN 070913777X.
• Edwards, Owen Dudley (1993). Burke and Hare. Mercat Press. ISBN 1873644256.
• MacDonald, Helen (2005). Human Remains: Episodes in Human Dissection. Melbourne University Press.
ISBN 0522851576.
• Menefee, Samuel Pyeatt; Simpson, Allen D.C. (1994). "The West Port Murders and the Miniature Coffins from
Arthur's Seat". Book of the Old Edinburgh Club. 3. The Old Edinburgh Club. pp. ns 63–81.
• Richardson, Ruth (2001). Death, Dissection and the Destitute: The Politics of the Corpse in Pre-Victorian
Britain. Chicago University Press. ISBN 0226712400.
• Rosner, Lisa (2009). The Anatomy Murders: Being the True and Spectacular History of Edinburgh's Notorious
Burke and Hare and of the Man of Science Who Abetted Them in the Commission of Their Most Heinous Crimes.
University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 9780812241914.
• Roughead, William; Sante, Luc (2000). "The West Port Murders". Classic Crimes: A Selection from the Works of
William Roughead. New York Review of Books. ISBN 0940322463.
External links
• Buried secrets of the city murder dolls [19]
• Newspaper clipping of the notice of execution of Burke [20]
• Searchable collection of printed materials from the New York Academy of Medicine, related to the murders, trial,
and execution of Burke [21]
• Images of the worlds of Burke and Hare, including animated tours of 19th century Edinburgh [22]
• The Resurrectionists: Burke and Hare [23]
References
[1] "William Burke & William Hare" (http:/ / www. crimelibrary. com/ serial_killers/ weird/ burke/ foursome_2. html). .
[2] The Oxford English Dictionary (online)(subscription required) "burking gives two definitions; 1) to murder after the manner of Burke 2) to
stifle or quietly suppress" (http:/ / www. oed. com). The Oxford English Dictionary (online)(subscription required).
[3] Howard, Amanda; Martin Smith (2004). "William Burke and William Hare". River of Blood: Serial Killers and Their Victims. Universal.
p. 50. ISBN 1581125186.
[4] "William Burke, Confessions". West Port Murders. Edinburgh: Thomas Ireland. 1829.
[5] West Port Murders. Edinburgh: Thomas Ireland. 1829.
[6] "Preface". Trial of William Burke and Helen M'Dougal. Edinburgh: Robert Buchanan. 1829.
[7] Lonsdale, Henry (1870). A Sketch of the Life and Writings of Robert Knox, the Anatomist. London: MacMillan.
[8] *Howard, Amanda; Martin Smith (2004). "William Burke and William Hare". River of Blood: Serial Killers and Their Victims. Universal.
p. 54. ISBN 1581125186.
[9] "Burke's skin pocket book" (http:/ / www. webcitation. org/ 5bUW8rrX2). Scotland Medicine. Archived from the original (http:/ / www.
scotlandandmedicine. com/ site/ CMD=PICDETAIL/ PICID=248/ 838/ default. aspx) on 2008-10-11. . Retrieved 2008-10-11.
[10] "William Burke" (http:/ / www. webcitation. org/ 5bUWKr0cS). Gazetteer for Scotland. Archived from the original (http:/ / www. geo. ed.
ac. uk/ scotgaz/ people/ famousfirst354. html) on 2008-10-11. . Retrieved 2008-10-11.
[11] Lancet editorial, 1828-9 (1), pp 818-21, 28 March 1829.
[12] The Body Snatcher (1945) (http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt0037549/ ) at the Internet Movie Database
[13] The Greed of William Hart (1948) (http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt0040401/ ) at the Internet Movie Database
[14] The Doctor and the Devils (1985) (http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt0089034/ ) at the Internet Movie Database
[15] The Flesh and the Fiends (1960) (http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt0052811/ ) at the Internet Movie Database
[16] The Anatomist (1961) (http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt0054626/ ) at the Internet Movie Database
[17] Shaun of the dead's Simon Pegg becomes body snatcher in new film... with Gollum as a sidekick (http:/ / www. dailymail. co. uk/ tvshowbiz/
article-1253173/ Shaun-Of-The-Deads-Simon-Pegg-bodysnatcher-new-film--Gollum-sidekick. html), The Daily Mail, 24 February 2010
[18] First look at Pegg & Serkis' deadly duo (http:/ / www. empireonline. com/ news/ story. asp?NID=27380), Empire, 23 March 2010
[19] http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20071219031939rn_2/ heritage. scotsman. com/ notoriouscriminalsfeatureseries/ Buried-secrets-of-the-city.
2683255. jp
[20] http:/ / archive. scotsman. com/ article. cfm?id=TSC/ 1829/ 01/ 31/ Ar00601
[21] http:/ / nyam. org/ library/ pages/ historical_collections_resurrectionists
[22] http:/ / burkeandhare. com
[23] http:/ / skyelander. orgfree. com/ burkhare. html
Cannock Chase murders

The Cannock Chase murders (also known as the A34 murders) were the murders of three young school girls that
occurred in Staffordshire, England, during the late 1960s. In a trial reported to have received "unprecedented public
interest," Raymond Leslie Morris of Walsall was convicted at Staffordshire Assizes of the murder of Christine Ann
Darby after one of the largest manhunts in British history.[1] [2] [3] [4] Morris is also considered the chief suspect in
the deaths of Margaret Reynolds and Diana Joy Tift.[1] [5] [6]
Raymond Leslie Morris

Raymond Leslie Morris was born 13 August 1929 in Walsall, Staffordshire.[7] He lived in Walsall his entire life and
was reported to have an IQ of 120.[6] [7] Morris went through a variety of jobs before landing a position as a foreman
engineer at a precision instruments factory in Oldbury, West Midlands, in 1967.[1] [7] [8] In 1951, he married 'the girl
next door", who was two years younger than him, and fathered two boys.[6] [9] He kicked her out of the house after
eight years of marriage, then divorced her on the grounds of adultery when she had another man's child.[6] Morris's
first wife would later describe him as a man with a need to express violent sexual dominance.[6] At the age of 35,
Morris was married again, this time to a 21-year-old woman named Carol.[7] At the time the A34 murders were
committed, Morris and his wife lived at Flat 20, Regent House, Green Lane, Walsall – a council-owned flat in
Birchills, directly opposite the police station.[7] [8]
The murders
On 12 January 1966, the bodies of Margaret Reynolds, age 6, and Diana Joy Tift, age 5, were found together in a
ditch at Mansty Gully on Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.[10] [11] Reynolds went missing on her way to school in
Aston, Birmingham, on 8 September 1965 and Tift went missing on a short walk to her grandmother's house in
Bloxwich on 30 December that year.[8] [9] Two thousand people searched for Reynolds in the hours following her
disappearance.[5]
On 22 August 1967, a soldier who was a member of a search party found the sprawled, naked body of
seven-year-old Christine Darby beneath brushwood only a mile away from where Reynolds and Tift were
discovered.[4] [10] Christine had been enticed into a car by a strange man near her home in Camden Street, Caldmore,
Walsall, on 19 August 1967.[12] Witnesses in Walsall explained that they saw a man in a grey car who spoke in a
local accent, while two others who had been on Cannock Chase remembered seeing a grey Austin A55 or A60.[13]
The investigation
The three murders were similar in that each victim was determined to have been coaxed into a car while near her
home, then murdered after being sexually assaulted.[10] Darby, Reynolds, and Tift lived within a seventeen mile
radius of each other and near the A34 road that passes through Cannock Chase. The murders were collectively
known as the "A34 murders"[1] or "Cannock Chase murders".[3] The Cannock Chase/A34 murders sparked one of the
biggest murder investigations in British criminal history.[2] [4] [11] [14] [15] The manhunt was larger than that of the
infamous Moors murders.[7] Prior to making an arrest, 150 detectives would visit 39,000 homes, interview 80,000
people and check over a million car forms.[4] [10] Culling 25,000 vehicles from 1,375,000 files, investigators checked
every Austin A55 and A60 in the Midlands.[7] The hunt for the Cannock Chase murderer was led by Sir Stanley
Bailey, Staffordshire’s Assistant Chief Constable at the time.[16] [17]
The breakthrough and arrest

On 4 November 1968, 10-year-old Margaret Aulton in Walsall managed to escape from a man who attempted to
force her into his green and white Ford Corsair.[7] [8] An 18-year-old housewife made a mental note of the vehicle
registration plate, the car was traced back to Morris, and he was arrested in connection with the attempted
abduction.[8] [13] The police were aware that Morris, who had been interviewed four times in four years, had owned a
grey Austin A55 similar to the one used in the abduction of Darby.[7] [8] He had been considered a suspect in Darby's
death, but his wife provided him with an alibi by stating that the couple were shopping together the day she went
missing.[7] [9] [13] A police search of the Morris flat uncovered pornographic photographs of a young girl who was
later determined to be Carol Morris's five-year-old niece.[7] Scotland Yard detectives arrested Raymond Morris for
Darby's murder on 16 November 1968.[2] Two charges of indecent assault on the niece and one for the attempted
abduction of Aulton would also be filed against Morris.[7]
The trial and conviction

Carol Morris would eventually become the chief witness for the prosecution and retract what she had initially told
investigators about shopping on the day of Darby's murder.[7] [9] [13] On 16 November 1968, Raymond Leslie Morris
was found guilty of the rape and murder of seven-year-old Christine Darby. His sentencing was delayed until the
new year, when he was sentenced to life imprisonment.[5] As of August 2001, he was incarcerated at Wymott Prison
and was planning to appeal against his conviction.[3]
Although convicted only of murdering Darby, Morris is considered the chief suspect in the deaths of Reynolds and
Tift.[1] [5] [6] Reynolds's relatives consider Morris to be her killer.[5] In addition, 10-year-old Jane Taylor disappeared
from the Cannock area on 14 August 1966 and has not been seen since. Morris has also been named as a possible
suspect in connection with Taylor's disappearance. Some 40 years on, he has yet to challenge his conviction in court
and is still in prison as one of the longest serving prisoners in England and Wales.[18]
In the media
Morris has been dubbed the Cannock Chase murderer.[5] [6] [19] A 1971 book compared and analyzed various
English newspapers' handling of the widely reported discovery of Reynolds's and Tift's remains.[20] Morris was
featured in a 1995 report in Central Independent Television's crime magazine series Crime Stalker[21] and a 2004
documentary of the Cannock Chase murders was televised on the ITV series To Catch A Killer.[22] [23] Morris and
the Cannock Chase murders are referred to in David Peace's novel Nineteen Seventy-Four.[19]
Further reading
• Hawkes, Harry (1971). Murder on the A34. London: John Long. (ISBN 0-09102-960-0)
• Molloy, Pat (1988). Not the Moors Murders: A Detective's Story of the Biggest Child-Killer Hunt in History.
Gomer Press. (ISBN 0-86383-473-6)
See also
• Robert Black (serial killer)
External links
• Serial Killer Central [24]
References
[1] "Chase killer jailed for life" (http:/ / www. expressandstar. com/ millennium/ 1900/ 1950-1975/ 1969. html). expressandstar.com. . Retrieved
September 3, 2009.
[2] "Yard Nabs Suspect in Child's Murder" (http:/ / pqasb. pqarchiver. com/ courant/ access/ 960862472. html?dids=960862472:960862472&
FMT=ABS& FMTS=ABS:AI& type=historic& date=Nov+ 17,+ 1968& author=& pub=Hartford+ Courant& desc=Yard+ Nabs+ Suspect+
in+ Child's+ Murder& pqatl=google). The Hartford Courant (1923-1984) - Hartford, Conn.: pp. 19A. Nov 17, 1968. . Retrieved September 9,
2009.
[3] "Child killer to appeal after 32 years" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ uk_news/ 1494495. stm). BBC News. 2001-08-16. . Retrieved
September 9, 2009.
[4] "Murders left area asking: Whose child will be next?" (http:/ / content. blackcountry. com/ mm/ publish/ article_302. php).
expressandstar.com. . Retrieved September 8, 2009.
[5] "Child killer 'should rot in prison'" (http:/ / www. birminghammail. net/ news/ top-stories/ 2005/ 09/ 08/
child-killer-should-rot-in-prison-97319-15944998/ ). BirminghamMail.net. . Retrieved September 9, 2009.
[6] Wilson, Colin; Damon Wilson (2000). The Mammoth Book of the History of Murder (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=auR_Psm--pcC&
lpg=PP1& pg=PP1#v=onepage& q=& f=false). Carroll & Graf Publishers. pp. ix, 129–132. ISBN 9780786707140. . Retrieved September 9,
2009.
[7] Frasier, David K. (1996). Murder cases of the twentieth century: biographies and bibliographies of 280 convicted or accused killers (http:/ /
books. google. com/ books?id=sHvaAAAAMAAJ& dq="Raymond+ Leslie+ Morris"+ -inpublisher:icon& as_brr=0). University of Michigan:
McFarland & Co. pp. 325–329. ISBN 9780786401840. . Retrieved September 9, 2009.
[8] Butler, Ivan (1973). Murderers' England (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=FI3aAAAAMAAJ& q="Raymond+ Leslie+ Morris"+
-inpublisher:icon& dq="Raymond+ Leslie+ Morris"+ -inpublisher:icon& as_brr=0). University of Michigan: Hale. p. 71.
ISBN 9780709140542. . Retrieved September 9, 2009.
[9] "Raymond Leslie Morris" (http:/ / www. skcentral. com/ articles. php?article_id=276). Serial Killer Central. . Retrieved 3 September 2009.
[10] Borrell, Clive; Brian Cashinella (1975). Crime in Britain today (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=u6A9AAAAIAAJ&
printsec=frontcover& source=gbs_v2_summary_r& cad=0#v=onepage& q=& f=false). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd. pp. 50–52.
[11] "All over - and we've won!" (http:/ / www. expressandstar. com/ days/ 1950-75/ 1966. html). expressandstar.com. . Retrieved September 4,
2009.
[12] The new murderers' who's who (http:/ / books. google. co. uk/ books?id=-XvaAAAAMAAJ& q="Raymond+ Leslie+ Morris"&
dq="Raymond+ Leslie+ Morris"). . Retrieved 3rd September 2009.
[13] "Morris, Raymond Leslie" (http:/ / www. real-crime. co. uk/ Murder1/ docm. htm#Morris, Raymond Leslie). http:/ / real-crime. co. uk/ . .
Retrieved September 9, 2009.
[14] "Taking Ten With...Bob Warman" (http:/ / www. staffordshire. gov. uk/ yourcouncil/ ys/ articles/ takingten/ ). Staffordshire County Council.
. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
[15] "Mistakes that prolonged a nightmare" (http:/ / content. blackcountry. com/ mm/ publish/ article_301. php). expressandstar.com. . Retrieved
September 8, 2009.
[16] "Black Panther police chief dies at 81" (http:/ / www. expressandstar. com/ 2008/ 08/ 28/ black-panther-police-chief-dies-at-81/ ).
expressandstar.com. . Retrieved September 9, 2009.
[17] "Sir Stanley Bailey" (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ obituaries/ 2634155/ Sir-Stanley-Bailey. html). London: Telegraph.co.uk.
2008-08-27. . Retrieved September 9, 2009.
[18] http:/ / www. crimezzz. net/ serialkillers/ M/ MORRIS_raymond_leslie. php
[19] Peace, David (1999). Nineteen Seventy-four (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=P4j3l1DW5cAC& printsec=frontcover&
source=gbs_v2_summary_r& cad=0#v=onepage& q=& f=false). London: Profile Books Ltd. pp. 17, 24, 99. ISBN 978-0-307-45508-6. .

[20] Jackson, Ian (1971). The Provincial Press and the Community (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=SCjoAAAAIAAJ& lpg=PA69&
dq="diane tift" bodies& pg=PA61#v=onepage& q=& f=false). Manchester: Manchester University Press ND. pp. 61–73.
[21] "CRIME STALKER: CRIME STALKER[01/02/95 (http:/ / ftvdb. bfi. org. uk/ sift/ title/ 522217)"]. British Film Institute. . Retrieved
September 8, 2009.
[22] "TO CATCH A KILLER" (http:/ / ftvdb. bfi. org. uk/ sift/ series/ 42164). British Film Institute. . Retrieved September 8, 2009.
[23] "TO CATCH A KILLER: CANNOCK CHASE MURDERS" (http:/ / ftvdb. bfi. org. uk/ sift/ title/ 819703). British Film Institute. .
[24] http:/ / www. skcentral. com/ readarticle. php?article_id=276
Catherine Wilson
Catherine Wilson (1822 - 20 October 1862) was a British woman who was hanged for one murder, but was
generally thought at the time to have killed six others.[1] She worked as a nurse and poisoned her victims after
encouraging them to leave her money in their wills. She was described privately by the sentencing judge as "the
greatest criminal that ever lived."[2]
Crimes
Wilson worked as a nurse[2] [3] (though there is doubt as to whether she had proper qualifications[4] ) first in
Spalding, Lincolnshire, and then moving to Kirkby, Cumbria.[4] She married a man called Dixon, but her husband
soon died, probably poisoned with colchicum, a bottle of which was found in his room. The doctor recommended an
autopsy but Wilson begged him not to perform it, and he backed down.[4]
In 1862 Wilson worked as a live-in nurse, nursing a Mrs Sarah Carnell. Carnell rewrote her will in favour of Wilson
and soon afterwards Wilson brought her a 'soothing draught', saying "Drink it down, love; it will warm you."[2]
Carnell took a mouthful and spat it out, complaining that it had burnt her mouth. Later it was noticed that a hole had
been burnt in the bed clothes by the liquid. Wilson then fled to London but was arrested a couple of days later.
First trial
The drink she had given to Carnell turned out to contain sulphuric acid - enough to kill fifty people.[3] Wilson
claimed that the acid had been mistakenly given to her by the pharmacist who prepared the medicine. She was tried
for attempted murder but acquitted. The judge, Baron Bramwell, in the words of Wilson's lawyer Montagu Williams,
Q.C., "pointed out that the theory of the defence was an untenable one, as, had the bottle contained the poison when
the prisoner received it, it would have become red-hot or would have burst, before she arrived at the invalid's
bedside. However, there is no accounting for juries; and, at the end of the Judge's summing-up, to the astonishment
probably of almost everybody in Court" she was found not guilty.[2] When Wilson attempted to leave the dock, she
was immediately rearrested.
The police had continued their investigations into Wilson and had exhumed the bodies of some former patients. She
was charged with the murder of seven former patients, but tried on just one, Mrs Maria Soames who died in 1856[5] .
Wilson denied all the charges.
Catherine Wilson 24
Second trial
Wilson was tried on 22 September 1862. During the trial it was alleged that seven people who Wilson had lived with
as nurse had died after rewriting their wills to leave her some money, but this evidence was not admitted.[2] Almost
all though had suffered from gout. She was tried by Mr Justice Byles who in summing up said to the jury:
"Gentlemen, if such a state of things as this were allowed to exist no living person could sit down to a meal in
safety". She was found guilty and sentenced to hang.[2] A crowd of 20,000 turned out to see her execution at
Newgate Gaol on 20 October 1862.[3] [4] She was the last woman to be publicly hanged in London.[6]
After the trial Justice Byles asked the defence lawyer Montagu Williams, Q.C., to come to his chambers, where he
told him: "I sent for you to tell you that you did that case remarkably well. But it was no good; the facts were too
strong. I prosecuted Rush for the murder of Mr. Jermy, I defended Daniel Good, and I defended several other notable
criminals when I was on the Norfolk Circuit; but, if it will be of any satisfaction to you, I may tell you that in my
opinion you have to-day defended the greatest criminal that ever lived."[2]
Public reaction to crimes

Wilson's punishment, the first death sentence handed down to a woman by the Central Criminal Court in fourteen
years, drew little condemnation. In the view of Harper's Weekly, "From the age of fourteen to that of forty-three her
career was one of undeviating yet complex vice [...] She was as foul in life as bloody in hand, and she seems not to
have spared the poison draught even to the partners of her adultery and sensuality. Hers was an undeviating career of
the foulest personal vices and the most cold-blooded and systematic murders, as well as deliberate and treacherous
robberies."[1] It was generally thought that Wilson was guilty of more crimes than the one she was convicted of.
Harper's went on: "We speak without hesitation of her crimes as plural, because, adopting the language of Mr.
Justice Byles with reference to the death of Mrs. Soames, we not only "never heard of a case in which it was more
clearly proved that murder had been committed, and where the excruciating pain and agony of the victim were
watched with so much deliberation by the murderer," but also because the same high judicial authority, having
access to the depositions in another case, pronounced, in words of unexampled gravity and significance, "that he had
no more doubt but that Mrs. Atkinson was also murdered by Catherine Wilson than if he had seen the crime
committed with his own eyes." Nor did these two murders comprise the catalogue of her crimes. That she, who
poisoned her paramour Mawer, again poisoned a second lover, one Dixon, robbed and poisoned Mrs. Jackson,
attempted the life of a third paramour named Taylor, and administered sulphuric acid to a woman in whose house
she was a lodger, only in the present year — of all this there seems to be no reasonable doubt, though these several
cases have received no regular criminal inquiry. Seven murders known, if not judicially proved, do not after all,
perhaps, complete Catherine Wilson's evil career. And if any thing were wanted to add to the magnitude of these
crimes it would be found, not only in the artful and devilish facility with which she slid herself into the confidence of
the widow and the unprotected — not only in the slow, gradual way in which she first sucked out the substance of
her victims before she administered, with fiendish coolness, the successive cups of death under the sacred character
of friend and nurse — but in the atrocious malignity by which she sought to destroy the character and reputation of
the poor creatures, and to fix the ignominy of suicide on the objects of her own robbery and murder."[1]
Catherine Wilson 25
See also
• Dorothea Waddingham - British nurse who murdered patients.
• John Bodkin Adams - British doctor suspected of murdering 163 patients. Left money by 132 of them.
External links
• Copy of a contemporary report of her trial and execution, with engraving [7]
• Old Bailey trial records [8]
References
[1] Harper's Weekly, 22 November 1862 (http:/ / www. sonofthesouth. net/ leefoundation/ civil-war/ 1862/ november/
execution-catharine-wilson. htm)
[2] Montagu Williams, Leaves of a Life, Chapter VII (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ leavesoflifebein01willuoft/
leavesoflifebein01willuoft_djvu. txt)
[3] Real Crime (http:/ / real-crime. co. uk/ Murder1/ DOCWFEM. HTML)
[4] Murder UK (http:/ / www. murderuk. com/ serial_catherine_wilson. html)
[5] Harvard library (http:/ / vc. lib. harvard. edu/ vc/ deliver/ vcDeepLink?collection=crimes& uniqueId=008120856)
[6] True Crime Library (http:/ / www. truecrimelibrary. com/ crime_series_show. php?id=457& series_number=3)
[7] http:/ / pds. lib. harvard. edu/ pds/ view/ 4788888
[8] http:/ / www. oldbaileyonline. org/ browse. jsp?id=def1-996-18620922& div=t18620922-996#highlight
Colin Ireland 26
Colin Ireland
Colin Ireland
Mug Shot
Birth name: Colin Ireland
Also known as: The Gay Slayer
Born: 16 March 1954

Dartford, Kent, England, UK
Killings
Span of killings: 1993–1993
Date apprehended: 1993
Colin Ireland (born 16 March 1954) is a British serial killer known as the "Gay Slayer" because he specifically
murdered gay men. His victims were five men.
Ireland, who had picked up convictions for burglary and robbery in his twenties, decided to become a serial killer as
a New Year resolution at the beginning of 1993. That year, while living in Southend, he started frequenting The
Coleherne pub, a gay pub in west London. It was known as a place where men cruised for sexual partners and wore
colour coded handkerchiefs that indicated their preferred role. Ireland sought men who liked the passive role and
sadomasochism, so he could readily restrain them as they initially believed it was a sexual game.
Ireland claimed to be heterosexual — he had been married — and that he pretended to be gay only to befriend
potential victims. It is unknown whether Ireland's murders were sexually motivated. Ireland was highly organised.
He carried a full murder kit of rope and handcuffs and a full change of clothes to each murder. After killing the
victim he cleaned the flat of any forensic evidence linking him to the scene and stayed in the flat until morning in
order to avoid arousing suspicion from leaving in the middle of the night.
List of murders
Murder 1: Peter Walker

Walker, a 45-year-old choreographer, took Ireland back to his flat in Battersea. There he was bound, and ultimately
suffocated by a plastic bag over his head.
Ireland placed two teddy bears in a 69 position on the body. Ireland left Walker's dogs locked in another room. The
day after the murder, having heard no news reports of the crime, he called Samaritans and a journalist from The Sun
newspaper, advising them of the dogs, and that he had murdered their master.
Colin Ireland 27
Murder 2: Christopher Dunn

Dunn was a 37-year-old librarian who lived in Wealdstone. Dunn's death was initially believed to be an accident that
occurred during an erotic game. In addition, because he lived in a different area from Walker, a different set of
investigators worked on the case. For these reasons the death was not linked to Walker's.
Murder 3: Perry Bradley III

Ireland met a 35-year-old [1] businessman, named Perry Bradley III, at the Colherne pub. Bradley lived in
Kensington and was the son of a prominent politician from Texas.[2]
The two men returned to Bradley's flat, where Ireland suggested that he tie Bradley up. Bradley expressed his
displeasure at the idea of sado-masochism. In order to get Bradley to comply, Ireland told Bradley that he was unable
to perform sexually without elements of bondage. Bradley hesitantly cooperated and was soon trussed up on his own
bed, face down, with a noose around his neck.
After Ireland had secured Bradley, he demanded money from him and demanded his PIN under the threat of torture.
Ireland assured Bradley that he was merely a thief and would leave after he secured Bradley's money. After Bradley
gave Ireland his PIN, which Ireland later used to steal £200, along with £100 in cash stolen from Bradley's flat,
Ireland told Bradley that he should go to sleep, as he wouldn't be leaving his flat for hours. Bradley eventually did
fall asleep and Ireland momentarily thought of leaving Bradley unharmed. Ireland then realized that Bradley could
identify him, and he pulled the noose that he had earlier attached around Bradley's neck and strangled him. Before
leaving Bradley's flat, he placed a doll on top of the dead man's body.
Bradley was described in police reports as heterosexual. This was not true and perhaps done to protect his family.
This contributed to the failure by investigators to link the different murders.
Murder 4: Andrew Collier

Ireland, angered that he had received no publicity even after three murders, killed again within three days. At the pub
he met and courted 33-year-old Andrew Collier, a housing warden, and the pair went to Collier's home in Dalston.
After entering the flat there was a disturbance outside and both men went to the window to investigate. Ireland
gripped a horizontal metal bar that ran across the window. He later forgot to wipe the bar for prints during his usual
cleanup phase. The police found this fingerprint.
Once he had tied up his victim on the bed, Ireland again demanded his victim's bank details. This time his victim
refused to comply. Ireland killed Collier's cat in Collier's presence whilst he was restrained on the bed. Ireland then
strangled Collier with a noose. He put a condom on Collier's penis and placed the dead cats' mouth over it, and
placed the cat's tail into Collier's mouth.
Ireland had become angered at discovering Collier was HIV positive while rummaging through his personal effects
looking for bank details. A suspected reason for killing the cat was because after Ireland killed Walker and had left
his his dogs locked in a separate room, he called anonymously to advise of the dogs being locked up. As a result the
media called the killer an animal lover. He strangled the cat to demonstrate that the "animal lover" assumption had
been wrong.
Ireland left the next morning with £70.
Ireland left a clue for the police by putting a condom in Collier's mouth, just as he had done to Walker, creating an
obvious link between the two murders.
Colin Ireland 28
Murder 5: Emanuel Spiteri

The fifth victim of Ireland's series (he had read that serial killers needed at least five victims to qualify as such) was
Emanuel Spiteri, aged 41, a chef whom Ireland had met in the same pub. They went to Spiteri's flat in Hither Green,
and again Spiteri was persuaded to be cuffed and bound on his bed. Once more, Ireland demanded his bank number
but did not obtain it. He again used a noose to kill his victim.
After carrying out his post-murder ritual of cleaning and clearing the scene, Ireland set fire to the flat and left. He
rang the police later to tell them to look for a body at the scene of a fire and added that he would probably not kill
again.
The connection
The police eventually connected all five killings. The crimes were widely publicised through the mainstream media
and it was quickly known in the gay community and the wider community that a serial killer who specifically
targeted gay men was operating.
Investigations revealed that Spiteri had left the pub and travelled home with his killer by train, and a security video
successfully captured the two of them on the railway platform at Charing Cross station. Ireland recognised himself
and decided to tell police he was the man with Spiteri but not the killer — he claimed to have left Spiteri in the flat
with another man. However, police had also found the fingerprints in Collier's flat which matched those of Ireland.
Convictions and imprisonment

He was charged with the murders of Collier and Spiteri, and confessed to the other three while awaiting trial in
prison. He told police that he had no vendetta against gay men, but picked on them because they were the easiest
targets. He had robbed those he killed to finance his killings because he was unemployed at the time, and he needed
funds to travel to and from London when hunting for victims.
When his case came to the Old Bailey on 20 December 1993, Ireland admitted all charges and was given life
sentences for each. The judge, Mr Justice Sachs, said he was "exceptionally frightening and dangerous", adding: "To
take one human life is an outrage; to take five is carnage."
On 22 December 2006, Ireland was one of 35 life sentence prisoners whose names appeared on the Home Office's
list of prisoners who had been issued with whole life tariffs and were unlikely ever to be released[3] .
Popular culture
Ireland has since become the subject of many books on serial killers, and is mentioned in the Manic Street Preachers
song, Archives Of Pain.
External links
• Crime Library article on Colin Ireland [4]
References
[1] TruTv.com (http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ ireland/ page_11. html)
[2] (http:/ / www. people. com/ people/ archive/ article/ 0,,20110794,00. html)
[3] http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ uknews/ 1537597/ 35-prisoners-are-told-life-means-life. html
[4] http:/ / www. crimelibrary. com/ serial_killers/ predators/ ireland/ story_1. html
Colin Norris 29
Colin Norris
Colin Norris
Also known as: Angel of Death
Born: 1976
Glasgow
Killings
Country: England
Colin Campbell Norris (b. 1976, Glasgow)[1] was a Scottish nurse and convicted serial killer from the Milton area
in Glasgow[1] [2] who murdered four elderly patients in a hospital in Leeds, England, in 2002. He was sentenced in
2008 to serve a minimum of 30 years in prison.
Crimes
Norris worked at Leeds General Infirmary and St James's Hospital. Suspicions were raised when Norris predicted the
death of one patient, Ethel Halls, saying she would die at 5:15am and she did. He stated at the time: "it is always in
the morning when things go wrong".[3] When questioned by police about this and three other patients who had died
while he was on duty, he said "he seemed to have been unlucky over the last 12 months".[3] The four patients were
79, 80, 86 and 88 years old.[4] The police investigated 72 cases in total.[4]
Trial
The trial took 19 weeks and the jury deliberated for 4 days. Norris was convicted on 3 March 2008 of the murder of
four women, and the attempted murder of a fifth aged 90.[5] He was sentenced to life imprisonment, and ordered to
serve a minimum term of 30 years in prison the following day.[6] Judge Mr Justice Griffith rejected any possibility
that Norris was practising euthanasia because none of the victims was terminally ill.[4] He told Norris when
sentencing:
"You are, I have absolutely no doubt, a thoroughly evil and dangerous man. You are an arrogant and
manipulative man with a real dislike of elderly patients. The most telling evidence was that observation
of one of your patients, Bridget Tarpey, who said 'he did not like us old women'."[4]
Referred to in the British press as the "Angel of Death", Norris killed his victims by injecting them with high levels
of insulin.[3] Though his victims were women, Norris is gay.[1]
Jessie McTavish, a nurse convicted and then cleared in 1974 for the murder of an 80-year-old patient with insulin,
has been identified as a possible inspiration for Norris. He once attended a lecture on her case while studying at
nursing college.[1]
Colin Norris 30
Similar cases
In the aftermath of Norris's conviction, the British Media drew comparisons with Doctor Harold Shipman, Britain's
most prolific serial killer who killed more than 250 patients by lethal injections. Det Ch Supt Chris Gregg who
worked on the Shipman case and led the Norris investigation was convinced that Colin Norris would have gone on to
kill considerably more people if he was not stopped in his tracks.[7] .
In 2006 Benjamin Geen, a nurse at a hospital in Banbury, Oxfordshire, was given 17 life sentences for murdering
two of his patients and attacking 15 others. He used a variety of injections which often included insulin.[8]
An inquiry is currently being held into the case of nurse Anne Grigg-Booth who was found dead in 2005. She was
due to stand trial a few months later for the murder of three elderly female patients at Airedale Hospital, Keighley.[8]
External links
• Profile of Norris [9]
References
[1] Stokes, Paul (2008-03-02). "Colin Norris: From student to deadly abuser" (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ main. jhtml?xml=/ news/
2008/ 03/ 03/ nnurse303. xml). The Daily Telegraph (London). . Retrieved 2010-04-30.
[2] Ford, Steve (2008). "Could Colin Norris have been stopped?". Nursing times 104 (10): 8–9. PMID 18416393.
[3] Tom Chivers (2008-03-03). "Colin Norris, 'Angel of Death' nurse, convicted" (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ main. jhtml?xml=/ news/
2008/ 03/ 03/ nnurse503. xml). London: The Daily Telegraph. . Retrieved 2008-03-03.
[4] Jenkins, Russell (2008-03-05). "Killer nurse Colin Norris must serve at least 30 years" (http:/ / www. timesonline. co. uk/ tol/ news/ uk/
crime/ article3481873. ece). The Times (London). . Retrieved 2010-04-30.
[5] "Nurse guilty of killing patients" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ west_yorkshire/ 7267409. stm). BBC News. 2008-03-03. .
Retrieved 2008-03-03.
[6] "Killer nurse must serve 30 years" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ west_yorkshire/ 7276700. stm). BBC News. 2008-03-04. .
[7] Stokes, Paul; Britten, Nick (2008-03-04). "Colin Norris, 'Angel of Death' nurse, jailed for life" (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/
uknews/ 1580651/ Colin-Norris,-'Angel-of-Death'-nurse,-jailed-for-life. html). The Daily Telegraph (London). . Retrieved 2010-04-30.
[8] Echoes of Sensational Case From 1970s - Health - redOrbit (http:/ / www. redorbit. com/ news/ health/ 1281800/
echoes_of_sensational_case_from_1970s/ index. html?source=r_health)
[9] http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ main. jhtml?xml=/ news/ 2008/ 03/ 03/ nnurse303. xml
Dennis Nilsen 31
Dennis Nilsen
Dennis Nilsen
Dennis Nilsen mug shot

Birth name: Dennis Andrew Nilsen
Also known as: The Muswell Hill Murderer

The Kindly Killer
Born: 23 November 1945

Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
Conviction: Attempted murder

Murder
Killings
Span of killings: 30 December 1978–26 January 1983
Country: England
Date apprehended: 8 February, 1983
For the similarly named American politician, see Dennis Nielsen

Dennis Andrew Nilsen (born 23 November 1945, Fraserburgh, Scotland) also known as the Muswell Hill
Murderer and the Kindly Killer is a British serial killer who lived in London.
Nilsen killed at least fifteen men and boys in gruesome circumstances between 1978 and 1983, and was known to
retain corpses for sex acts. He was eventually caught after his disposal of dismembered human entrails blocked his
household drains: the drain cleaning company found that the drains were congested with human flesh and contacted
the police.
Due to the similarities between their crimes, sexuality and lifestyle, Nilsen has been referred to as the "British Jeffrey
Dahmer."[1]
Dennis Nilsen 32
Early life
Nilsen was born at 10 High Street, Strichen, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire to a Scottish mother, Betty White, and a
Norwegian father, Olav Magnus Moksheim, who adopted the surname Nilsen. His father was an alcoholic and his
parents divorced when he was four years old. His mother remarried and sent her son to his grandparents, but after a
couple of years he was sent back to his mother again.
Nilsen claimed the first traumatic event to shape his life came about when he was a small child, when his beloved
grandfather died of a heart attack in October, 1951.[2] His strict Roman Catholic mother insisted that he should view
the body before burial. During Nilsen's childhood, his mother and stepfather frequently lectured him about the
"impurities of the flesh".
Army service and move to London

In 1961, Nilsen left school and enlisted in the British Army where he became a cook in South Yemen, Cyprus,
Berlin, Germany and the Shetland Islands. He served in the army for 11 years, earning a General Service Medal
before being discharged, at his own request, in November,1972.[3]
In December, 1972, Nilsen joined the Metropolitan Police, and was posted to Willesden, London in 1973. Nilsen
served eight months as a police officer before resigning.
From 1974[4] , Nilsen worked as a civil servant in a jobcentre in London's Kentish Town. He was also active in the
trade union movement, even going on other people's picket lines in solidarity. In November, 1975, Nilsen moved
into Melrose Avenue in the Cricklewood district of London.
Murders and arrest

Nilsen is known to have killed 15 men and boys. Most of his victims were students or homeless men. He picked
them up in bars or on the streets and brought them to his house. He strangled and drowned his victims during the
night. He used his butchering skills, which he gained from his time as a cook in the army, to help him dispose of the
bodies. The bodies were not immediately dismembered, but were kept, sometimes for several months, in different
locations in his home, usually under the floorboards. Nilsen was known to engage in sex acts with the corpses.[5] [6]
Nilsen had access to a large garden when living at 195 Melrose Avenue, Cricklewood, North West London. He was
able to burn many of the remains in a bonfire. Entrails were dumped over the garden fence to be eaten by wildlife.
In October, 1981,[7] Nilsen moved several miles eastwards to an attic flat at 23 Cranley Gardens, Muswell Hill. As
his murders continued, he found it difficult to dispose of the remains and had bin bags full of human organs stored in
his wardrobe. Neighbours had begun to notice the smell. Three people were murdered at this address, and all were
stored in cupboards and chests. Nilsen attempted to dispose of the bodies by boiling the heads, hands and feet to
remove the flesh and by chopping the entrails into small pieces and flushing them down the toilet. When he tried to
dispose of the bodies by flushing them down the toilet, he blocked the sewers of the flats.
Nilsen's murders were first discovered by Dyno-Rod, a drain cleaning company responding to a blocked drain. The
company found the drain was packed with a flesh-like substance. The drain inspector then called his supervisor, but
no assessment was made until the next day, by which time the drain had been cleared. This aroused the suspicions of
the drain inspector and his supervisor, who immediately called the police. Upon closer inspection, some small bones
and what looked like chicken flesh were found in a pipe leading off from the drain, with rats feeding on them; these
were later discovered to be of human origin. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Jay was called to the scene with two
colleagues and waited outside until Nilsen returned home from work. As they entered the building DCI Jay
introduced himself to Nilsen and explained that he had come about his drains. Nilsen asked why would the police be
interested in his drains and also if the two officers were health inspectors. He was told they were police colleagues
and given their names. They then climbed the stairs together and as they entered the flat DCI Jay immediately smelt
rotting flesh. Nilsen queried why the police would be interested in his drains, so the officer told him they were filled
Dennis Nilsen 33
with human remains. "Good grief, how awful!" exclaimed Nilsen. "Don't mess about, where's the rest of the body?"
replied Jay. Nilsen responded calmly, admitting that they were in two plastic bags in his wardrobe. He was then
arrested and cautioned on suspicion of murder and taken to the police station. On the way back to the station, Nilsen
was asked how many bodies they were talking about and replied "15 or 16".
He later apologised to the police for not being able to tell them the exact number of people he had killed. When his
flat was searched they found human remains inside a tea-chest in a wardrobe. His former address was also searched.
Victims
• Murder 1, Stephen Dean Holmes: Nilsen's first murder took place on 30 December, 1978. Nilsen claimed to
have met his first victim in a gay bar. Nilsen strangled him with a necktie until he was unconscious and then
drowned him in a bucket of water. On 12 January, 2006, it was announced that the victim had been identified as
Stephen Dean Holmes, who was born on 22 March, 1964 and was therefore only 14 at the time; Holmes had been
on his way home from a concert. On 9 November, 2006, Nilsen finally confessed to the murder of Holmes in a
letter sent from his prison cell to the Evening Standard.[8] Nilsen was not charged for the murder as the Crown
Prosecution Service decided that a prosecution would not be in the public interest.[9]
• Between the first and second murders, Nilsen attempted to murder Andrew Ho, a student from Hong Kong he had
met in The Salisbury public house in St. Martin's Lane. Although afterwards he confessed to the police about the
incident no charges were brought and Nilsen was not arrested.
• Murder 2, Kenneth Ockendon: The second victim was 23-year-old Canadian student Kenneth Ockendon.
Nilsen met the tourist in a pub on 3 December, 1979 and escorted him on a tour of Central London, after which
they went back to Nilsen's flat for another drink. Nilsen strangled him with the cord of his headphones whilst
Ockendon was listening to a record. Ockendon was one of the few murder victims who was reported as a missing
person.
• Murder 3, Martyn Duffey: Martyn Duffey was a 16-year-old runaway from Birkenhead. On 17 May, 1980[10] ,
he accepted Nilsen's invitation to come over to his place. Nilsen strangled and subsequently drowned Duffey in
the kitchen sink. [11]
• Murder 4, Billy Sutherland: Billy Sutherland was a 26-year-old father-of-one from Scotland who worked as a
prostitute. Sutherland met Nilsen in a pub in August, 1980. Nilsen could not remember how he murdered
Sutherland; however, it was later revealed that Sutherland had been strangled by bare hands.
• Murder 5, Unidentified: The fifth victim was another man who worked as a prostitute; however, this man was
never identified. All that is known is that he was probably from the Philippines or Thailand.
• Murder 6, Unidentified: Nilsen could recall very little about this and the following two victims. All that Nilsen
could remember about the sixth man was that he was a young Irish labourer that Nilsen had met in the
Cricklewood Arms.[12]
• Murder 7, Unidentified: Nilsen described the seventh victim as a starving "hippy-type" whom Nilsen had found
sleeping in a doorway in Charing Cross.
• Murder 8, Unidentified: Nilsen could recall little about his eighth victim, except that he kept the man's body
under the floorboards of his flat, until he removed the corpse and cut it into three pieces then put it back again. He
burned the corpse one year later.
• At some point between murders 6 and 8, on 10 November, 1980, Nilsen attacked a Scottish barman named
Douglas Stewart, who Nilsen met at the Golden Lion in Dean Street. Stewart woke up while being strangled, and
was able to fend off his attacker. Although Stewart called the police almost immediately after the attack, the
officers refused to take action, reportedly they considered the incident to be a domestic disagreement.
• Murder 9, Unidentified: The ninth victim was a young Scottish man who Nilsen met in the Golden Lion pub in
Soho in January, 1981.[13]
• Murder 10, Unidentified: Another young Scottish man. Nilsen strangled him with a tie and placed the body
under the floorboards.
Dennis Nilsen 34
• Murder 11, Unidentified: Nilsen picked up his eleventh victim in Piccadilly Circus. The man was an English
skinhead and had a tattoo around his neck reading "cut here". The man had boasted to Nilsen about how tough he
was and how he liked to fight. However, once he was drunk, he proved no match for Nilsen, who hung the man's
naked torso in his bedroom for a day, before burying the body under the floorboards.
• Murder 12, Malcom Barlow: The 12th victim was a 24-year-old named Malcolm Barlow. Nilsen murdered
Barlow on 18 September, 1981. Nilsen found Barlow in a doorway not far from his own home, took him in, and
called an ambulance for him. When Barlow was released the next day, he returned to Nilsen's home to thank him
and was pleased to be invited in for a meal and a few drinks. Nilsen murdered Barlow that night. Barlow was the
final victim to be murdered at Melrose Avenue.
In October of 1981, Nilsen moved to a new house in Muswell Hill.
• In November 1981, Nilsen targeted Paul Nobbs, a student, at the Golden Lion in Soho, and invited Nobbs back to
his new home. The student awoke the next morning with little recollection of the previous evening's events, and
later went to see his doctor because of some bruising that had appeared on his neck. The doctor revealed that it
appeared as if the student had been strangled, and advised him to go to the police. However, Nobbs was
concerned about what would happen if his sexual orientation were to be disclosed, and did not go to the police.
• Following this attempted murder, Nilsen targeted Carl Stotter, a drag queen known as Khara Le Fox at The Black
Cap, in Camden. After passing out from strangulation, Stotter became conscious while Nilsen was trying to
drown him in a bath of cold water. Stotter managed to gasp air four times before losing consciousness. Nilsen's
dog then lapped Stotter's face and uncovered signs of life. Nilsen then led Stotter to a railway station, through a
forest where Nilsen may have intended to finally kill Stotter, and the two parted ways. Stotter, due to memory loss
from the event and alcohol before, did not realise for several years that he had almost been killed.
• Murder 13, John Howlett: Howlett had first met Nilsen in a West End pub in December 1981. In March, 1982,
John Howlett was the first victim to be murdered in Nilsen's Muswell Hill home.[14] Howlett was one of the few
who was able to fight back; however, Nilsen had taken a dislike to him and was determined that he should die.
There was a tremendous struggle, in which at one point Howlett even tried to strangle Nilsen back. Eventually,
Nilsen drowned Howlett, holding his head under water for five minutes. Nilsen dismembered Howlett's body, hid
some of Howlett's body parts around the house and flushed others down the toilet.
• Murder 14, Graham Allen: Graham Allen was another homeless man, originally from Scotland, who Nilsen met
in Shaftesbury Avenue in September, 1982.[15] Nilsen took Allen to his home and prepared an omelette for him.
Nilsen crept up on Allen while he was eating and strangled him to death. After murdering Allen, Nilsen left
Allen's body in the bath, unsure how to dispose of it. After three days, Nilsen dismembered him, like his previous
victim. Parts of Allens' remains were what led to the drains being blocked at the flats where Nilsen lived.
• Murder 15, Stephen Sinclair: Nilsen's final victim was a 20-year-old man named Stephen Sinclair who was
addicted to drugs and alcohol. Nilsen targeted Sinclair in Oxford Street and bought the youth a hamburger. Nilsen
then suggested that they go back to his place. After Sinclair drank alcohol and used heroin at Nilsen's house,
Nilsen strangled Sinclair and dismembered Sinclair's body. Nilsen recalled that the youth's wrists were covered in
slash marks from where Sinclair had recently tried to kill himself. This murder was on 26 January, 1983, less than
two weeks before Nilsen was arrested. It was Sinclair's dismembered remains in the drain outside Nilsen's home
that first alerted the police to Nilsen's murders.
Dennis Nilsen 35
Trial and sentence

Nilsen was brought to trial at the Old Bailey on 24 October, 1983. He pleaded diminished responsibility as a defense,
in order to seek a verdict of guilty to manslaughter, but was convicted of six murders and two attempted murders. He
was sentenced to life imprisonment on 4 November 1983. In 1993, he was given permission to give a televised
interview from prison.
Nilsen's minimum term was set at 25 years by the trial judge, but the Home Secretary later imposed a whole life
tariff, which meant he would never be released. In 2006, he was denied any further requests for parole.
Imprisonment
Nilsen is currently held at HMP Full Sutton maximum security prison in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
During his time in prison he has proved a thorn in the side of prison authorities, bringing judicial review proceedings
over Whitemoor Prison's decision not to allow him access to gay pornography. This application was refused by the
single judge at the permission stage. He did not establish that there was any arguable case that a breach of his human
rights had occurred, nor that the prison’s rules were discriminatory. He also failed to receive any greater access to
such materials as a result.
In 2003, he brought a further Judicial Review over a decision not to allow him to publish his autobiography, titled
The History of a Drowning Boy.[16] Nilsen is awaiting an appeal on this decision at the European Court of Human
Rights.
References
• Odell, Robin; Gaute, J. H. H. (1989). The new murderers' who's who. London: Headline. ISBN 0747232709.
• Masters, Brian. Killing for Company. Random House (UK). ISBN 0099552612.
• Lisners, John (1983). House of Horrors Dennis Andrew Nilsen. London: Corgi. ASIN B0012JFAC6.
• McConell, Brian (1983). The Nilsen File. London: Futura. ISBN 0708824307.
External links
• Sunday Times Magazine Article "Memoirs of A Serial Killer" about and containing extracts from Nilsen's
autobiography "History of A Drowning Boy" [17]
References
[1] Shirley Lynn Scott. "What Makes Serial Killers Tick?" (http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ notorious/ tick/ victims_1.
html/ ). truTV. . Retrieved 2009-12-29.
[2] The Black Museum ISBN 0-316-90332-9 p184
[5] Carol Ann Davis. "Killer Cannibals" (http:/ / www. shotsmag. co. uk/ SHOTS 16/ Cannibal/ cannibal. htm/ ). Shots: The Crime & Mystery
Magazine. . Retrieved 2009-12-29.
[6] Katherine Ramsland. "Dennis Nilsen" (http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ nilsen/ 1b. html/ ). truTV. . Retrieved
2009-12-29.
[8] "Serial killer Dennis Nilsen confesses to first murder" (http:/ / www. dailymail. co. uk/ pages/ live/ articles/ news/ news.
html?in_article_id=415443& in_page_id=1770). Daily Mail. 2006-11-09. . Retrieved 2008-03-20.
[9] "Dennis Nilsen - CPS decision about first victim : Press Release : Crown Prosecution Service" (http:/ / www. cps. gov. uk/ news/
press_releases/ 172_06/ ). Crown Prosecution Service. 6 December 2006. . Retrieved 2009-04-10.
[11] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ nilsen/ garden_2. html
[12] Killing for Company ISBN 0-09-955261-2 p123
Dennis Nilsen 36
[14] Killing for Company ISBN 0-09-955261-2 p126

[16] R v The governor of HMP full Sutton Ex. P. Nilsen, United Kingdom , 2004 EWCA Civ 1540 (http:/ / www. bailii. org/ ew/ cases/ EWCA/
Civ/ 2004/ 1540. html) (Court of Appeal of England and Wales 2004-11-17).
[17] http:/ / russcoff. typepad. com/ russcoff/ 2004/ 06/ cofessions_of_a. html
Donald Neilson
Donald Neilson
Donald Neilson mugshot

Birth name: Removed to protect family
Also known as: The Black Panther
Born: 1 August 1936

Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Killings
Span of killings: January 1975–December 1975
Country: England
Date apprehended: December 1975
Donald Neilson (1 August 1936; also known as the "Black Panther") is a British multiple murderer, whose most
notable victim was Lesley Whittle, an heiress from Highley, Shropshire, England.
Early life
Neilson known previously under a different name (removed to protect family) married in April 1955 at the age of 18.
His daughter, Kathryn, was born in 1960. After his daughter's birth he changed his surname from the former to
Neilson, so that she would not suffer from the humiliation that he had endured at school and in the army because of
his surname. According to David Bell, Neilson bought a taxi from a man named Neilson and decided, then, to use
that name instead of the former.[1] An alternative theory, proposed by a lodger who stayed with the Neilson family in
1960, is that Neilson took the name from an ice-cream van from which he often bought ice-cream for his daughter.
Donald Neilson 37
Turn to crime
A jobbing builder in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Neilson turned to crime when his business failed. It is believed he
committed over 400 house burglaries without detection during his early days of crime. Proceeds were low, however,
which resulted in him turning to robbing small post offices.
Turn to murder
His crimes became more and more violent and already having shot dead three sub-postmasters in post office
robberies, the Whittle case made him Britain's most wanted man in the mid-1970s.[2]
Kidnap of Lesley Whittle

Lesley Whittle (1957–1975) was a 17-year-old girl and was Neilson's youngest and best-known victim.
On 14 January 1975, Whittle was kidnapped from the bedroom of her home in Shropshire, England. Neilson
demanded a £50,000 ransom from her family for her release. Her mother was asleep in the house at the time. The
kidnapper had read that Whittle had been left a considerable sum of money (£82,000—almost half a million pounds
compared to 2007 figures) by her late father George (who died in 1967 at the age of 62), who ran a successful coach
company, one of the largest in the country, based at Highley and Kidderminster.
A series of police bungles and other circumstances meant that Whittle's brother Ronald was unable to deliver the
ransom money to the place and time demanded by the kidnapper, who, it is widely believed, pushed Whittle off the
ledge in the drainage shaft where he had tethered her in Bathpool Park, at Kidsgrove, Staffordshire, strangling her.
Whittle's body was found on 7 March 1975, hanging from a wire at the bottom of the shaft.
Capture and arrest

In December 1975, two police officers, Tony White and Stuart Mackenzie, spotted a man acting suspiciously outside
a post office in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire. As a matter of routine, they stopped to question him. The
man said he was on his way home from work, then produced a sawn-off shotgun from a parcel he was holding. He
ordered White back into the car, then sat in the passenger seat with the gun jammed into Mackenzie's ribs.
He ordered them to drive to Blidworth, six miles away. As they were driving along Southwell Road the gunman
asked if they had any rope. As White pretended to look, he saw that the gun was no longer pointing at his
companion; he pushed the gun up and Mackenzie stamped on the brake. They were outside The Junction Chip Shop
in Rainworth and called for help. The gun went off grazing White's hand. Two men ran from the queue outside the
fish and chip shop and helped subdue Neilson. The locals attacked him so severely that in the end the police had to
protect him.
They handcuffed Neilson to iron railings at the side of a bus stop, and when they found two Panther hoods on him,
they realised that they had probably caught the most wanted man in Britain. This was confirmed when his
fingerprints were found to match one of those found in the drain shaft with the body of Lesley Whittle.
Sentencing
Neilson was sentenced to life imprisonment in July 1976 for the murder of Whittle, three sub-postmasters and the
attempted murders of a security guard and a police officer. The trial judge recommended that Neilson receive a
whole life tariff. He has since been confirmed on the Home Office's list of prisoners issued with whole life tariffs, as
a succession of Home Secretaries have ruled that life should mean life for Neilson. The European Court of Human
Rights legislation saw politicians lose that power in November 2002.
In 2008, Neilson applied to the High Court to have his minimum term reverted to 30 years. On 12 June 2008,
however, Neilson's appeal was rejected, and he was told by the court that he will have to spend the rest of his life in
Donald Neilson 38
prison.[3]
Now in his seventies, Neilson continues to serve his sentence at HMP Norwich[4] and remains one of Britain's
longest-serving prisoners.
Motor Neurone Disease

On 29 June 2008, it was revealed that Neilson has Motor Neurone Disease, a progressive and fatal disease.[5]
Further reading
• 1975: Heiress Lesley Whittle kidnapped [6] BBC On This Day archive
• Serial killer who chose Heywood to strike first [7], Heywood Advertiser, 8 September 2004
• Harry Hawkes, The Capture of the Black Panther, Harrap: 1978.
• Shari-Jayne Boda, Real crime: four crimes that shocked a nation, Granada:2003.
External links
• Crime & Investigation Network feature [8]
• BBC Profile [9]
References
[1] Bell, David (2005). "2". Staffordshire Tales of Murder & Mystery. Murder & Mystery. Countryside Books. pp. 16. ISBN 1 85306 922 1.
[2] Donald Neilson at Serial Killer Central (http:/ / www. skcentral. com/ readarticle. php?article_id=604)
[3] BBC News Online (12 June 2008). "Black Panther 'to die in prison'" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ 7450402. stm). . Retrieved
2008-06-12.
[4] EDP24 (14 September 2009). "Inside Norwich's lifers' unit: home to Britain's most notorious criminals" (http:/ / www. edp24. co. uk/ content/
edp24/ news/ story. aspx?brand=EDPOnline& category=News& tBrand=EDPOnline& tCategory=xDefault& itemid=NOED14 Sep 2009
11:59:14:753). . Retrieved 2009-09-14.
[5] Black Panther murderer Donald Neilson dying from Motor Neurone Disease - mirror.co.uk (http:/ / www. sundaymirror. co. uk/ news/
sunday/ 2008/ 06/ 29/ black-panther-murderer-donald-neilson-dying-from-motor-neurone-disease-98487-20624754/ )
[6] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ onthisday/ hi/ dates/ stories/ january/ 14/ newsid_2530000/ 2530669. stm
[7] http:/ / www. heywoodadvertiser. co. uk/ news/ s/ 89/ 89947_serial_killer_who_chose_heywood_to_strike_first. html
[8] http:/ / www. crimeandinvestigation. co. uk/ famous_criminal/ 15/ home/ 1/ Donald_Neilson_The_Black_Panther. htm
[9] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ 7450928. stm
Fred West 39
Fred West
Fred West
Fred and Rosemary in the mid 1980s

Birth name: Frederick Walter Stephen West
Born: 29 September 1941

Much Marcle, Herefordshire, England, UK
Died: 1 January 1995 (aged 53)

Winson Green Prison, Birmingham, England, UK
Cause of death: Suicide by hanging
Conviction: Child molestation

Indecent assault
Theft
Sentence: Committed suicide before trial
Killings
Number of victims: 11-13
Span of killings: July 1967–May 1987
Date apprehended: 24 February 1994
Frederick Walter Stephen West (29 September 1941 – 1 January 1995), better known as Fred West, was an
English serial killer.
Between 1967 and 1987, he and his wife Rosemary tortured, raped and murdered at least 12 young women and girls,
many at the couple's homes. The majority of the murders occurred between May 1973 and September 1979 at their
home in Gloucester.
Rosemary West also murdered Fred's stepdaughter (his first wife's biological daughter) Charmaine, while he was
serving a prison sentence for theft.
Fred West 40
Early life
Fred West was born into a poor family of farm workers in Bickerton Cottage, Much Marcle, Herefordshire, to Walter
Stephen West (1914–1992) and Daisy Hannah Hill. He was the second of their eight children. West would later
claim that his father had incestuous relationships with his daughters.[1]
It has been suggested that incest was an accepted part of the household, and that his father taught him bestiality from
an early age. West recalled, in police interviews, that his father had said on many occasions "Do what you want, just
don’t get caught doing it".[2] It is also alleged that his mother Daisy began sexually abusing him from the age of
12.[3]
At school, West showed an aptitude for woodwork and artwork, but did not excel academically. He left school at the
age of 15 in December 1956 and began work as a farm labourer. Two years later, in November 1958, he suffered a
fractured skull and a broken arm and leg in a motorcycle accident. The accident put him into an eight-day coma. His
family reported that after the accident he became prone to sudden fits of rage. Two years later, he was unconscious
for 24 hours after hitting his head in a fall from a fire escape.[4]
At age 20, he was arrested for molesting a 13-year-old girl. He was convicted, but escaped a sentence of
imprisonment.[1] His family effectively disowned him thereafter.
Marriage to Rena Costello

In September 1962, the 21-year-old West became re-acquainted with a former girlfriend, Catherine Costello, who
was now better known as Rena from her time working as a prostitute. Costello was already pregnant by another man,
and she and West married on 17 November before moving to Glasgow. Her daughter, Charmaine Carol, was born on
22 February 1963. Costello and West claim they had adopted Charmaine, whose father was a Pakistani man. In July
1964 Costello bore West a daughter named Anne Marie. During this period in Glasgow, West worked as an ice
cream van driver. On 4 November 1965, he accidentally ran over and killed a four-year-old boy with his van.[5]
The family, along with Isa McNeill who looked after the couple's children and Costello's friend Anne McFall, moved
into the Lakeside caravan park in Bishop's Cleeve, Gloucestershire at the end of 1965, when West feared for his
safety following the vehicular homicide incident. To escape from West's sadistic sexual demands, Costello and
McNeill moved to Scotland in 1966 while McFall, who had become infatuated with West, and the two children
remained with him. Costello continued to visit the children every few months. In August 1967 McFall, who was
eight months pregnant with West's child, vanished. McFall was never reported missing and her remains were found
in June 1994.
In September 1967, Costello returned to live with West, but left again the following year, putting the children in
West's care.
Marriage to Rosemary "Rose" Letts

While still married to Costello, 27-year-old West met his next wife, Rosemary Letts, on 29 November 1968, on her
15th birthday. On her 16th birthday she moved in with him and a few months later they moved from the caravan to a
two-story house in Midland Road, Gloucester. On 17 October 1970, Rosemary gave birth to their daughter, Heather
Anne. Fred West was imprisoned for theft on 4 December 1970, and remained so until his release on 24 June 1971.
It is believed that Rosemary killed Charmaine (Fred's stepdaughter from his first marriage) shortly before West's
release in June 1971. According to Anne Marie, both sisters were subject to frequent beatings, but Charmaine
infuriated Rosemary by her refusal to cry no matter how severe they got. Charmaine disappeared in mid June, with
Rosemary explaining Costello had called and taken her back to Scotland. Costello turned up in late August to collect
Charmaine, and also disappeared.
Fred West 41
On 29 January 1972, Fred and Rosemary West married in Gloucester, and on 1 June of that year, Rosemary gave
birth to their second daughter, Mae. Around this time West encouraged his wife into prostitution. Rosemary
eventually had seven children, of which three were mixed race. Needing a bigger house, the family moved to 25
Cromwell St, where West converted the upper floor to bedsits. "Rose's Room", the room Rosemary used for
prostitution had peepholes so he could watch and a red light outside the door for warning the children not to enter
when she was "busy". Like West, Rosemary came from a family where incest was common; Rosemary's father, Bill
Letts, with Fred's approval, would often visit their home to have sex with Rosemary.[6]
In October 1972 the Wests hired 17-year-old Caroline Roberts as the children's nanny. She rejected Fred and
Rosemary's advances into their "sex-circle" and left a few weeks later.[7] On 6 December 1972 the Wests invited her
to their home, where they both raped her. Fred allowed Roberts to leave the next day only after she promised she
would return as their nanny. Roberts reported the rape to police but withdrew the accusation when the case came to
court. The Wests pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of indecent assault and were fined £50.[8]
In early 1973, the Wests took eight-year-old Anne Marie to the cellar, where they bound and gagged her before West
raped her while Rosemary watched.[9]
In 1979 Anne Marie became pregnant by West, but the pregnancy was terminated as it was ectopic. Unable to cope
with her father any longer, she left home; West now began abusing Heather, who disappeared a few years later.
Investigation, arrest and conviction

In May 1992, West filmed himself raping one of his other daughters, and twice again afterwards. She told friends at
school what had happened. On 4 August one of the friends told her mother and she went to the police. On 6 August
1992, the police decided to investigate, eventually leading to West being charged, with Rosemary as an accomplice,
with rape. She was also charged with child cruelty and the remaining children were placed in foster care. The rape
case against the Wests collapsed when the two main witnesses declined to testify at the court case on 7 June 1993.
However, the police continued investigating the disappearance of their daughter Heather. After taking statements
from social workers about the joke about "Heather being buried under the patio" and the children themselves, they
obtained a further search warrant in February 1994, allowing them to excavate the garden in search of Heather. They
started searching the house and excavating the garden on 24 February 1994.
After West's arrest the following day, the police uncovered human bones.[10] He confessed, retracted and then
re-confessed to the murder of his daughter, denying that Rosemary was involved. Rosemary was not arrested until
April 1994, initially on sex offences but later charged with murder. Further bodies were found and, on 4 March 1994,
West admitted that he had carried out nine more murders, including those of his first wife and Ann McFall.
Fred and Rosemary West were brought before a magistrates' court in Gloucester on 30 June 1994; he was charged
with 11 murders and she with 10. Immediately afterwards, Fred West was re-arrested on suspicion of murdering Ann
McFall, whose body was found on 7 June 1994. On the evening of 3 July 1994, he was charged with her murder.
On 1 January 1995, Fred West hanged himself while on remand in his cell at Winson Green Prison, Birmingham.[11]
His funeral was held in Coventry on 29 March 1995. West was cremated with only three people present.
The evidence against Rosemary was circumstantial; unlike her husband, she did not confess. She was tried in
October 1995 at Winchester Crown Court, found guilty of all 10 murders and sentenced to life imprisonment.[12] The
trial judge recommended that she should never be released and 18 months later the then serving Home Secretary
Jack Straw agreed with this recommendation.
In October 1996, the Wests' house, along with the adjoining property, was demolished and the site made into a
pathway. Every brick was crushed and every timber was burned to discourage souvenir hunters.
In a 1998 interview with Charlie Rose, English novelist Martin Amis revealed that he was a cousin of the Wests'
victim Lucy Partington, who disappeared in 1973.[13]
Fred West 42
The victims
• Charmaine West (born 22 February 1963): Killed in June 1971 by Rosemary West while Fred was in prison.
No motive has been put forward.
• Catherine Bernadette "Rena" West (born 14 April 1944): Killed August 1971. Rena had called to take
Charmaine away with her and it is believed Fred killed her to avoid an investigation into Charmaine’s
whereabouts.
• Lynda Gough (born 1 May 1953): Killed April 1973. A lodger at 25 Cromwell St, Gough and Rosemary would
share lovers. Following her disappearance Gough’s mother called to visit and Rosemary, wearing Gough’s
clothes, told her she had moved in order to work in Weston-super-Mare.
• Carol Ann Cooper (born 10 April 1958): Killed November 1973. Cooper was living in a children’s home in
Worcester when she disappeared while walking home from the cinema.
• Lucy Katherine Partington (born 4 March 1952): Killed December 1973. Spent Christmas with her family in
Cheltenham and visited a friend, and disappeared after leaving to catch a bus home. There is strong evidence that
she had been kept alive for at least several days. A week after she disappeared, Fred went to a hospital in the early
hours of 3 January 1974 to get a serious laceration stitched. A knife matching the cut was found with Partington's
body and police surmise he sustained the injury while dismembering the body.
• Theresa Siegenthaler (born 27 November 1952): Killed in April 1974. A student in South London who left to
hitch-hike to Ireland and disappeared.
• Shirley Hubbard (born 26 June 1959): Killed November 1974. Left a work experience course in Droitwich to
return home but did not arrive. When her remains were found her head was completely covered in tape with only
a three-inch rubber tube inserted to allow her to breathe.
• Juanita Marion Mott (born 1 March 1957): Killed April 1975. A former lodger at 25 Cromwell St, Mott was
living with a friend of her mother's in Newent when she disappeared.
• Shirley Anne Robinson (born 8 October 1959): Killed May 1978. A lodger at 25 Cromwell St, Robinson was a
prostitute for the Wests. Disappeared after becoming pregnant with Fred’s child.
• Alison Chambers (born 8 September 1962): Killed August 1979. Last known sexually-motivated killing.
• Heather Ann West (born 17 October 1970) Killed June 1987. Heather became the focus of Fred’s attentions
after Anne Marie left home. Fred West claimed he had not meant to kill her but she had been sneering at him and
he "had to take the smirk off her face". Rosemary told an inquiring neighbour the following day that she and
Heather had had a "hell of a row" so it is believed Rosemary may have initiated her death. The Wests told their
children Heather had left for a job in Devon, but later changed the story to her having run off with a lesbian lover
when she failed to contact or visit them. Later still Fred would threaten the children that they would "end up under
the patio like Heather" if they misbehaved. Heather's body was found under the patio that Fred had inexplicably
built over the fishpond his son Stephen had dug.
Their only known victim after 1979 was their daughter Heather, although the police believe the couple murdered
more. There were no known murders in the years 1976–1977, 1980–1986 and 1988-1992. During questioning after
being arrested, Fred West had confessed to murdering up to 30 people, but the police believed the pair may have
killed only 13. As well as the 12 confirmed they believe West also killed 15-year-old Mary Bastholme in 1968, but
to date no body has been found.[3] West's son, Stephen, has said he firmly believed the missing Gloucester teenager
was an early victim of his father.[14]
Although no forensic evidence linked Fred West to the murder of Anne McFall, the state of the body (missing finger
and toe bones as was the case with the other bodies) and the dimensions of the grave site match aspects of West's
modus operandi.[15]
Fred West 43
Cultural impact
Harold and Fred (They Make Ladies Dead) was a 2001 comic strip in Viz, also featuring serial killer Harold
Shipman, which attracted criticism from the victims' families. The editor of Viz commented: "Yes, it is going a bit far
and I don't need to defend it, but I'll make a half-hearted attempt. I'm sure Mel Brooks didn't think the Nazis were
funny, but a lot of his comedy was based around them. The cover of Viz gives you a pretty good idea of what the
content is going to be like and people that are offended by it, don't buy it."[16] [17]
Further reading
• Bennett, John (2005). The Cromwell Street Murders: The Detective's Story. Sutton Publishing.
ISBN 0750942738.
• Burn, Gordon (1998). Happy Like Murderers. London: Faber and Faber. ISBN 0571195466.
• Masters, Brian (1996). She Must Have Known: Trial of Rosemary West. London: Doubleday. ISBN 0385406509.
• Roberts, Caroline (2005). The Lost Girl: How I Triumphed Over Life at the Mercy of Fred and Rose West.
London: Metro Books. ISBN 1843580888.
• Sounes, Howard (1995). Fred and Rose: The Full Story of Fred and Rose West and the Gloucester House of
Horrors. London: Warner Books. ISBN 0751513229.
• Wansell, Geoffrey (1996). An Evil Love: The Life of Frederick West. London: Hodder Headline.
ISBN 0747217602.
• West, Anne Marie (1995). Out of the Shadows: Fred West's Daughter Tells Her Harrowing Story of Survival.
Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0671719688.
• Wilson, Colin (1998). The Corpse Garden. London: True Crime Library. ISBN 1874358249.
External links
• THE WEST MURDERS: DMP [18] (Transcripts of interviews of Fred West & other related people)
• MEDIA INFORMATION PACK [19] (detailed report by police)
• A Horror Story by Theodore Dalrymple [20]
References
[1] "Fred and Rose West — Fred" (http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ weird/ west/ fred_2. html) Crimelibrary.com Retrieved
3 July 2009
[2] Steven Morris (2007-09-20). "Serial Murder and the Psychology of a Sexual Sadist: Frederick West" (http:/ / www. newcriminologist. com/
article. asp?cid=102& nid=18). New Criminologist. . Retrieved 2009-01-18.
[3] Real Life Crimes and How They Were Solved. Eaglemoss Publications. 2002.
[4] "The Biography Channel" (http:/ / www. thebiographychannel. co. uk/ biography_story/ 1632:1923/ 1/ Fred_West. htm) The Biography
Channel.com Retried 18 July 2007
[5] "Fred and Rose West - First blood" (http:/ / www. crimelibrary. com/ serial_killers/ weird/ west/ blood_3. html) Crimelibrary.com Retrieved
13 July 2007
[6] Euan Ferguson on the Legacy of Fred West (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ crime/ article/ 0,2763,1148300,00. html) The Guardian 15
February 2004
[7] The Lost Girl by Caroline Roberts, the nanny to the children
[8] "Surviving Fred and Rose" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ magazine/ 3509899. stm). BBC News. 24 February 2004. . Retrieved 2008-06-01.
[9] An Evil Love - Geoffrey Wansell
[10] "Fred and Rose West - House of Horrors" (http:/ / www. crimelibrary. com/ serial_killers/ weird/ west/ horrors_6. html) Crimelibrary.com
Retrieved 13 July 2007
[11] "1995: Serial killer West found hanged" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ onthisday/ hi/ dates/ stories/ january/ 1/ newsid_2460000/ 2460563. stm).
British Broadcasting Corporation. 1 January 1995. . Retrieved 16 April 2009.
[12] "Fred and Rose West - Endgame" (http:/ / www. crimelibrary. com/ serial_killers/ weird/ west/ endgame_7. html) Crimelibrary.com
Retrieved 13 July 2007
[13] There's nobody home... (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ uk/ 2004/ feb/ 15/ ukcrime. prisonsandprobation), Guardian, 15 February 2004
[14] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 69928. stm Fred West 'admitted killing waitress', BBC News 25 March 1998
Fred West 44
[15] "Happy Like Murderers", Gordon Burn, pp146-147

[16] Garrett, Jade (1 February 2001). "'Viz' pushes taste to its limits with Shipman cartoon - Media, News - The Independent" (http:/ / www.
independent. co. uk/ news/ media/ viz-pushes-taste-to-its-limits-with-shipman-cartoon-705190. html). The Independent. . Retrieved
2009-03-06.
[17] "BBC News - Anger at Shipman Cartoon" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ entertainment/ 1148180. stm). news.bbc.co.uk. 1 February 2001.
. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
[18] http:/ / www. dmptv. co. uk/ pro/ west/ index. htm
[19] http:/ / www. gloucestershire. police. uk/ sei/ s/ 931/ f84. pdf
[20] http:/ / www. city-journal. org/ html/ 6_2_oh_to_be. html
George Chapman (murderer)

This article is about the Victorian poisoner; for the English literary figure, see George Chapman.
George Chapman
Illustration of George Chapman from an old newspaper article

Birth name: Seweryn Antonowicz Kłosowski
Also known as: Ludwig Schloski
Born: December 14, 1865

Nagórna, Poland
Died: April 7, 1903 (aged 37)
Cause of death: Hanging
Killings
Country: England
George Chapman (December 14, 1865 – April 7, 1903) was a Polish serial killer. Born Seweryn Antonowicz
Kłosowski in Poland, he moved as an adult to England, where he committed his crimes. He was convicted and
executed after poisoning three women, but is remembered today mostly because some authorities suspected him of
being the notorious serial killer, Jack the Ripper.
Early life
Chapman was born in the village of Nagórna, near Koło, Poland. According to a certificate found in his personal
effects after his arrest, he was apprenticed at age 15 to a provincial surgeon in Zwoleń, whom he assisted in
procedures such as the application of leeches for blood-letting. He then enrolled on a course in practical surgery at
the Warsaw Praga hospital. This course was very brief, lasting from October 1885 to January 1886 (attested to by
another certificate in his possession), but he continued to serve as a surgeon's assistant in Warsaw until December
1886. He later left Poland, although the year in which he came to England has not been ascertained. Witness
testimony at his trial seems to indicate that he arrived in London between 1887 and 1888.
Crimes and execution

Chapman took several mistresses, who often posed as his wife, three of whom he subsequently poisoned to death.
They were Mary Spink (died December 25, 1897), Elizabeth "Bessie" Taylor (died February 14, 1901) and Maud
Marsh (died October 22, 1902). He administered the compound tartar-emetic to each of them, having purchased it
from a chemist in Hastings. Rich in the metallic element antimony, improper usage of tartar-emetic causes a painful
death with symptoms similar to arsenic poisoning.
His motives for these murders are unclear. In one case, he stood to inherit £500, but there was no inheritance from
the other two victims.
Suspicions surrounding Marsh's death led to a police investigation. It was found that she had been poisoned, as had
the other two women, whose bodies were exhumed.
Chapman was charged only with the murder of Maud Marsh. He was prosecuted by Sir Archibald Bodkin and the
Attorney-General, Sir Edward Carson , convicted on March 20, 1903, and hanged at Wandsworth Prison on April 7,
1903.
Jack the Ripper suspect

One of the detectives at Scotland Yard, Frederick Abberline, is reported to have told George Godley [1] , the
policeman who arrested Chapman: "You've got Jack the Ripper at last!"[2] In two 1903 interviews with the Pall Mall
Gazette, Abberline spelled out his suspicions, referring to Chapman by name.[3] Speculation in contemporary
newspaper accounts and books has led to Chapman, like fellow serial killer Thomas Neill Cream, becoming one of
many individuals cited as a possible suspect in the infamous Jack the Ripper murders of 1888. In The Complete
History of Jack the Ripper, Philip Sugden argued that Chapman is the most likely candidate among known suspects,
but that the case is far from proven.[4] As far as is known, Chapman was not a suspect at the time of the murders
either under his proper name, or as "Ludwig Schloski", a name he was using in London. Chapman was a later
surname borrowed from one of his common-law wives whom he did not poison — Annie Chapman (not to be
confused with the Jack the Ripper victim of the same name).
The case against Chapman rests mainly on the point that he undoubtedly was a violent man with a misogynistic
streak. Chapman is known as a poisoner and not a mutilator, but was known to beat his common-law wives and was
prone to other violent behaviour. In one incident often used as an argument to link him to the Ripper crimes,
Chapman once allegedly forced his wife, Lucy Klosowski, down on their bed and began to strangle her, only
stopping to attend to a customer who walked into the adjoining shop he owned. When he left, she was said to have
found a knife under the pillow, and he reportedly later told her that he had planned to kill her, even pointing out the
spot where he would have buried her and reciting what he would have said to their neighbours.[5]
It is even suggested that he may have carried out a Ripper-style killing in New York City, the murder of Carrie
Brown,[4] but recent research suggests he did not reach the United States until after this incident.[6]
There is a lack of any hard evidence that would link Chapman to the Ripper murders. Most scholars also believe the
Ripper selected victims who were previously unknown to him, while Chapman killed acquaintances.
Chapman's story was dramatized in a 1951 episode of The Black Museum entitled "The Straight Razor". The episode
concludes with a brief argument for Chapman's identity as Jack the Ripper.
See also
• Jack the Ripper suspects
• List of serial killers by country
References
• Sugden, Philip (2002). The Complete History of Jack the Ripper. New York, New York: Carroll & Graf
Publishers. ISBN 0-7867-0932-4.
References
[1] http:/ / www. casebook. org/ police_officials/ po-god. html
[2] Sugden, p439.
[3] Sugden, pp440—441.
[4] Sugden, p465.
[5] Jack the Ripper, the most famous serial killer of all time - The Crime library (http:/ / www. crimelibrary. com/ serial_killers/ notorious/
ripper/ chapman_17. html)
[6] Vanderlinden, Wolf, "The New York Affair - Part 3" Ripper Notes #19 (July 2004) ISBN 0975912909
George Joseph Smith

George Joseph Smith
George Joseph Smith

Birth name: George Joseph Smith
Also known as: Brides in the Bath Murderer
Born: January 11, 1872

Bethnal Green, London, England, United Kingdom
Died: August 13, 1915 (aged 43)
Cause of death: Execution by Hanging
Killings
Country: England, United Kingdom
Date apprehended: March 23, 1915
George Joseph Smith (January 11, 1872 – August 13, 1915) was an English serial killer and bigamist. In 1915 he
was convicted and subsequent hanged for the deaths of three women, the case becoming known as the "Brides in the
Bath Murders". As well as being widely reported in the media, the case was a significant case in the history of
forensic pathology and detection. It was also one of the first cases in which similarities between connected crimes
were used to prove deliberation, a technique used in subsequent prosecutions.
Early life and marriages

The son of an insurance agent, George Joseph Smith was born in Bethnal Green, London. He was sent to a
reformatory at Gravesend, Kent at the age of nine and later had served time for swindling and theft. In 1896, he was
imprisoned for 12 months for persuading a woman to steal from her employers. He used the proceeds to open a
baker's shop in Leicester.
In 1898, he married Caroline Beatrice Thornhill (under another alias, Oliver George Love) in Leicester; it was his
only legal marriage (although he also married another woman bigamously the following year). They moved to
London, where she worked as a maid for a number of employers, stealing from them for her husband. She was
eventually caught in Worthing, Sussex and sentenced to 12 months. On her release she incriminated her husband and
he was imprisoned for two years in January 1901. On his release, she fled to Canada. Smith then went back to his
other wife, cleared out her savings, and left.
In June 1908, Smith married Florence Wilson, a widow from Worthing. On July 3, he left her, but not before taking
£30 drawn from her savings account and selling her belongings from their Camden residence in London. On July 30
in Bristol, he married Edith Peglar, who had replied to an advertisement for a housekeeper. He would disappear for
months at a time, saying that he was going to another city to ply his trade, which he claimed was selling antiques. In
between his other marriages, Smith would always come back to Peglar with money.
In October 1909, he married Sarah Freeman, under the name George Rose Smith. As with Wilson, he left her after
clearing out her savings and selling her war bonds with a total take of £400. He then married Bessie Munday and
Alice Burnham. In September 1914, he married Alice Reid, under the alias Charles Oliver James. In total, Smith
entered into seven bigamous marriages between 1908 and 1914 and, in most of these cases, Smith was content to go
through his wives' possessions before he disappeared.
Two similar deaths

In January 1915, Division Detective Inspector Arthur Neil received a letter from a Joseph Crossley, who owned a
boarding house in Blackpool, Lancashire. Included with the letter were two newspaper clippings: one was from the
News of the World dated before Christmas, 1914, about the death of Margaret Elizabeth Lloyd (née Lofty), aged
38, who died in her lodgings in 14 Bismarck Road, Highgate, London. She was found in her bathtub by her husband,
John Lloyd, and their landlady.
The other clipping contained the report of a coroner's inquest dated December 13, 1913, in Blackpool. It was about a
woman named Alice Smith (née Burnham), who died suddenly in a boarding house in that seaside resort while in
her bathtub. She was found by her husband George Smith.
The letter, dated January 3, was written by Crossley, the landlord of Mr and Mrs Smith, on behalf of Crossley's wife
and a Mr. Charles Burnham, who both expressed their suspicion on the striking similarity of the two incidents and
urged the police to investigate the matter.
The hunt
Neil went to 14 Bismarck Road, where Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd had taken lodgings on December 17. He found it hard to
believe that an adult like Mrs. Lloyd could have drowned in such a small tub, especially since the tub was
three-quarters full when she was found. He then interviewed the coroner, a Dr. Bates, who had signed the death
certificate, and asked if there were signs of violence on the woman. There were none except for a tiny bruise above
the left elbow.
Upon further investigation, Neil learned that a will had been made on the 18th, three hours before Margaret Lloyd
died, and the sole beneficiary was her husband who had submitted the will to a lawyer "for settlement". In addition,
she had withdrawn all her savings on that same day.
On January 12, Dr. Bates called Neil. He had had an inquiry from the Yorkshire Insurance Company regarding the
death of Margaret Lloyd. She had, three days before she was married, taken out a life insurance policy for £700, with
her husband John Lloyd as sole beneficiary. Neil promptly asked the doctor to delay his reply. At the same time he
requested more information on the Smith case from the Blackpool Police. Similarly, the late Mrs. Smith had earlier
taken out a life insurance policy and made a will in her husband's favour, and she took the lodgings in Blackpool
only after Mr. Smith inspected the bathtub.
Neil asked the coroner to issue a favourable report to the insurance company. He was counting on the suspect to get
in touch with his lawyer, and the office was watched day and night. On February 1, a man fitting Lloyd/Smith's
description appeared. Neil introduced himself and asked him whether he was John Lloyd. After Lloyd answered in
the affirmative, Neil then asked him whether he was also George Smith. The man denied it vehemently. Neil, already
sure that John Lloyd and George Smith were the same man, told him that he would take him for questioning on
suspicion of bigamy. The man finally admitted that he was indeed George Smith, and was arrested.
Spilsbury enters the case

When Smith was arrested for the charge of bigamy and suspicion of murder, the pathologist Bernard Spilsbury was
asked to determine how the women died. Although he was the Home Office pathologist and acted mainly in a
consulting capacity, he was also available for direct assistance to the police force.
Margaret Lloyd's body was exhumed, and Spilsbury's first task was to confirm drowning as the cause of death; and if
so whether by accident or by force. He confirmed the tiny bruise on the elbow as noted before, as well as two
microscopic marks. Even the evidence of drowning was not extensive. There were no signs of heart or circulatory
disease, but the evidence suggested that death was almost instantaneous, as if the victim died of a sudden stroke.
Poison was also seen as a possibility, and Spilsbury ordered tests on its presence. Finally, he proposed to Neil that
they run some experiments in the very same bathtub in which Margaret died. Neil had it set up in the police station.
Newspaper reports about the "Brides in the Baths" began to appear. On February 8, the chief police officer of Herne
Bay, a small seaside resort in Kent, had read the stories, and sent Neil a report of another death which was strikingly
similar to the other two.
A third victim
A year before Burnham's death in Blackpool, one Henry Williams had rented a house in 80 High Street, with no
bath, for himself and his wife Beatrice "Bessie" Munday, whom he married in Weymouth, Dorset in 1910. He then
rented a bathtub seven weeks later. He then took his wife to a local doctor, Frank French, due to a epileptic fit,
although she was only complaining of headaches, for which the doctor prescribed some medication. On July 12,
1912, Williams woke French, saying that his wife was having another fit. He checked on her and promised to come
back the following afternoon. However, he was surprised when, on the following morning, he was informed by
Williams that his wife had died of drowning. The doctor found Bessie Williams in the tub, her head underwater, her
legs stretched out straight and her feet protruding out of the water. There was no trace of violence, so French
attributed the drowning to epilepsy. The inquest jury awarded Williams the amount of £2,579 13s 7d (£2,579. 68p),
as stipulated in Mrs Williams' will, made up five days before her death.
Neil then sent photographs of Smith to Herne Bay for possible identification and then went to Blackpool, where
Spilsbury was conducting an autopsy of Alice Smith. The results were the same as with Margaret Lloyd: the lack of
violence, every suggestion of instantaneous death, and little evidence of drowning. Furthermore, there were no traces
of poison on Margaret Lloyd. Baffled, Spilsbury routinely took measurements of the corpse and had the tub sent to
London.
Back in London, Neil had received confirmation from Herne Bay. "Henry Williams" was also "John Lloyd" and
"George Smith". This time, when Spilsbury examined Bessie Williams, he found one sure sign of drowning: the
presence of goose pimples on the skin. As with the other two deaths, the tub in which Mrs Williams had died was
sent to London.
Solution
For weeks Spilsbury pondered over the bathtubs and the victims' measurements. The first stage of an epileptic fit
consists of a stiffening and extension of the entire body. Considering her height (five feet, seven inches) and the
length of the tub (five feet), the upper part of her body would have been pushed up the sloping head of the tub, far
above the level of the water. The second stage consists of violent spasms of the limbs, which were drawn up to the
body and then flung outward. Therefore, no one of her size could possibly get underwater, even when her muscles
were relaxed, in the third stage: the tub was simply too small.
Using French's description of Bessie Williams when he found her in the bathtub, Spilsbury reasoned that Smith must
have seized her by the feet and suddenly pulled them up toward himself, sliding the upper part of the body
underwater. The sudden flood of water into her nose and throat might cause shock and sudden loss of consciousness,
explaining the absence of injuries and minimal signs of drowning.

Neil hired several experienced female divers of the same size and build as the victims. He tried to push them
underwater by force but there would be inevitable signs of struggle. Neil then unexpectedly pulled the feet of one of
the divers, and her head glided underwater before she knew what happened. Suddenly Neil saw that the woman was
no longer moving. He quickly pulled her out of the tub and it took him and a doctor over half an hour to revive her.
When she came to, she related that the only thing she remembered was the rush of water before she lost
consciousness. Thus was Spilsbury's theory confirmed.
George Joseph Smith was charged for the murders of Bessie Williams, Alice Smith and Margaret Lloyd on March
23, 1915.
Trial and legal legacy

On June 22, he went on trial at the Old Bailey. The prosecuting Counsel were Archibald Bodkin, later Director of
Public Prosecutions and Cecil Whiteley later KC.[1] [2] Although he could only be tried for the murder of Bessie
Williams in accordance with English law, the prosecution used the deaths of the other two to establish the pattern of
Smith's crimes; this was allowed by Mr Justice Scrutton despite the protests of Smith's lawyer, Sir Edward
Marshall-Hall.
It took the jury about 20 minutes on July 1 to find him guilty; he was then sentenced to death. Smith's appeal was
dismissed, and he was hanged in Maidstone Prison by John Ellis.
The use of 'system'—comparing other crimes to the one a criminal is being tried for to prove guilt—set a precedent
that was later used in other murder trials. For example, the doctor and suspected serial killer John Bodkin Adams
was charged for the murder of Edith Alice Morrell, but the deaths of Gertrude Hullett and her husband Jack were
used in the committal hearing to prove the existence of a pattern. This use of 'system' was later criticised by the trial
judge when Adams was only tried on the Morrell charge.[3]
Popular culture
The Smith case was dramatised on the radio series The Black Museum in 1952 under the title of "The Bath Tub".
There was also The Brides in the Bath (2003), a British TV movie made by Yorkshire Television, starring Martin
Kemp as George Smith and the play Tryst by Karoline Leach, first produced in New York in 2006, starring Maxwell
Caulfield and Amelia Campbell.[4]
References
[1] Wilson, Colin; Patricia Pitman (1984). Encyclopedia of Murder. London: Pan Books. pp. 577–580. ISBN 0330283006.
[2] Watson, ER (Ed) (1922). The Trial of George Joseph Smith. London: William Hodge.
[3] Devlin, Patrick. Easing the passing: The trial of Doctor John Bodkin Adams, London, The Bodley Head, 1985.
[4] "TRYST" (http:/ / wild-reality. net/ tryst/ ). wild-reality.net. . Retrieved 2010-04-05.
• J.H.H. Gaute and Robin Odell, The New Murderer's Who's Who, 1996, Harrap Books, London
• Notable British Trials
• Herbert Arthur, All the Sinners, 1931, London
• Nigel Balchin, The Anatomy of Villainy, 1950, London
• Dudley Barker, Lord Darling's Famous Cases, 1936, London
• Sir Travers Humphreys: His Career and Cases, 1936, London
• William Bolitho, Murder for Profit, 1926, London
• Ernest Bowen-Rowlands, In the Light of the Law, 1931, London
• Douglas G. Brown and E.V. Tullett, Sir Bernard Spilsbury: His Life and Cases, 1951, London
• Albert Crew, The Old Bailey, 1933, London
• Harold Dearden, Death under the Microscope, 1934, London
See also
• Forensic pathology
Graham Young
Graham Frederick Young (7 September 1947 – 22 August 1990) was an English murderer. He is notable for his
obsession with the use of poison, and for having been imprisoned for murder in his teens, only to kill again after his
release.
Early life and crimes

Young was born in Neasden, north London. He was fascinated from a young age by poisons and their effects. In
1961 at 14 he started to test poisons on his family, enough to make them violently ill. He amassed large quantities of
antimony and digitalis by repeatedly buying small amounts, lying about his age and claiming they were for science
experiments at school.
In 1962 Young's stepmother Molly died from poison. He had been poisoning his father, sister, and a school friend.
Young's aunt Winnie, who knew of his fascination with chemistry and poisons, became suspicious. He might have
escaped suspicion as he suffered the same nausea and sicknesses as his family, however he sometimes forgot which
foods he had laced. He was sent to a psychiatrist, who recommended contacting the police. Young was arrested on
23 May 1962. He confessed to the attempted murders of his father, sister, and friend. The remains of his stepmother
could not be analysed because she had been cremated.
Young was sentenced to 15 years in Broadmoor Hospital, an institution for mentally unstable criminals. He was
released after nine years, deemed "fully recovered". In the hospital, Young studied medical texts, improving his
knowledge of poisons, and continued experiments using inmates and staff.
Later crimes
After release from hospital in 1971, he began work as a storekeeper at John Hadland Laboratories, which
manufactured thallium bromide-iodide infrared lenses used in military equipment, in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire, near
his sister's home in Hemel Hempstead. His employers received references from Broadmoor, but were not informed
of his past as a convicted poisoner, as part of Young's rehabilitation. Soon after he began work, his foreman, Bob
Egle, grew ill and died. Young had been making tea laced with poisons for his colleagues. A sickness swept through
his workplace and, mistaken for a virus, was nicknamed the Bovingdon Bug. These cases of nausea and illness,
sometimes severe enough to require hospitalisation, were later attributed to Young and his tea.
Young poisoned about 70 people during the next few months, none fatally. Egle's successor sickened soon after
starting work there, but decided to quit. A few months after Egle's death, another of Young's workmates, Fred Biggs,
grew ill and was admitted to London National Hospital for Nervous Diseases (now part of the National Hospital for
Neurology and Neurosurgery). It was too late and after suffering agony for several weeks, he became Young's third
and final victim.
At this point, it was evident that an investigation was necessary. Young asked the company doctor if the
investigators had considered thallium poisoning. He also told a colleague that his hobby was the study of toxic
chemicals. Young's colleague went to the police, who uncovered Young's criminal record.
Young was arrested in Sheerness, Kent, on 21 November 1971. Police found thallium in his pocket and antimony,
thallium and aconitine in his flat. They also discovered a detailed diary that Young had kept, noting the doses he had
Graham Young 53
administered, their effects, and whether he was going to allow each person to live or die.
At his trial at St Albans Crown Court, started 19 June 1972 and lasted for 10 days, Young pleaded not guilty, and
explained the diary as a fantasy for a novel. Young was sentenced to life in prison. He was dubbed The Teacup
Poisoner.
While in prison, he befriended fellow serial killer and Moors murderer Ian Brady, with whom he shared fascination
with Nazi Germany. In his 2001 book, The Gates of Janus published by Feral House, Brady wrote that "it was hard
not to have empathy for Graham Young". In his autobiography Pretty Boy, the unlicensed fighter Roy Shaw tells of
his friendship with Young.
Young died in his cell at Parkhurst prison in 1990 at the age of 42. The cause of death was listed as myocardial
infarction, but there is conjecture that fellow prisoners were the culprits.
In popular culture
A film called The Young Poisoner's Handbook (1995) is loosely based on Young's life.
Murder Metal band Macabre, wrote a song titled "Poison" about him and his crimes, which appears on the Murder
Metal album.
Japanese doom metal band Church of Misery had a song about him called "Taste The Pain (Graham Young)" which
was released on the "Taste the Pain EP" in 1998.
Young was thrilled when a waxwork of himself was added to the Madame Tussaud’s ‘Chamber of Horrors’,
alongside his boyhood hero, "Dr. Crippen."
In November 2005 a 16-year-old Japanese schoolgirl was arrested for poisoning her mother with thallium. She
claimed to be fascinated by Young, having seen the 1995 film, and kept an online blog, similar to Young’s diary,
recording dosage and reactions.[1] [2]
External links
• Bowden, Paul (1996). "Graham Young (1947–90); the St Albans poisoner: his life and times". Criminal
Behaviour and Mental Health 6: 17. doi:10.1002/cbm.132.
• Crimelibrary entry for Graham Young [3]
• Graham Young at Murder in the UK [4]
• The Young Poisoner's Handbook [5] at the Internet Movie Database
References
[1] Lewis, Leo (3 November 2005). "Schoolgirl blogger poisons mother in homage to killer" (http:/ / www. timesonline. co. uk/ tol/ news/ world/
article585815. ece). The Times (London). . Retrieved 4 May 2010.
[2] "Ruling on Japan poison-diary girl" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ asia-pacific/ 4961768. stm). BBC News. 1 May 2006. . Retrieved 4 May
2010.
[3] http:/ / www. crimelibrary. com/ serial_killers/ weird/ graham_young/ index. html
[4] http:/ / www. murderuk. com/ poisoners_graham_young. html
[5] http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt0115033/
Harold Shipman 54
Harold Shipman
Harold Shipman
Harold Shipman
Birth name: Harold Fredrick Shipman
Also known as: "Dr. Death"
Born: 14 January 1946

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
Died: 13 January 2004 (aged 57)

HM Prison Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England
Cause of death: Suicide by hanging
Killings
Number of victims: 215+
Date apprehended: 7 September 1998
Harold Frederick "Fred" Shipman[1] (14 January 1946 – 13 January 2004) was an English convicted serial killer
and former doctor. He is one of the most prolific known serial killers in history with 215 murders being positively
ascribed to him, although the real number is likely to be slightly higher than this.
On 31 January 2000, a jury found Shipman guilty of 15 murders. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and the
judge recommended that he never be released. The whole life tariff was confirmed by the Home Secretary a little
over two years later.
After his trial, the Shipman Inquiry, chaired by Dame Janet Smith, investigated all deaths certified by Shipman.
About 80% of his victims were women. His youngest victim was Peter Lewis, a 41-year-old man.[2] Much of
Britain's legal structure concerning health care and medicine was reviewed and modified as a direct and indirect
result of Shipman's crimes, especially after the findings of the Shipman Inquiry, which began on 1 September 2000
and lasted almost two years. Shipman is the only British doctor found guilty of murdering his patients.[3]
Shipman died on 13 January 2004, after hanging himself in his cell at Wakefield Prison in West Yorkshire.
Harold Shipman 55
Early life and career

Shipman was born in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, the second of four children of Vera and Harold Shipman, a lorry
driver.[4] [5] His working class parents were devout Methodists.[5] [4] Shipman was particularly close to his mother,
who died during his teenage years.[5] [6] Her death came in a manner similar to what would later become Shipman's
own modus operandi; she had contracted cancer, and had morphine administered at home with a doctor in the later
stages of the disease. Shipman witnessed his mother's pain subside in light of her terminal condition, up until her
death on June 21, 1963.[7]
Shipman received a scholarship to medical school, and graduated from Leeds School of Medicine in 1970.[8] He
started work at Pontefract General Infirmary in Pontefract, West Riding of Yorkshire, and in 1974, took his first
position as a general practitioner (GP) in Todmorden, West Yorkshire. In 1975 he was caught forging prescriptions
of pethidine for his own use. He was fined £600, and briefly attended a drug rehabilitation clinic in York. After a
brief period as medical officer for Hatfield College, Durham, and temporary work for the National Coal Board, he
became a GP at the Donneybrook Medical Centre in Hyde, Cheshire, in 1977.[8] [9]
Shipman continued working as a GP in Hyde throughout the 1980s and founded his own surgery on Market Street in
1993, becoming a respected member of the community. In 1983, he was interviewed on the Granada television
documentary World in Action on how the mentally ill should be treated in the community.[10]
Detection
In March 1998, Dr. Linda Reynolds of the Brooke Surgery in Hyde—prompted by Deborah Massey from Frank
Massey and Son's funeral parlour—expressed concerns to John Pollard, the coroner for the South Manchester
District, about the high death rate among Shipman's patients. In particular, she was concerned about the large
number of cremation forms for elderly women that he had needed countersigned. She claimed Shipman was, either
through negligence or intent, killing his patients.
The matter was brought to the attention of the police, who were unable to find sufficient evidence to bring charges;
The Shipman Inquiry later blamed the police for assigning inexperienced officers to the case. Between 17 April
1998, when the police abandoned the investigation, and Shipman's eventual arrest, he killed three more people.[11]
[12]
His last victim was Kathleen Grundy, a former Mayor of Hyde, who was found dead at her home on 24 June
1998. Shipman was the last person to see her alive, and later signed her death certificate, recording "old age" as
cause of death.
Grundy's daughter, lawyer Angela Woodruff, became concerned when solicitor Brian Burgess informed her that a
will had been made, apparently by her mother (although there were doubts about its authenticity). The will excluded
her and her children, but left £386,000 to Shipman. Burgess told Woodruff to report it, and went to the police, who
began an investigation. Grundy's body was exhumed, and when examined found to contain traces of diamorphine
(heroin), often used for pain control in terminal cancer patients. Shipman was arrested on 7 September 1998, and was
found to own a typewriter of the type used to make the forged will.[13]
The police then investigated other deaths Shipman had certified, and created a list of 15 specimen cases to
investigate. They discovered a pattern of his administering lethal overdoses of diamorphine, signing patients' death
certificates, and then forging medical records indicating they had been in poor health.[14]
Prescription For Murder, a book by journalist Brian Masters, reports two theories on why Shipman forged the will.
One is that he wanted to be caught because his life was out of control; the other reason, that he planned to retire at
fifty-five and leave the country.
Harold Shipman 56

Shipman's trial, presided over by Mr Justice Forbes, began on 5 October 1999. Shipman was charged with the
murders of Marie West, Irene Turner, Lizzie Adams, Jean Lilley, Ivy Lomas, Muriel Grimshaw, Marie Quinn,
Kathleen Wagstaff, Bianka Pomfret, Norah Nuttall, Pamela Hillier, Maureen Ward, Winifred Mellor, Joan Melia,
and Kathleen Grundy, all of whom had died between 1995 and 1998.
On 31 January 2000, after six days of deliberation, the jury found Shipman guilty of killing 15 patients by lethal
injections of diamorphine, and forging the will of Kathleen Grundy. The trial judge sentenced him to 15 consecutive
life sentences and recommended that he never be released. Shipman also received four years for forging the will.
Two years later, Home Secretary David Blunkett confirmed the judge's recommendation that Shipman never be
released, just months before British government ministers lost their power to set minimum terms for prisoners.
In February 2002, the General Medical Council formally struck Shipman off their register.
Shipman consistently denied his guilt, disputing the scientific evidence against him. He never made any statements
about his actions. His defence tried, but failed, to have the count of murder of Mrs Grundy, where a clear motive was
alleged, tried separately from the others, where no obvious motive was apparent and his wife Primrose aparently was
in denial about his crimes as well. [15]
Although many other cases could have been brought to court, the authorities concluded it would be hard to have a
fair trial, in view of the enormous publicity surrounding the original trial. Also, given the sentences from the first
trial, a further trial was unnecessary. The Shipman Inquiry concluded Shipman was probably responsible for about
250 deaths.[16] The Shipman Inquiry also suggested that he liked to use drugs recreationally. [17]
Despite the prosecutions of Dr John Bodkin Adams in 1957, Dr Leonard Arthur in 1981, and Dr Thomas Lodwig in
1990 (amongst others),[18] Shipman is the only doctor in British legal history to be found guilty of killing
patients.[19] According to historian Pamela Cullen, Adams had also been a serial killer—potentially killing up to 165
of his patients between 1946 and 1956—and it's estimated he may have killed over 450 but as he "was found not
guilty, there was no impetus to examine the flaws in the system until the Shipman case. Had these issues been
addressed earlier, it might have been more difficult for Shipman to commit his crimes."[20] H. G. Kinnell, writing in
the British Medical Journal, also speculates that Adams "possibly provided the role model for Shipman".[21]
Death
Shipman committed suicide by hanging in his cell at Wakefield Prison at 6:20 am on 13 January 2004, on the eve of
his 58th birthday, and was pronounced dead at 8:10 am. A Prison Service statement indicated that Shipman had
hanged himself from the window bars of his cell using bed sheets.[22] Some British tabloids expressed joy at his
suicide and encouraged other serial killers to follow his example; The Sun ran a celebratory front page headline,
"Ship Ship hooray!"[23]
Some of the victims' families, however, said they felt cheated,[24] as his suicide meant they would never have the
satisfaction of Shipman's confession, and answers as to why he committed his crimes. The then Home Secretary
David Blunkett noted that celebration was tempting, saying: "You wake up and you receive a call telling you
Shipman has topped himself and you think, is it too early to open a bottle? And then you discover that everybody's
very upset that he's done it."[25]
Despite The Sun's celebration of Shipman's suicide, his death divided national newspapers, with the Daily Mirror
branding him a "cold coward" and condemning the Prison Service for allowing his suicide to happen. The
Independent, on the other hand, called for the inquiry into Shipman's suicide to look more widely at the state of
Britain's prisons as well as the welfare of inmates.[26]
Shipman's motive for suicide was never established, although he had reportedly told his probation officer that he was
considering suicide so that his widow could receive a National Health Service (NHS) pension and lump sum, even
though he had been stripped of his own pension.[27] His wife received a full NHS pension, which she would not have
Harold Shipman 57
been entitled to if he had died after the age of 60.[28] FBI "profiler" John Douglas asserted that serial killers are
usually obsessed with manipulation and control, and killing themselves in police custody, or committing "suicide by
cop", can be a final act of control.[29] Shipman had been emotional and close to tears when his refusal to take part in
courses which would have encouraged him to confess his guilt led to privileges including the opportunity to
telephone his wife being removed. [30] Privileges had been returned the week before the suicide. [31] Also Primrose
who had consistently believed that he was innocent might have begun to suspect Harold Shipman’s guilt.
According to Tony Fleming, Shipman's ex-cellmate, Primrose recently wrote her husband a letter, exhorting
him to "tell me everything, no matter what".[32]
Shortly after Shipman's death, Sir David Ramsbotham wrote an article in The Guardian newspaper, urging that
whole life sentencing be replaced by indefinite sentencing. He said indefinite sentences would be better than whole
life sentences because, while a prisoner might still never be released, they would always have the hope that they
might.[33] A high proportion of prisoners with whole life tariffs or very long sentences want to die, see for example,
Ian Huntley, Ian Brady, Gary Gilmore.
Aftermath
In January 2001, Chris Gregg, a senior West Yorkshire detective was selected to lead an investigation into 22 of the
West Yorkshire deaths.[34] Following this a report into Shipman's activities submitted in July 2002 concluded that he
had killed at least 215 of his patients between 1975 and 1998, during which time he practiced in Todmorden, West
Yorkshire (1974–1975) and Hyde, Greater Manchester (1977–1998). Dame Janet Smith, the judge who submitted
the report, admitted that many more suspicious deaths could not be definitively ascribed to him. Most of his victims
were elderly women in good health.
In her sixth and final report, issued on 24 January 2005, Smith reported that she believed that Shipman had killed
three patients, and she had serious suspicions about four further deaths, including that of a four-year-old girl, during
the early stage of his medical career at Pontefract General Hospital, West Riding, Yorkshire. Smith concluded the
probable number of Shipman's victims between 1971 and 1998 was 250. In total, 459 people died while under his
care, but it is uncertain how many of those were Shipman's victims, as he was often the only doctor to certify a
death.[35]
The Shipman Inquiry also recommended changes to the structure of the General Medical Council.[36]
The General Medical Council charged six doctors who signed cremation forms for Shipman's victims with
misconduct, claiming they should have noticed the pattern between Shipman's home visits and his patients' deaths.
All these doctors were found not guilty. Shipman's widow, Primrose Shipman, was called to give evidence about two
of the deaths during the inquiry. She maintained her husband's innocence both before and after the prosecution.
In October 2005, a similar hearing was held against two doctors who worked at Tameside General Hospital in 1994,
who failed to detect that Shipman deliberately administered a "grossly excessive" dose of morphine.[37] [38]
A 2005 inquiry into Shipman's suicide found that it "could not have been predicted or prevented," but that
procedures should nonetheless be re-examined.[28]
In 2005, it came to light that Shipman might have stolen jewellery from his victims. Over £10,000 worth of jewellery
had been found in his garage in 1998, and in March 2005, with Primrose Shipman pressing for it to be returned to
her, police wrote to the families of Shipman's victims asking them to identify the jewellery.[39] [40]
Unidentified items were handed to the Assets Recovery Agency in May.[41] In August the investigation ended: 66
pieces were returned to Primrose Shipman and 33 pieces, which she confirmed were not hers, were auctioned. The
proceeds of the auction went to Tameside Victim Support.[42] [43] The only piece actually returned to a murdered
patient's family was a platinum-diamond ring, for which the family were able to provide a photograph as proof of
ownership.
Harold Shipman 58
A memorial garden to Shipman's victims, called the Garden of Tranquillity, opened in Hyde Park (Hyde) on 30 July
2005.[44]
Harold and Fred (They Make Ladies Dead) was a 2001 strip cartoon in Viz, also featuring serial killer Fred West.
Extracts from the strip were subsequently merchandised as a coffee mug.
Shipman, a television dramatisation of the case, was made in 2002 and starred James Bolam in the title role.[45] The
case was also referenced in an episode of the 2003 television series Diagnosis: Unknown called "Deadly Medicine"
(Season 2, Episode 17, 2003).[46] Shipman's activities also inspired D.A.W., an episode of the American TV series
Law & Order: Criminal Intent. In it, the police investigate a physician who they discover has killed 200 of his
patients.[47]
Both The Fall and Jonathan King have released songs about Shipman. The Fall's song is, "What About Us?", from
the 2005 album Fall Heads Roll, asks the question "what about us, Shipman?"—implying Shipman should have
handed out free drugs to the author (for recreational use).
King's song became controversial when, six months after its release, it was reported to be in Shipman's defence,
urging listeners not to "fall for a media demon".[48]
As of early 2009, families of the victims of Shipman are still attempting to seek compensation for the loss of their
loved ones.[49]
In September 2009, it was announced that letters written by Shipman during his prison sentence were to be sold at
auction.[50] However, following complaints from victim's relatives and the media, the letters were removed from
sale.
See also
• Angel of Mercy (serial killer)
• John Bodkin Adams
• Most prolific murderers by number of victims
• Michael Swango — American surgeon and serial killer
• Shipman (television film)
External links
• Shipman Inquiry [51]
• BBC — The Shipman Murders [52]
• List of suspected murders [53]
• Caso abierto, Dr Death: The Shipman Case [54]
References
[1] Harold Shipman: The killer doctor (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ uk_news/ 3391897. stm) BBC News, 13 January 2004
[2] The Shipman Inquiry (http:/ / www. the-shipman-inquiry. org. uk/ 6r_page. asp?ID=3401)
[3] The Case of Dr. John Bodkin Adams (http:/ / www. strangerinblood. co. uk/ html/ case. htm)
[4] Swan, Norman (2002-07-29). "Why Some Doctors Kill" (http:/ / www. abc. net. au/ rn/ healthreport/ stories/ 2002/ 636389. htm). The Health
Report. . Retrieved 2010-04-01.
[5] Kaplan, Robert M. (2009). Medical Murder: Disturbing Cases of Doctors Who Kill. Allen & Unwin. pp. 59–60. ISBN1741756103.
[6] Herbert, Ian (2004-01-14). "How a humble GP perverted his medical skill to become Britain's most prolific mass killer" (http:/ / www.
independent. co. uk/ news/ uk/ crime/ how-a-humble-gp-perverted-his-medical-skill-to-become-britains-most-prolific-mass-killer-573066.
html). The Independent (London). . Retrieved 2009-09-02.
[7] (http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ notorious/ shipman/ die_3. html) The Early Life of Harold Shipman
[8] "Harold Shipman: Timeline" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ health/ 2136444. stm). BBC News. 2002-07-18. . Retrieved 2010-04-01.
[9] Bunyan, Nigel (2001-06-16). "The Killing Fields of Harold Shipman" (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ culture/ 4724155/
The-Killing-Fields-of-Harold-Shipman. html). London: Telegraph. . Retrieved 2010-04-01.
Harold Shipman 59
[10] http:/ / www. tamesideadvertiser. co. uk/ news/ shipman/ uncovering/

[11] Second Report - The Police Investigation of March 1998 (Cm 5853) (http:/ / www. the-shipman-inquiry. org. uk/ secondreport. asp). The
Shipman Inquiry. 14 July 2003. .
[12] "Shipman inquiry criticises police" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 3064231. stm). BBC News. 14 July 2003. .
[13] "The Shipman tapes I" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ in_depth/ uk/ 2000/ the_shipman_murders/ the_shipman_files/ 613286. stm). BBC
News. 2000-01-31. . Retrieved 2008-09-27.
[14] "UK Doctor 'forged victim's medical history'" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ uk_news/ 510002. stm). BBC News. 1999-11-08. . Retrieved
2008-09-27.
[15] "He could do no wrong" (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ world/ 2004/ jan/ 16/ gender. uk). The Guardian (London). 16 January 2004. .
Retrieved 4 May 2010.
[16] [[The Shipman Inquiry (http:/ / www. the-shipman-inquiry. org. uk/ 6r_page. asp?ID=3401)] — Sixth Report — Conclusions]
[17] "Shipman's 'reckless' experiments" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 4212627. stm). BBC News. 27 January 2005. .
[18] Killing the Willing ... And Others! Legal Aspects of Euthanasia and Related Topics (http:/ / www. actrtla. org. au/ euth/ bookeu/ smith.
htm#E12E15)
[19] Strangerinblood.co.uk (http:/ / www. strangerinblood. co. uk/ html/ case. htm) Dr Nigel Cox was convicted of attempted murder in 1992, in
the death of Lillian Boyes.
[20] Strangerinblood.co.uk (http:/ / www. strangerinblood. co. uk/ html/ case. htm)
[21] Kinnell HG (2000). "Serial homicide by doctors: Shipman in perspective" (http:/ / bmj. com/ cgi/ pmidlookup?view=long&
pmid=11124192). BMJ 321 (7276): 1594–7. PMID 11124192. PMC 1119267. .
[22] "Harold Shipman found dead in cell" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ uk_news/ 3391871. stm). BBC. 13 January 2004. .
[23] "Ship Ship hooray!" (http:/ / www. thesun. co. uk/ article/ 0,,2-2004021004,00. html). The Sun. 14 January 2004. .
[24] "No mourning from Shipman families" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 3392135. stm). BBC News. 13 January 2004. .
[25] "Blunkett admits Shipman error" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk_politics/ 3404041. stm). BBC News. 16 January 2004. .
[26] "Shipman's death divides papers" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 3395065. stm). BBC News. 14 January 2004. . Retrieved 4 May 2010.
[27] "Shipman leaves his wife £24,000" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ 3611019. stm). BBC News. 8 April 2004. .
[28] "Shipman suicide 'not preventable'" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 4182730. stm). BBC News. 2005-08-25. .
[29] Douglas, John. Anatomy of a Motive
[30] "Shipman suicide 'not preventable'" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 4182730. stm). BBC News. 25 August 2005. . Retrieved 4 May
2010.
[31] "Harold Shipman found dead in cell" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 3391871. stm). BBC News. 13 January 2004. . Retrieved 4 May
2010.
[32] "He could do no wrong" (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ world/ 2004/ jan/ 16/ gender. uk). The Guardian (London). 16 January 2004. .
[33] Ramsbotham, David (14 January 2004). "How do you protect the living dead?" (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ comment/ story/
0,,1122572,00. html). London: The Guardian. . Retrieved 4 May 2010.
[34] "How many more did Shipman kill?" (http:/ / www. independent. co. uk/ news/ uk/ crime/ how-many-more-did-shipman-kill-630689. html).
The Independent (London). 9 October 2001. . Retrieved 19 September 2009.
[35] "Shipman 'killed early in career'" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 4210581. stm). BBC News. 27 January 2005. .
[36] "Shipman report demands GMC reform" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ health/ 4081425. stm). BBC News. 9 December 2004. .
[37] "Shipman doctors deny misconduct" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 4305366. stm). BBC News. 3 October 2005. .
[38] "Shipman doctor 'not good enough'" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 4331208. stm). BBC News. 11 October 2005. .
[39] "Theft fears over 'Shipman gems'" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 4357193. stm). BBC News. 17 March 2005. .
[40] "Twenty make Shipman jewels claims" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ uk_news/ england/ manchester/ 4446593. stm). BBC News. 15
April 2005. .
[41] "Shipman jewels not going to widow" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 4574147. stm). BBC News. 24 May 2005. .
[42] "Shipman stole victim's jewellery" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 4197812. stm). BBC News. 31 August 2005. .
[43] "Shipman's stolen gems found in his wife's jewellery box" (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ shipman/ Story/ 0,,1559544,00. html). London:
The Guardian. 31 August 2005. . Retrieved 4 May 2010.
[44] "Garden tribute to Shipman victims" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 4731119. stm). BBC News. 30 July 2005. .
[45] Roger Bamford (Director). (2002). Shipman (http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt0306943). [Television drama]. .
[46] Greg Francis (Director). (2003). Diagnosis: Unknown: Deadly Medicine (http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt0559329). [Television series]. .
[47] Law & Order: Criminal Intent: D.A.W. episode (http:/ / www. tv. com/ law-and-order-criminal-intent/ d. a. w. / episode/ 317616/ summary.
html) (Season 3, Episode 20), TV.com. Accessed 19 September 2009.
[48] BBC Article concerning Jonathan King's song 'The True Story of Harold Shipman (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/
6896298. stm)
[49] "Alexander Harris, the law firm who represented families of victims of Allitt and Shipman" (http:/ / alexanderharris. co. uk/ article/
Nurse_convicted_of_murder_of_two_patients_by_lethal_injection_2588. asp). Alexander Harris. 2006-08-25. .
[50] "Shipman prison letters to be sold" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 8275479. stm). BBC. 27 September 2009. .
Retrieved 27 September 2009.
Harold Shipman 60
[51] http:/ / www. the-shipman-inquiry. org. uk/

[52] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ in_depth/ uk/ 2000/ the_shipman_murders/ default. stm
[53] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 2138888. stm
[54] http:/ / www. casoabierto. com/ reportajes/ cronica-negra/ Dr-Death-The-Harold-Shipman-Case. html
John Bodkin Adams

Dr John Bodkin Adams
John Bodkin Adams in the 1940s

Born 21 January 1899
Randalstown, County Antrim, Ireland
Died 4 July 1983 (aged 84)

Eastbourne, England
John Bodkin Adams (21 January 1899 – 4 July 1983) was an Irish-born British general practitioner, convicted
fraudster and suspected serial killer.[1] Between the years 1946-1956, more than 160 of his patients died under
suspicious circumstances.[2] Of these 132 left him money or items in their will. He was tried and acquitted for the
murder of one patient in 1957. Another count of murder was withdrawn by the prosecution in what was later
described as "an abuse of process" by the presiding judge Patrick Devlin, causing questions to be asked in Parliament
about the prosecution's handling of events.[3] The trial featured in headlines around the world[4] and was described at
the time as "one of the greatest murder trials of all time"[5] and "murder trial of the century".[6] It was also described
at the time as "unique" because, in the words of the judge, "the act of murder" had "to be proved by expert
evidence."[4]
The trial had several important legal ramifications. It established the principle of double effect, whereby a doctor
giving treatment with the aim of relieving pain may, as an unintentional result, shorten life.[7] Secondly, due to the
publicity surrounding Adams's committal hearing, the law was changed to allow defendants to ask for such hearings
to be held in private.[8] Finally, though a defendant had never been required to give evidence in his own defence, the
judge underlined in his summing-up that no prejudice should be attached by the jury to Adams not doing so.[7]
Adams was found guilty in a subsequent trial of 13 offences of prescription fraud, lying on cremation forms,
obstructing a police search and failing to keep a dangerous drugs register. He was removed from the Medical
Register in 1957 and reinstated in 1961 after two failed applications.
Scotland Yard's files on the case were initially closed to the public for 75 years, until 2033.[9] Special permission was
granted in 2003 to reopen the files.
Early years
Adams was born into a highly religious family of Plymouth Brethren, an austere Protestant sect of which he
remained a member for his entire life.[10] His father, Samuel, was a preacher in the local congregation, though by
profession he was a watchmaker. He also had a passionate interest in cars, which he would pass on to John. Samuel
was 39 years old when he married Ellen Bodkin, 30, in Randalstown, Ireland, in 1896. John was their first son,
followed by a brother, William Samuel, in 1903. In 1914, Adams's father died of a stroke. Four years later, William
died in the 1918 influenza pandemic.[11]
After attending Coleraine Academical Institution for a number of years, Adams matriculated at Queen's University
Belfast, at the age of 17. There he was seen as a "plodder" and "lone wolf" by his lecturers[11] and, due partly to an
illness (probably tuberculosis), he missed a year of studies. He graduated in 1921 having failed to qualify for
honours.[11]
In 1921, surgeon Arthur Rendle Short offered him a position as assistant houseman at Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Adams spent a year there but did not prove a success.[12] On Short's advice, Adams applied for a job as a general
practitioner in a Christian practice in Eastbourne.[13]
Eastbourne
Adams arrived in Eastbourne in 1922, where he lived with his mother and also
his cousin, Sarah Florence Henry. In 1929 he borrowed £2,000 (£90.6 thousand
today) from a patient, William Mawhood,[14] and bought Kent Lodge, an
18-room house[15] in Trinity Trees (then known as Seaside Road[16] ), a select
address. Adams would frequently invite himself to the Mawhoods' residence at
meal time, even bringing his mother and cousin.[14] He also began charging items
to their accounts at local stores, without their permission. Mrs Mawhood would
later describe Adams to the police as "a real scrounger".[17] When Mr Mawhood
died in 1949, Adams visited his widow uninvited and took a 22-carat gold pen
from her bedroom dressing table, saying he wanted "something of her
husband's". He never visited her again.[17]
Gossip regarding Adams's unconventional methods had started by the mid 1930s. Kent Lodge, where Adams lived
[18] from 1929 to 1983
In 1935 Adams inherited £7,385 from a patient, Matilda Whitton. This is
equivalent to £380 thousand today. The will was contested by her relatives but
upheld in court, though a codicil giving Adams's mother £100 was overturned.[19] Adams then began receiving
"anonymous postcards" about him "bumping off" patients, as he admitted in a newspaper interview in 1957.[20]
These were received at a rate of 3 or 4 a year until the war, and then commenced again in 1945.[21]
Adams stayed in Eastbourne throughout the war, though he was "furious" at not being deemed desirable by other
doctors to be selected for a "pool system" where GPs would treat the patients of colleagues who had been called
up.[22] In 1941 he gained a diploma in anaesthetics[22] and worked in a local hospital one day a week, where he
acquired a reputation as a bungler. He would fall asleep during operations, eat cakes, count money, and even mix up
the anaesthetic gas tubes, leading to patients waking up or turning blue.[23] In 1943, his mother died[22] and in 1952
his cousin Sarah developed cancer. Adams gave her an injection half an hour before she died and according to
Cullen, this is the only "case where it can be considered that the Doctor was 'easing the passing'".[24]
Adams's career was very successful, and by 1956 "he was probably the wealthiest GP in England"[1] . He attended
some of the most famous and influential people in the region, including MP and Olympic medal winner Lord
Burghley, society painter Oswald Birley, Admiral Robert Prendergast, industrialist Sir Alexander Maguire, the 10th
Duke of Devonshire, Eastbourne's Chief Constable Richard Walker and a host of businessmen.[25] However, after
years of rumours, and Adams's having been mentioned in at least 132 wills of his patients,[26] on 23 July 1956
Eastbourne police received an anonymous call about a death. It was from Leslie Henson, the music hall performer,
whose friend Gertrude Hullett had died unexpectedly while being treated by Adams.[27]
The police investigation

The investigation was taken over from Eastbourne police on 17 August[28] by two officers from the Metropolitan
Police's Murder Squad. The senior officer, Detective Superintendent Herbert Hannam of Scotland Yard was known
for having solved the infamous Teddington Towpath Murders in 1953.[28] He was assisted by a junior officer,
Detective Sergeant Charles Hewett. The investigation decided to focus on cases from 1946 to 1956 only.[26] Of the
310 death certificates examined by Home Office pathologist Francis Camps, 163 were deemed to be suspicious.[2]
Many had been given "special injections" of substances Adams refused to describe to the nurses caring for his
patients. Furthermore, it emerged that his habit was to ask the nurses to leave the room before injections were
given.[29] He would also isolate patients from their relatives, hindering contact between them.[30]
Obstruction
On 24 August, in an "extraordinary move"[31] the British Medical Association (BMA) sent a letter to all doctors in
Eastbourne reminding them of "Professional Secrecy" (i.e. patient confidentiality) if interviewed by the police.[32]
Hannam was not impressed, especially since any information gleaned would relate to dead patients.[32] He, and the
Attorney-General, Sir Reginald Manningham-Buller (who prosecuted all cases of poisoning), wrote to the BMA
secretary, Dr Macrae, "to try to get him to remove the ban".[32] The impasse continued until on 8 November
Manningham-Buller met with Dr Macrae to convince him of the importance of the case. During this meeting, in a
highly unusual move[33] , he passed Hannam's confidential 187 page report on Adams to Dr Macrae. Dr Macrae took
the report to the President of the BMA and returned it the next day. In all likelihood, he also copied it and passed it
on to the defence.[34] Convinced of the seriousness of the accusations, Dr Macrae dropped his opposition to doctors
talking to the police. In the end though, only two Eastbourne doctors ever gave evidence to the police.[35]
On 28 November 1956, opposition Labour Party MPs Stephen Swingler and Hugh Delargy gave notice of two
questions to be asked in the House of Commons regarding the affair, one asking what "reports [the
Attorney-General] has sent" to the General Medical Council (GMC) of the BMA in the "past six months".[36]
Manningham-Buller replied that he had "had no communications" with the GMC, but only with an officer of it. He
did not mention the report.[36] Instead, he instigated an investigation into a leak[36] , later concluding that Hannam
himself[37] had passed information regarding the meeting with Dr Macrae to a journalist, probably Rodney
Hallworth of the Daily Mail.[38]
The meeting
On 1 October 1956 Hannam bumped into Adams[39] and Adams asked "You are finding all these rumours untrue,
aren't you?"[40] Hannam mentioned a prescription Adams had forged: "That was very wrong [...] I have had God's
forgiveness for it", Adams replied.[40] Hannam brought up the deaths of Adams' patients and his receipt of legacies
from them. Adams answered: "A lot of those were instead of fees, I don't want money. What use is it? I paid £1100
super tax last year"[40] Hannam later mentioned, "Mr Hullett left you £500". Adams replied, "Now, now, he was a
life-long friend [...] I even thought it would be more than it was."[40] Finally, when asked why he had stated
untruthfully on cremation forms that he was not to inherit from the deceased, Adams said:
"Oh, that wasn't done wickedly, God knows it wasn't. We always want cremations to go off smoothly for
the dear relatives. If I said I knew I was getting money under the Will they might get suspicious and I
like cremations and burials to go smoothly. There was nothing suspicious really. It was not
deceitful."[41]
Search
On 24 November, Hannam, Hewett and the head of Eastbourne CID, Detective Inspector Pugh, searched Adams'
house with a warrant issued (in Pugh's name) under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1951. When told they were looking
for "Morphine, Heroin, Pethidine and the like" Adams was surprised, "Oh, that group. You will find none here. I
haven't any. I very seldom ever use them" he said.[42] When Hannam asked for Adams' Dangerous Drugs Register –
the record of those ordered and used - Adams responded: "I don't know what you mean. I keep no register."[43] He
hadn't kept one in fact since 1949.[44] When shown a list of dangerous drugs he had prescribed Morrell, and asked
who administered them, Adams said, "I did nearly all. Perhaps the nurses gave some but mostly me"[43] -
contradicting what the nurses' notebooks would show during his trial. Hannam then observed, "Doctor, you
prescribed for her 75 - 1/6 grains Heroin tablets the day before she died." Adams replied, "Poor soul, she was in
terrible agony. It was all used. I used them myself [...] Do you think it is too much?"[43]
Adams opened a cupboard for the police: amongst medicine bottles were "chocolates - slabs stuck - butter,
margarine, sugar".[45] While the officers inspected it Adams walked to another cupboard and slipped two objects into
his jacket pocket. Hannam and Pugh challenged him and Adams showed them two bottles of morphine; one he said
was for Annie Sharpe[45] , a patient and major witness who had died nine days earlier under his care; the other said
"Mr Soden"[45] . He had died on 17 September 1956 but pharmacy records later showed Soden had never been
prescribed morphine.[46] Adams was later (after his main trial in 1957) convicted of obstructing the search,
concealing the bottles and for failing to keep a Dangerous Drugs register. Later at the police station, Adams told
Hannam:
"Easing the passing of a dying person isn't all that wicked. She [Morrell] wanted to die. That can't be murder.
It is impossible to accuse a doctor."[20] [44]
In the basement of Adams' house, the police found, "a lot of unused china and silverware. In one room there were 20
new motor car tyres still in their wrappings and several new motor car leaf springs. Wines and spirits were stored in
quantity."[47] Hallworth reports that Adams was stockpiling in case of another World War.[48] On the second floor,
"one room was given over to an armoury [:] six guns in a glass-fronted display case, several automatic pistols".[47]
He had permits for these. Another room was used "wholly for photographic equipment. A dozen very expensive
cameras in leather cases" lay around.[47]
Sexuality
In December the police acquired a memorandum belonging to a Daily Mail journalist[49] , concerning rumours of
homosexuality between "a police officer, a magistrate, and a doctor".[50] The latter directly implied Adams. This
information had come, according to the reporter, directly from Hannam.[50] The 'magistrate' was Sir Roland Gwynne,
Mayor of Eastbourne from 1929 to 1931 and brother of Rupert Gwynne, MP for Eastbourne from 1910 to 1924.[51]
Gwynne was Adams's patient and known to visit every morning at 9 am. They went on frequent holidays together
and had just spent three weeks in Scotland that September.[52] The 'police officer' was the Deputy Constable of
Eastbourne, Alexander Seekings.[53] Hannam however ignored this line of inquiry (despite homosexual acts being an
offence in 1956) and the police instead gave the journalist a dressing-down.[54] The memo is, however, testament to
Adams's close connections to those of power in Eastbourne at the time.[55]
There were rumours of Adams having three "mistresses"[54] but these were probably just "covers" to avoid
suspicion.[56] Adams became engaged in around 1933 to Norah O'Hara[57] but called it off in 1935 after her father
had bought them a house and furnished it. Various explanations have been suggested: Surtees suggests that it was
because Adams's mother didn't want him to marry "trade"[58] though he also quotes a rumour that Adams wanted
O'Hara's father to change his will to favour his daughters.[58] Cullen suggests that, apart from being homosexual,
Adams also didn't want his being married to interfere with his relationship with his elderly female patients.[54]
Adams remained friends with O'Hara his whole life and remembered her in his will.[59]
The arrest
Adams was arrested on 19 December 1956,[60] . When told of the charges he said:
Murder... murder... Can you prove it was murder? [...] I didn't think you could prove it was murder. She was
dying in any event.[20] [44]
Then while he was being taken away from Kent Lodge, he gripped his receptionist's hand and told her: "I will see
you in heaven."[20] [44]
Hannam collected enough evidence in at least four of the cases for prosecution to be warranted: regarding Clara Neil
Miller, Julia Bradnum, Edith Alice Morrell, and Gertrude Hullett.[2] Of these, Adams was charged on one count: the
murder of Morrell, but with the murder of Hullett (and also of her husband) being used to prove 'system'.[61]
Committal hearing
The committal hearing took place in Lewes on 14 January 1957.[62] The Chairman of the magistrates was Sir Roland
Gwynne, but he stepped down due to his close friendship with Adams.[62] The hearing concluded on 24 January and
after a five-minute deliberation, Adams was committed for trial. A vital piece of evidence, a cheque written out for
₤1000, went missing after the hearing instigating a further police investigation. While the culprit was not found,
Scotland Yard suspected the local Deputy Inspector of Eastbourne, Seekings, of having misplaced it to help Adams.
Seekings was known to have taken holidays with Adams and Gwynne, and even looked after Gwynne's finances
while he was in hospital in January 1957.[53]
By the time the trial started on 18 March 1957 at the Old Bailey the charge had been reduced to just Morrell, with
Gertrude Hullett held back for a possible second separate trial. Three days later, a new Homicide Act came into
effect; murder by poison became a non-capital offence. Adams, having been committed before this date, would still
face the death penalty if convicted. If, however, the Home Secretary decided to grant clemency, a conviction on a
second count of murder, the Hullett charge, would make it far more difficult politically to sentence Adams to life
imprisonment.[7]
Adams and Eves

On 22 February 1957 the police were notified of a libellous and potentially prejudicial poem about the case titled
Adams and Eves. It had been read at the Cavendish Hotel on the 13th by the manager in front of 150 guests. An
officer spent ten days investigating and discovered a chain of hands through which the poem had passed and been
recopied in order to be redistributed. The original author was not discovered however, though an unnamed Fleet
Street journalist was suspected. The poem finished:
[...]
It’s the mortuary chapel
If they touch an Adam’s apple
After parting with a Bentley as a fee
So to liquidate your odd kin
By the needle of the bodkin
Send them down to sunny Eastbourne by the sea.
Edith Alice Morrell

For more information see Edith Alice Morrell
Morrell was a wealthy widow who suffered a brain thrombosis (a stroke) on 24 June 1948 while visiting her son in
Cheshire. She was partially paralysed and was admitted to a hospital. Adams, her usual doctor, arrived on the
26th[63] and the following day she was prescribed morphine (¼ grains) for pain. Adams took her back to Eastbourne
and continued the morphia, gradually increasing the dose and adding heroin, until she was addicted.
Morrell made several wills. In some, Adams received large sums of money, Morrell's Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
(valued at £1,500[64] ) and furniture — while in others, he was not mentioned at all.[65] Finally, on 13 September
1950 a codicil was written cutting Adams out of her will completely.[66] After a year and three months of treatment,
she died on 13 November 1950 aged 81.[64] Adams certified the cause of death as "stroke"[64] and on inspecting the
body, slit her wrist to ensure she was dead.[67] Despite the last codicil, Adams inherited the Rolls-Royce, a Jacobean
court cupboard and an antique chest containing silver cutlery worth £276.[64] After Morrell's death, he also took
away an infrared lamp she had bought herself, worth £60.[68] Adams billed Morrell's estate for 1,100 visits,[69]
costing ₤1,674 in total.[70] The police however estimated that Adams had visited Morrell a total of 321 times during
her treatment. On her cremation form, Adams stated that "as far as I am aware" he had no pecuniary interest in the
death of the deceased, thereby avoiding the necessity of a post-mortem.[64]
Gertrude Hullett
For more information see Gertrude Hullett
On 23 July 1956 Gertrude Hullett, another of Adams' patients, died aged 50.[71] She had been depressed since the
death of her husband four months earlier and had been prescribed large amounts of sodium barbitone and also
sodium phenobarbitone.[72] She had told Adams on frequent occasions of her wish to commit suicide.[71]
On 17 July 1956 Hullett wrote out a cheque for Adams for £1,000 - to pay for an MG car her husband had promised
to buy him.[73] Adams paid the cheque into his account the next day, and on being told that it would clear by the
21st, asked for it to be specially cleared - to arrive in his account the next day.[74]
On 19 July Hullett is thought to have taken an overdose and was found the next morning in a coma.[71] Adams was
unavailable and a colleague, Dr Harris, attended her until Adams arrived later in the day.[71] Not once during their
discussion did Adams mention her depression or her barbiturate medication.[73] They decided a cerebral
haemorrhage was most likely. On the 21st Dr Shera, a pathologist, was called in to take a spinal fluid sample and
immediately asked if her stomach contents should be examined in case of narcotic poisoning. Adams and Harris both
opposed this.[71] After Shera left, Adams visited a colleague at the Princess Alice Hospital in Eastbourne and asked
about the treatment for barbiturate poisoning. He was told to give doses of 10 cc of Megimide every five minutes,
and was given 100 cc to use. The recommended dose in the instructions was 100 cc to 200 cc.[75] Dr Cook also told
him to put Hullett on an intravenous drip. Adams did not.[76]
The next morning, at 8.30 a.m. on the 22nd, Adams called the coroner to make an appointment for a private
post-mortem. The coroner asked when the patient had died and Adams said she had not yet.[76] Dr Harris visited
again that day and Adams still made no mention of potential barbiturate poisoning. When Harris had left, Adams
gave a single injection of 10 cc of the Megimide.[76] Hullett developed broncho-pneumonia and on the 23rd at 6.00
a.m. Adams gave Hullett oxygen.[77] She died at 7.23 a.m. on the 23rd.[77] The results of a urine sample taken on the
21st were received after Hullett's death, on the 24th. It showed she had 115 grains of sodium barbitone in her body –
twice the fatal dose.[78]
An inquest was held into Hullett's death on 21 August. The coroner questioned Adams' treatment and in his summing
up said that it was "extraordinary that the doctor, knowing the past history of the patient" did not "at once suspect
barbiturate poisoning".[79] He described Adams's 10 cc dose of Megimide as another "mere gesture".[79] The inquest
concluded that Hullett committed suicide.[80] After the inquest, the cheque for £1,000 disappeared.[81]
Hullett left Adams her Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn (worth at least £2,900[81] ) in a will written five days before her
overdose.[73] Adams sold it six days before he was arrested.[81]
The trial
Adams was first tried for the murder of Morrell, with the Hullett
charge to be prosecuted afterwards. The trial lasted 17 days, the
longest murder trial in Britain up to that point.[82] It was presided
over by Mr Justice Patrick Devlin. Devlin summed up the tricky
nature of the case thus: "It is a most curious situation, perhaps
unique in these courts, that the act of murder has to be proved by
expert evidence."[4] Defence counsel Sir Frederick Geoffrey
Lawrence QC – a "specialist in real estate and divorce cases [and]
a relative stranger in criminal court",[4] who was defending his
first murder trial – convinced the jury that there was no evidence
that a murder had been committed, much less that a murder had
been committed by Adams. He emphasised that the indictment
John Bodkin Adams celebrating his acquittal
was based mainly on testimonies from the nurses who tended
Morrell — and that none of the witnesses' evidence matched the
others'. Then, on the second day of the trial, he produced notebooks written by the nurses, detailing Adams' treatment
of Morrell. The prosecution claimed never to have seen these notebooks (even though they are recorded in pretrial
lists of evidence).[83] These differed from the nurses' recollection of events, and showed that smaller quantities of
drugs were given to the patient than the prosecution had thought, based on Adams' prescriptions. Furthermore, the
prosecution's two expert medical witnesses gave differing opinions. Dr Arthur Douthwaite was prepared to say that
murder had definitely been committed (though he changed his mind in the middle of his testimony regarding the
exact date),[84] but Dr Michael Ashby was more reticent.[85] Defence witness Dr John Harman, however, was
adamant that Adams' treatment, though unusual, was not reckless. Finally, the prosecution was wrong-footed by the
defence not calling the loquacious Adams to give evidence, and thereby avoiding him "chatting himself to the
gallows".[86] This was totally unexpected, shocking the prosecution and the press, and even surprising the judge.[7]
When the jury retired to discuss the verdict, Lord Chief Justice Rayner Goddard phoned Devlin to urge him, if
Adams were found not guilty, to grant Adams bail before he was to be tried on a second count of murdering
Gertrude Hullett. Devlin was taken aback at this since a person accused of murder had never been given bail before
in English legal history.[7] During the committal hearing prior to the trial, Goddard had been seen dining with Sir
Roland Gwynne at the White Hart hotel in Lewes.[87] Goddard, as Lord Chief Justice, had by then already appointed
Devlin to try Adams' case.[7]
On 9 April 1957, the jury returned after just 44 minutes to find Adams not guilty.[88]
Concerns of prejudice in the trial

There is considerable evidence to suggest that the trial was "interfered with"[89] by those "at the highest level".[90]
• The loss of the nurses' notebooks: Eight books of records made by nurses who had worked under Adams were
recorded in pre-trial police records but disappeared before the trial started,[83] depriving Sir Reginald
Manningham-Buller, of the chance to familiarise himself with them. He was presented with only a copy of them
by the defence on the second day of the trial. These books were then used by the fully prepared defence to counter
evidence given against Adams by the nurses, who had originally written the notes. Six years after the event, the
notes could be said to be more reliable than the nurses' own memories. The defence was not required to explain
how the books came into their hands, and the Attorney-General made no effort to pursue this matter, despite his
nickname of "Sir Bullying Manner". He also failed to ask for an adjournment to acquaint himself with the new
evidence – despite the fact that the judge would have been sure to grant it.[91] [92]
• Adams himself gave three conflicting explanations for how the defence came to have the note books: they
were given to him by Morrell's son when he found them among her effects and filed away at his surgery; they
were delivered anonymously to his door after she died; they were found in the air raid shelter at the back of his
garden. His solicitor, meanwhile, claimed later that they were found by the defence team in Adams's surgery
shortly before trial.[83] All versions however differ from the police records: in the list of exhibits for the
Committal Hearing given to the DPP's office, the notes are clearly mentioned. The Attorney General therefore
must have known they existed.[93] According to Cullen, this shows "that there was a will at the highest of
levels to undermine the case against Dr Adams".[2]
• Disclosure of evidence to the BMA: On 8 November 1956, the Attorney-General handed a copy of Hannam's
187-page report to the President of the British Medical Association, effectively the doctors' trade union in Britain.
This document – the prosecution's most valuable document – was in the hands of the defence, a situation that led
the Home Secretary, Gwilym Lloyd George, to reprimand Manningham-Buller, stating that such documents
should not even be shown to "Parliament or to individual Members". "I can only hope that no harm will result"
since "the disclosure of this document is likely to cause me considerable embarrassment".[94]
• Use of the Nolle prosequi: after the not guilty verdict on the count of murdering Morrell, the Attorney-General
had the power to prosecute Adams for the death of Hullett. However, he chose to offer no evidence by entering a
nolle prosequi — historically a power only used on compassionate grounds when the accused is too ill to be tried.
This was not the case with Adams. Devlin in his post-trial book even went as far as terming this "an abuse of
process".[7]
• Wrong case chosen: Charles Hewett, Hannam's assistant, described how both officers were astounded at
Manningham-Buller's decision to charge Adams with the murder of Morrell, since her body had been cremated
and therefore there was no evidence to present before a jury.[48] He believed that there were other cases against
the doctor, where traces of drugs had been found in exhumed remains, which were more compelling as proof.[48]
Cullen also describes Morrell as "the weakest" case of the four the police deemed most suspicious.[2]
Possible reasons that have been suggested for interference

• NHS situation: The case was "very important for the medical profession".[95] The NHS had been founded in
1948 but by 1956 was stretched financially to breaking point and doctors were disaffected.[90] Indeed, a Royal
Commission was set up in February 1957 to consider doctors' pay.[90] A doctor sentenced to death would have led
to "mass defections" from the service[90] for fear of being hanged for simply prescribing medication. Moreover, it
would have ruined public confidence in the service and in the government of the time as well.[90] The situation
was such that when Harold Macmillan became Prime Minister on 10 January 1957, he told the Queen he could
not guarantee his government would last "six weeks".[96]
• The Suez Crisis: On 26 July 1956 President Nasser of Egypt announced the nationalisation of the Suez Canal.
This was opposed by Britain and France and an ultimatum was issued on 30 October. Bombardment began the
next day. On 5 November, Britain and France invaded. However, without American backing, Britain was forced
to withdraw by 24 December. In January 1957 Prime Minister Anthony Eden resigned and was succeeded by
Harold Macmillan. Adams' fate was therefore entwined with that of the reeling government.[90]
• Harold Macmillan link: On 26 November 1950 the 10th Duke of Devonshire had a heart attack. Adams tended
him and was by his side when he died, 13 days after the death of Morrell.[97] The coroner should have been
notified, since the Duke had not seen a doctor in the 14 days before his death. However, due to a loophole in the
law, Adams, though present at death, could sign the death certificate to state that the Duke died naturally.[97] The
Duke's sister was married to Harold Macmillan, and Macmillan, who became Prime Minister during preparations
for the trial, would not have wanted this case to be investigated further:[90] His wife had been having an affair
with Robert Boothby, Conservative MP for East Aberdeenshire, since 1930.[98] It should also be noted that the
Attorney-General, Manningham-Buller, attended Cabinet meetings on a regular basis.[99]
Police archives
Scotland Yard's files on the case and also those of the DPP, were closed until 2033.[9] This was an unusual decision
considering the advanced age of the suspect, witnesses and others involved in the case. The files were only opened to
the public after special permission was granted in 2003.[9]
Suspicious cases
It is worth quoting some of the evidence from testimonies gathered by Hannam during the investigation, but which
was never aired in court. Taken together, they suggest a certain modus operandi:[100]
• August 1939 – Adams was treating Agnes Pike. Her solicitors however were concerned at the amount of
hypnotic drugs he was giving her and asked another doctor, Dr. Mathew, to take over treatment. Dr Mathew
examined her in Adams's presence but could find no disease present. Moreover, the patient was "deeply under the
influence of drugs", incoherent and gave her age as 200 years. Later during the examination Adams stepped
forward unexpectedly and gave Pike an injection of morphia. Asked why he did this, Adams replied "because she
might be violent". Dr Mathew discovered that Adams had banned all relatives from seeing her. Dr Mathew
withdrew Adams's medication and after eight weeks of his care, Pike was able to do her own shopping and had
regained her full faculties.[101]
• 24 December 1946 – Emily Louise Mortimer died aged 75. Afterwards, Adams took a bottle of brandy and a
clock from her room. He claimed to the police that the clock had been loaned by him and that it wasn't 'right to
leave spirits in a nursing home'. Adams received the residue from Mortimer's will and by 1957 had earned ₤1,950
in dividends from the shares he inherited.[102]
• 23 February 1950 – Amy Ware died aged 76. Adams had banned her from seeing relatives prior to her death. She
left Adams £1000 of her total estate of £8,993, yet Adams stated on the cremation form that he was not a
beneficiary of the will. He was charged and convicted for this in 1957.[103]
• 28 December 1950 – Annabelle Kilgour died aged 89. She had been attended by Adams since July when she had
had a stroke. She went into a coma on 23 December, immediately after Adams started giving her sedatives. The
nurse involved later told the police she was 'quite certain Adams either gave the wrong injection or of far too
concentrated a type". Kilgour left Adams £200 and a clock.[104]
• 3 January 1952 – Adams purchased 5,000 phenobarbitone tablets. By the time his house was searched four years
later, none were left.[105]
• 11 May 1952 – Julia Bradnum died aged 85. The previous year Adams asked her if her will was in order and
offered to accompany her to the bank to check it. On examining it, he pointed out that she hadn't given her
beneficiaries "addresses" and that it should be rewritten. She had wanted to leave her house to her adopted
daughter but Adams suggested it would be best to sell the house and then give money to whomever she wanted.
This she did. Adams eventually received £661. While Adams attended this patient, he was often seen holding her
hand and chatting to her on one knee.[106]
• The day before Bradnum died, she had been doing housework and going for walks. The next morning she
woke up feeling unwell. Adams was called and saw her. He gave her an injection and stated "It will be over in
three minutes". It was. Adams then confirmed "I'm afraid she's gone" and left the room.[106]
• Bradnum was exhumed on 21 December 1956. Adams had said on the death certificate that Bradnum died of a
cerebral haemorrhage. Francis Camps however examined her brain and excluded this possibility. The rest of
the body however was not in a state to deduce the real cause of death. Furthermore it was noticed that Adams,
the executor, had put a plate on Bradnum's coffin stating she died on 27 May 1952. This was the date her body
was in fact interred.[106]
• 22 November 1952 – Julia Thomas, 72, was being treated by Adams (she called him "Bobbums") for depression
after her cat died in early November. On the 19th, Adams gave sedatives so she would feel "better for it in the
morning". The next day, after more tablets, she went into a coma. On the 21st he told Thomas' cook; "Mrs.
Thomas has promised me her typewriter, I'll take it now". She died at 3 am the next morning.[107]
• 15 January 1953 – Hilda Neil Miller, 86, died in a guest house where she lived with her sister Clara. They had
not been receiving their post for many months previously and were cut off from their relatives. When Hilda's
long-standing friend Dolly Wallis asked Adams about her health, he answered her with medical terms she "did
not understand". While visiting Hilda, Adams was seen by her nurse, Phyllis Owen, to pick up articles in the
room, examine them and slip them in his pocket. Adams arranged Hilda's funeral and burial site himself.[108]
• 22 February 1954 – Clara Neil Miller, died aged 87. Adams often locked the door when he saw her – for up to
twenty minutes at a time. When Dolly Wallis asked about this, Clara said he was assisting her in "personal
matters": pinning on brooches, adjusting her dress. His fat hands were "comforting" to her. She also appeared to
be under the influence of drugs.[108]
• Early that February, the coldest for many years, Adams had sat with her in her room for forty minutes. A nurse
entered, unnoticed, and saw Clara's "bed clothes all off... and over the foot rail of the bed, her night gown up
around her chest and the window in the room open top and bottom",[109] while Adams read to her from the
Bible. When later confronted by Hannam regarding this, Adams said "The person who told you that doesn't
know why I did it".[110]
• Clara left Adams £1,275 and he charged her estate a further £700 after her death.[111] He was the sole
executor.[111] Her funeral was arranged by Adams and only he and Annie Sharpe, the guest house owner, were
present.[112] She received £200 in Clara's will.[113] Adams tipped the vicar a guinea after the ceremony.[112]
Clara was one of the two bodies exhumed during the police investigation on 21 December 1956. Francis
Camps concluded that she had had bronchopneumonia possibly brought about by high drug doses – not a heart
problem as Adams had said on the death certificate.[114] According to prescription records, Adams had not
prescribed anything to treat the bronchopneumonia.[114]
• 30 May 1955 – James Downs, brother-in-law of Amy Ware (see above), died aged 88. He had entered a nursing
home with a broken ankle four months earlier. Adams had treated him with a sedative containing morphia, which
made him forgetful. On 7 April Adams gave his nurse, Sister Miller, a tablet to make him more alert. Two hours
later, a solicitor arrived for him to amend his will. Adams told the solicitor he was to be made a legatee to inherit
£1000. The solicitor amended the will and returned two hours later with another doctor, Dr Barkworth, who
declared the patient to be alert. Dr Barkworth was paid 3 guineas for his time. Nurse Miller later told police she
had heard Adams earlier that April tell the "senile" Downs; "Now look Jimmy, you promised me... you would
look after me and I see you haven't even mentioned me in your will." "I have never charged you a fee". Downs
died after a 36 hour coma, 12 hours after Adams's last visit. Adams charged his estate £216 for his services and
signed Downs' cremation form, stating he had "no pecuniary interest in the death of the deceased".[115]
• 14 March 1956 – Alfred John Hullett died, aged 71. He was the husband of Gertrude Hullett. Shortly after his
death, Adams went to a chemists to get a 10 cc hypodermic morphine solution in the name of Mr Hullett
containing 5 grains of morphine, and for the prescription to be back dated to the previous day. The police
presumed this was to cover morphine Adams had given him from his own private supplies. Mr Hullett left Adams
£500 in his will.[116]
• 15 November 1956 – Annie Sharpe, owner of the guest house where the Neil Millers died – and therefore a
major witness[111] – died suddenly of "carcinomatosis of the peritoneal cavity"[111] while Hannam and Hewett
were in London meeting with the DPP.[48] Adams had diagnosed cancer five days earlier and made a prescription
for Sharpe for hyperduric morphine and 36 pethidine tablets.[111] The police were very disappointed: they had had
two chances to interview her, and Hannam and Hewett felt she had been about to "crack".[48] She was cremated
hastily, precluding an investigation into her death.[111]
Hannam also discovered that 4 members of Adams' household staff had been prescribed either morphine, heroin or
pethidine by Adams. Adams obtained these on the NHS, leading Hannam to conclude that he was merely using their
names and keeping the drugs for his own supplies - an act of fraud.[117]
After the acquittal

In the aftermath of the trial Adams resigned from the National Health Service and was convicted in Lewes Crown
Court on 26 July 1957, on 8 counts of forging prescriptions, four counts of making false statements on cremation
forms, and three offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1951 and fined £2,400 plus costs of £457.[118] His license
to prescribe dangerous drugs was revoked on 4 September and on 27 November he was struck off the Medical
Register by the GMC.[118] Adams continued to see some of his more loyal patients, and prescribed over the counter
medicine to them.[118]
Right after the trial, Percy Hoskins, chief crime reporter for the Daily Express, whisked Adams off to a safehouse in
Westgate-on-Sea where he spent the next 2 weeks recounting his life story. Hoskins had befriended Adams during
the trial and was the only major journalist to doubt his guilt. Adams was paid ₤10,000 for the interview though he
never spent the proceeds – the notes were found in a bank vault after his death, untouched. Adams then successfully
sued several newspapers for libel[119] . He returned to Eastbourne, where he continued to practice privately despite
the common belief in the town that he had murdered people. This belief was not shared by his friends and patients in
general, however. One exception was Roland Gwynne, who distanced himself considerably from Adams after the
trial.[120]
Adams was reinstated as a general practitioner on 22 November 1961 after two failed applications and his authority
to prescribe dangerous drugs was restored the following July.[121] He continued to practice as a sole practitioner, not
resuming his partnership with the town's "Red House" practice. In August 1962 Adams applied for a visa to America
but was refused because of his dangerous drug convictions.[122]
Adams later became President (and Honorary Medical Officer) of the British Clay Pigeon Shooting Association.[123]
Roland Gwynne died on 15 November 1971. Adams signed his death certificate.[124]
Death
Adams slipped and fractured his hip on 30 June 1983 while shooting in Battle, East Sussex. He was taken to
Eastbourne hospital but developed a chest infection and died on 4 July of left ventricular failure. He left an estate of
£402,970 and bequeathed £1000 to Percy Hoskins.[125] Hoskins gave the money to charity. Adams had been
receiving legacies until the end. In 1986, The Good Doctor Bodkin Adams, a TV docudrama based on his trial, was
produced starring Timothy West.
Historical views on Adams
Pre-2003
Opinion regarding Adams has been divided, though in recent years has tended to the view that he was a killer.
Sybille Bedford, present at Adams trial, was adamant that Adams was not guilty.[126] Many publications however
were sued for libel during Adams' lifetime, showing the prevalence of the rumours that surrounded him. The 1961
film Victim, meanwhile, alludes to Adams when it is mentioned that the main character, barrister Melville Farr,
defended a "Dr Pritchard". "He should have hung, you know" Farr is told by an actor he meets, to which he responds
"For a terrible moment we thought he would".[127]
After Adams' death, writers were more free to speculate. In 1983 Rodney Hallworth and Mark Williams concluded
Adams was a serial killer and probably schizophrenic:[128] "In the opinion of many experts Adams died an
unconvicted mass-murderer". [129] Percy Hoskins, writing in 1984, was of the opposite opinion, adamant that Adams
was not guilty but merely "naive" and "avaricious".[20] In 1985 Sir Patrick Devlin, the judge, stated that Adams may
have been a "mercenary mercy killer"[130] but, though compassionate, he was at the same time greedy and "prepared
to sell death"[123] : 'He did not think of himself as a murderer but a dispenser of death [...] According to his lights, he
had done nothing wrong. There was nothing wrong in a doctor getting a legacy, nor in his bestowing in return [...] a
death as happy as heroin could make it.'[123] He also "could be convinced that Dr Adams had helped to end Mrs
Hullett's life".[131] In 2000, Surtees, a former colleague of Adams, wrote a more sympathetic account of him as being
the victim of a police vendetta.
Post-2003
These writers based their opinions almost entirely on the evidence given in court regarding Morrell.[132] The police
archives were opened in 2003 at the request of historian Pamela Cullen,[9] who writes that Adams "may have had
more victims than Shipman".[133] In her view, Adams was acquitted more due to the way the case "was presented
than [to] Doctor Adams' lack of guilt".[134] She also highlights the fact that Hannam's investigation was "blinkered"
from the perspective of motive: Hannam assumed monetary gain was the driving force because during the 1950s,
little was known of what really motivated serial killers, i.e. "physical needs, emotions and often bizarre
interpretations of reality".[135]
John Emsley, writing in 2008, concurs with Cullen saying "It now seems almost certain that over a 30-year period he
killed 160 of his patients".[136] Katherine Ramsland records that despite the outcome of the trial, Adams "is
nevertheless believed to have repeatedly committed what the law regards as murder".[137] The Association of
Muslim Health Professionals has grouped Adams in the small list of "psychopaths with medical degrees who have
harmed countless numbers of people in defiance of their professional oaths".[138] Herbert G Kinnell, writing in the
British Medical Journal, meanwhile speculates that Adams "possibly provided the role model for Shipman".[139]
Legal legacy
Adams's trial had many effects on the English legal system.
• The first was establishing the principle of double effect that if a doctor "gave treatment to a seriously ill patient
with the aim of relieving pain or distress, as a result of which that person's life was inadvertently shortened, the
doctor was not guilty of murder."[140] [141]
• Due to the potentially prejudicial evidence that was mentioned in the committal hearing (regarding Hullett –
evidence that would then not be used in Adams's first trial for murdering Morrell) the Tucker Committee was
held, which led to the law being changed in the subsequent Criminal Justice Act 1967 to restrict what might be
published about committal hearings to avoid pretrial publicity.[8]
• Though a defendant had never been required to give evidence in his own defence, judge Devlin underlined in his
summing-up that no prejudice should be attached by the jury to Adams not doing so.[7]
• The case also led to changes in Dangerous Drugs Regulations, meaning that Schedule IV poisons required a
signed and dated record of patient details and the total dose used.[8]
Subsequent cases
It was 25 years before another doctor in Britain, Dr Leonard Arthur, stood trial for murder arising from treatment.
Arthur was tried in November 1981 at Leicester Crown Court for the attempted murder of John Pearson, a newborn
child with Downs Syndrome. Like Adams, on the advice of his legal team he did not give evidence in his defence,
relying instead on expert witnesses. He was acquitted.[142]
In 2000, Harold Shipman became the only British doctor to be successfully prosecuted for the murder of his
patients.[1] He was found guilty on 15 counts and The Shipman Inquiry concluded in 2002 that he had murdered a
further 200.
See also
• Beverley Allitt
• Arnfinn Nesset
• Maxim Petrov
• Harold Shipman
• Michael Swango
• Dorothea Waddingham
• John George Haigh – the 'Acid Bath Murderer' and also Plymouth Brethren member
• Most prolific murderers by number of victims
Sources
• Bedford, Sybille. The Best We Can Do. London, Penguin, 1989. ISBN 0140115579
• Cullen, Pamela V. A Stranger in Blood: The Case Files on Dr John Bodkin Adams. London, Elliott & Thompson,
2006. ISBN 1-904027-19-9
• Devlin, Patrick. Easing the passing: The trial of Doctor John Bodkin Adams. London, The Bodley Head, 1985.
ISBN 0571139930
• Hoskins, Percy. Two men were acquitted: The trial and acquittal of Doctor John Bodkin Adams. London, Secker
& Warburg, 1984. ISBN 0436201615
• Hallworth, Rodney and Mark Williams, Where there's a will... The sensational life of Dr John Bodkin Adams.
Capstan Press, Jersey, 1983. ISBN 0946797005
• Surtees, John. The Strange Case of Dr. Bodkin Adams: The Life and Murder Trial of Eastbourne's Infamous
Doctor and the Views of Those Who Knew Him. Seaford, 2000. ISBN 1857701089
Further reading
• Cavendish, Marshall. Murder Casebook 40 Eastbourne's Doctor Death, 1990.
• Gaute, J.H.H. and Robin Odell, The New Murderer's Who's Who, Harrap Books, London, 1996.
• Ambler, Eric, The Ability to Kill, 1963 (promotional edition with chapter on Adams only - subsequent editions
had it removed due to libel fears)
External links
• "An Intruder at Eastbourne" [143], Time, New York, 28 January 1957 (Account of the initial trial, which because
of libel and contempt laws could not have been published in Britain at the time).
References
[1] "The Case of Dr John Bodkin Adams" (http:/ / www. strangerinblood. co. uk/ html/ case. htm). strangerinblood.co.uk. . Retrieved February
18, 2010.
[2] Cullen, p. 636
[3] Cullen, p. 537
[4] Not Guilty (http:/ / www. time. com/ time/ magazine/ article/ 0,9171,824796,00. html), Time, 22 April 1957.
[5] Law and Literature, ed. Brook Thomas, p. 149 – quoting Rupert Furneaux (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=58t0_3xUp_MC&
pg=PA164& lpg=PA164& dq=douthwaite+ bodkin+ trial& source=web& ots=kAnbb2tKxF&
sig=BAINsDtFTR17lRKg0nFiSDxi3mE#PPP1,M1)
[6] Times, 11 June 1985, p. 10
[7] Devlin, 1985
[8] Surtees, p. 132
[9] Cullen, p. 7
[10] He left £500 in his will to Marine Hall, his local Brethren congregation. (Cullen, p. 554)
[11] Cullen, pp. 19–23
[12] Cullen, p. 23, p. 608
[13] Cullen, p. 24
[14] Cullen, p. 55
[15] Guilty on 14 Charges – TIME (http:/ / www. time. com/ time/ magazine/ article/ 0,9171,867781,00. html)
[16] Kelly’s Directory of Eastbourne (1929), Kelly’s Directories Ltd
[17] Cullen, p. 56
[18] Her whole estate amounted to £11,465, or £590 thousand today. (Cullen, p. 59)
[19] Surtees, p. 24
[20] Hoskins, 1984
[21] Cullen, p. 536
[22] Cullen, p. 32
[23] Surtees, p. 32, pp. 37-38
[24] Cullen, p. 203
[25] Surtees, p. 33
[26] Cullen, p. 42
[27] Cullen, pp. 15-17
[28] Cullen, p. 40
[29] Cullen, p. 593
[30] Cullen, p.588
[31] "...almost designed to frustrate the investigation". (Cullen, p.587)
[32] Cullen, p. 224
[33] The Home Secretary, Gwilym Lloyd-George wrote to Manningham-Buller that: "The disclosure of this document is likely to cause me
considerable embarrassment. As you know, police reports have always been treated as highly confidential documents and it has been the
invariable practice to refuse to disclose their contents to Parliament or to individual Members. Indeed I should have no hesitation in claiming
privilege if their production were required in a court of law." He ended: "I can only hope that no harm will result." (Quoted in Cullen, p. 230)
[34] "It cannot be imagined that the Attorney General, a lawyer just one place below the rank of the Lord Chancellor of the realm could 'loan' a
police report of such importance for Dr Macrae to take it to his President and expect that only one particular paragraph would be read by them
or that they would make no copy of the report." (Cullen, p. 232)
[35] Cullen, p. 587
[36] Cullen, p. 227
[37] Cullen, p. 232
[38] Cullen, p. 228
[39] In court, the defence would accuse Hannam of intentionally "waylaying" Adams in order to informally question him. Hannam denied this.
(Cullen, p. 369)
[40] Cullen, p. 189
[41] Cullen, p. 190
[42] Cullen, p. 235
[43] Cullen, p. 236
[44] Cullen, p. 238
[45] Cullen, p. 237
[46] Cullen, p. 551
[47] Cullen, p. 594
[48] Hallworth, 1983
[49] Probably Rodney Hallworth (Cullen, p. 610)

[50] Cullen, pp. 243 - 244
[51] Cullen, pp. 622-635
[52] Cullen, p. 188
[53] Cullen, p. 47
[54] Cullen, p. 610
[55] Cullen, p. 591 and p. 641
[56] Cullen, p. 611
[57] She was the sister-in-law of one of Adams's Brethren friends (Norman Gray), and her father owned six butchers in the town. (Surtees, p. 23)
[58] Surtees, p. 23
[59] He left her: "in gratitude and memories of our long standing friendship any one item of furniture or personal or household or domestic use
ornament or consumption belonging to me at the time of my death". (Cullen, p. 553)
[60] Cullen, p. 240
[61] Cullen, p. 250
[62] Cullen, p. 249
[63] Cullen, p. 560
[64] Cullen, p. 94
[65] Cullen, pp. 88-93
[66] Cullen, p. 93
[67] Cullen, p.564
[68] Cullen, p. 96
[69] Cullen, p. 563
[70] Cullen, p. 565
[71] Cullen, pp. 156-159
[72] Over 80 days 1512 grains of the former and 6¼ grains of the latter were prescribed. (Cullen, pp. 158)
[73] Cullen, p. 569
[74] Cullen, p. 568
[75] Cullen, p. 585
[76] Cullen, p. 571
[77] Cullen, p. 153
[78] Cullen, p. 161
[79] Cullen, p. 185
[80] The inquest itself has been described as a "travesty". In the opinion of Cullen, with an ongoing police investigation, the inquest should have
been adjourned until the investigation had concluded. (Cullen, p. 184)
[81] Cullen, p. 577
[82] Cullen, p.281.
[83] Cullen, pp. 597-598.
[84] Cullen, pp. 423-424.
[85] When asked by Lawrence whether it was possible "to rule out the hypothesis that when the end came in that way at that time on that date, it
was the result of natural causes?", Ashby replied "It cannot be ruled out". (Cullen, p. 448.)
[86] Surtees, p. 122.
[87] Cullen, p.633.
[88] Cullen, p. 526.
[89] Cullen, p. 596
[90] Cullen, p. 599
[91] Devlin, p72.
[92] His reticence is especially perplexing since he was known for his doggedness. As Lord Devlin later said of him: "He could be downright
rude but he did not shout or bluster. Yet his disagreeableness was so pervasive, his persistence so interminable, the obstructions he manned so
far flung, his objectives apparently so insignificant, that sooner or later you would be tempted to ask yourself whether the game was worth the
candle: if you asked yourself that, you were finished."
[93] Cullen, pp. 598-599
[94] Cullen, p. 230
[95] Devlin, p. 35.
[96] Macmillan, Harold. The Macmillan Diaries, The Cabinet Years, 1950–1957, ed. Peter Catterall (London, Macmillan, 2003).
[97] Cullen, pp.97-101.
[98] Cullen, p. 618.
[99] Cullen, p. 648.
[100] Cullen, p. 589
[101] Cullen, pp. 61-65
[102] Cullen, pp. 72-73

[103] Cullen, pp. 124-126
[104] Cullen, pp. 109-111
[105] Documentation was found recording the purchase, though Adams denied it had taken place. (Cullen, p. 273)
[106] Cullen, pp. 102-108
[107] Cullen, pp. 80-81
[108] Cullen, pp. 132-144
[109] Cullen, pp. 143-144
[110] Cullen, p. 144
[111] Cullen, p. 142
[112] Cullen, p. 141
[113] Cullen, p. 140
[114] Cullen, p. 143
[115] Cullen, pp. 126-131
[116] Cullen, pp. 145-147
[117] Cullen, p. 547
[118] Cullen, p. 548
[119] Eric Ambler's 1963 book The Ability to Kill originally contained a chapter on Adams. 50 promotional copies were produced before the
publishers got cold feet and removed the chapter for fear of being sued. The book was finally published with an alternative chapter included (
jimbooks.com (http:/ / www. jimbooks. com/ a. htm))
[120] Cullen, p. 634
[121] Cullen, p. 549
[122] Cullen, pp. 550-552
[123] Profile of Adams (http:/ / www. shyscyberchamber. com/ adams_bodkin. asp) at shycyberchamber.com
[124] Cullen, p. 635
[125] Cullen, pp. 553-554
[126] "Whenever the name of Dr John Bodkin Adams comes up, I am asked, 'Did he do it?' 'Was he guilty?' And I always answer, 'No'".
(Bedford, p. vii)
[127] Victim, 1961
[128] Hallworth, p. 217
[129] Hallworth, p. 243
[130] Devlin, p. 199
[131] Quoted in Surtees, p. 165
[132] Though Hoskins and Hallworth, however, did visit Eastbourne in 1956 and talked to local residents and the police. Surtees interviewed
many local residents and Adams himself, though decades after the events.
[133] He "may have had more victims than Shipman – and he had a far more successful career as a serial killer" from strangerinblood.co.uk
(http:/ / www. strangerinblood. co. uk/ html/ case. htm)
[134] Cullen, p. 556
[135] Cullen, p. 637
[136] John Emsley, Molecules of Murder, 2008, pages 75-76 (http:/ / books. google. pl/ books?id=JAzKSP4NagQC& pg=PA75& lpg=PA75&
dq=)
[137] Katherine M. Ramsland, Inside the minds of healthcare serial killers, 2007, page 38 (http:/ / books. google. pl/ books?id=-NtlKgnedN8C&
pg=PA38& dq=)
[138] http:/ / islam. about. com/ b/ 2007/ 07/ 04/ muslim-doctors-speak-out. htm
[139] Kinnell HG (2000). "Serial homicide by doctors: Shipman in perspective" (http:/ / bmj. com/ cgi/ pmidlookup?view=long&
pmid=11124192). BMJ 321 (7276): 1594–7. doi:10.1136/bmj.321.7276.1594. PMID 11124192. PMC 1119267. .
[140] Treat Me Right: Essays in Medical Law and Ethics (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=pgF6nMamuQIC& pg=RA1-PA325&
dq="bodkin+ adams"& lr=& ei=kbQqSPChFaXEyASb3YimCg& sig=M4nXXrFBJQJy4Br2Ndm0qrLotQs)
[141] The summing up affirmed "that a doctor will be immune from criminal liability if his or her primary intention in these circumstances can
be characterised as an intention to relieve pain, rather than an intention to hasten death." ( Australian Euthanasia Laws Bill 1996 (http:/ / www.
aph. gov. au/ library/ pubs/ bd/ 1996-97/ 97bd045. htm))
[142] Killing the Willing ... And Others! Legal Aspects of Euthanasia and Related Topics (http:/ / www. actrtla. org. au/ euth/ bookeu/ smith.
htm#E12E15)
[143] http:/ / www. time. com/ time/ magazine/ article/ 0,9171,808977,00. html
John Christie (murderer)

John Reginald Halliday Christie
Birth name: John Reginald Halliday Christie
Also known as: [1]

Reg
Born: 8 April 1899

Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died: 15 July 1953 (aged 54)

Pentonville Prison, London, England
Cause of death: Hanged
Sentence: Death sentence
Killings
Number of victims: 6–8
Span of killings: August 1943 – 6 March 1953
Date apprehended: 31 March 1953
John Reginald Halliday Christie (8 April 1899[2] – 15 July 1953), born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, was an
English serial killer active in the 1940s and 1950s. He murdered at least six women—including his wife Ethel—by
strangling them in his flat at 10 Rillington Place, Notting Hill, London. Christie moved out of Rillington Place in
March 1953, and shortly afterwards the bodies of three of his victims were discovered hidden in an alcove in his
kitchen. Christie was arrested and convicted of his wife's murder, for which he was hanged in 1953.
Serving in the infantry during the First World War, Christie was injured in a gas attack that he claimed left him
permanently unable to speak loudly. He turned to crime following his discharge from the army and was imprisoned
several times, for offences including theft and assault. On the outbreak of war in 1939, he was accepted for service as
a Special Constable, when the authorities failed to check his criminal record. He committed his murders between
1943 and 1953, usually by strangling his victims after he had rendered them unconscious with domestic gas. Christie
raped some of the women as they lay unconscious.
Substantial controversy surrounds the responsibility for the deaths of Beryl Evans and her daughter Geraldine, who,
along with Beryl's husband Timothy, were tenants at 10 Rillington Place during 1948 and 1949. Timothy Evans was
charged with both murders, found guilty of the murder of his daughter, and hanged in 1950. Christie was a key
prosecution witness, but when his own crimes were discovered three years later, serious doubts were raised over the
integrity of Evans's conviction.
In an official inquiry conducted 1965–6, Justice Sir Daniel Brabin concluded that it was "more probable than not"
that Evans killed his wife but that he did not kill his daughter Geraldine.[3] This finding, challenged in subsequent
legal processes, enabled the Home Secretary to grant Evans a posthumous pardon for the murder of his daughter in
October 1966. The case contributed to the abolition of capital punishment for murder in the United Kingdom in
1965.[4]
Early life
Born in the family home near Halifax, West Yorkshire, on 8 April 1899, Christie was the fifth child in a family of
seven children. He had a troubled relationship with his father, carpet designer Ernest John Christie, an austere and
uncommunicative man who displayed little emotional warmth towards his children; he would punish them for trivial
offences, such as taking a tomato from a plate. Christie was also dominated by his five sisters, leading his mother,
Mary Hannah Halliday, to overprotect him, all experiences that undermined his self-confidence. In later life,
Christie's childhood peers described him as "a queer lad" who "kept himself to himself" and "was not very
popular".[5] As an adult, Christie spoke of seeing at the age of eight the open coffin of his maternal grandfather and
how profound an experience it had been to see the dead body of a man who had previously frightened him.[6]
At the age of 11, Christie won a scholarship to Halifax Secondary School, where his favourite subject was
mathematics, particularly algebra.[7] It was later found he had an IQ of 128.[8] Christie sang in the church choir and
was a Boy Scout. After leaving school aged 15, he took a job as an assistant film projectionist.[9]
In September 1916, Christie enlisted in the army and in the following April he was called up to join the 52nd
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment. In April 1918, Christie's regiment was despatched to France where he
was seconded to the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment as a signalman. In June, Christie was injured in a
mustard gas attack and spent a month in a military hospital in Calais. Later in life, Christie claimed to have been
blinded and rendered mute for three and a half years by the attack.[10] Christie's period of muteness was the alleged
reason for his inability to talk much louder than a whisper for the rest of his life. Author Ludovic Kennedy points out
that no record of his blindness has been traced and that, while Christie may have lost his voice when he was admitted
to hospital, he would not have been discharged as fit for duty had he remained a mute.[10] His inability to talk loudly,
Kennedy argues, was a psychological reaction to the gassing rather than a lasting toxic effect of the gas.[11] That
reaction, and Christie's exaggeration of the effects of the attack, stemmed from an underlying personality disorder
that caused him to exaggerate or feign illness as a ploy to get attention and sympathy.[12]
Impotence was a lifelong problem for Christie; his first attempts at sex were failures, branding him throughout
adolescence as "Reggie-No-Dick" and "Can't-Do-It-Christie".[13] His difficulties with sex remained throughout his
life, and most of the time he could only perform with prostitutes.[14] On 10 May 1920 Christie married Ethel
Simpson Waddington from Sheffield, at Halifax Register Office, but his problems with impotence remained, and he
continued to frequent prostitutes.[15] The couple moved to Sheffield, but separated after four years of marriage.
Christie moved to London, and Ethel remained in Sheffield with her relatives.[16]
Early criminal career

During the decade following his marriage to Ethel, Christie received many convictions for petty criminal offences.
His first was for stealing postal orders while working as a postman, for which he received three months'
imprisonment on 12 April 1921.[17] In January 1923, Christie was convicted of obtaining money on false pretences
and violent conduct, for which he was bound over and put on 12 months' probation respectively.[18] He committed
two further crimes of larceny in 1924 and received consecutive sentences of three and six months' imprisonment
from September 1924.[16] In May 1929, he was convicted of assaulting a prostitute with whom he was living in
Battersea and was sentenced to six months' hard labour; Christie had hit her over the head with a cricket bat, which
the magistrate described as a "murderous attack".[16] Finally, he was convicted of stealing a car from a priest who
had befriended him, and was imprisoned for three months in late 1933.[19]
Christie and Ethel were reconciled after his release from prison, but although Christie was able to end his course of
petty crime, he continued to seek out prostitutes.[20] In December 1938, Christie and his wife moved into the
ground-floor flat of 10 Rillington Place in Notting Hill, a rather run-down area. The house was a three-storey brick
terrace; the ground and first floors contained a bedroom, living room and kitchen but the second-floor flat had no
kitchen. Living conditions were "squalid"—the building's occupants had just one outside lavatory to share, and none
of the flats had a bathroom.[21] The street was close to an above-ground section of the Metropolitan line (now the
Hammersmith & City and Circle lines), and the train noise would have been "deafening" for the occupants of
10 Rillington Place.[20]
On the outbreak of the Second World War Christie applied to join the Special Constabulary, and was accepted
despite his criminal record, as the authorities failed to check his background.[22] He was assigned to the Harrow
Road police station, where he met a woman with whom he began an affair. Their relationship lasted until mid-1943,
when the woman's husband, a serving soldier, returned from the war. Having learned of the affair, he went to the
house where his wife was living, discovered Christie there, and assaulted him.[23]
Murders
First murders
The first person Christie admitted to killing was Ruth Fuerst, an Austrian-born munitions worker and part-time
prostitute.[24] Christie claimed to have met Fuerst either while she was soliciting clients or in a snack bar in
Ladbroke Grove. Without warning, he strangled her during sex at Rillington Place in August 1943. He buried
Fuerst's body in his residence's backyard after initially hiding it beneath the floorboards of his front living room.
Shortly after the murder, at the end of 1943, Christie resigned as a Special Constable. The emotional conflict of
remaining a policeman after having committed a murder may have prompted his decision.[25] In 1944 Christie found
new employment as a clerk at a radio factory. There, he met his second victim, co-worker Muriel Amelia Eady. In
October 1944, he invited Eady back to his flat with the promise that he had concocted a "special mixture" that could
cure her bronchitis.[26] Eady was to inhale the mixture from a jar with a tube inserted in the top. The mixture in fact
was Friar's Balsam, which Christie used to disguise the smell of domestic gas. Once Eady was seated breathing the
mixture from the tube with her back turned, Christie inserted a second tube into the jar connected to a gas tap.[26] As
Eady continued breathing, she inhaled the domestic gas, which soon rendered her unconscious—domestic gas in the
1940s was coal gas, which has a carbon monoxide content of 15%.[27] Once Eady was unconscious, Christie raped
and then strangled her, before burying her alongside Fuerst's body in the back garden.[28]
Later murders
In Easter 1948, Timothy Evans and his wife, Beryl, moved into the top
floor flat at Rillington Place. Beryl gave birth to their daughter,
Geraldine, in October 1948. In late 1949, Evans informed police that
his wife was dead.[29] A police search of 10 Rillington Place revealed
the dead bodies of Geraldine and Beryl Evans in an outside
wash-house. Beryl's body had also been wrapped twice over in a
blanket and then table cloth. The autopsy revealed that both had been
strangled with a ligature, and that Beryl Evans had been physically
assaulted before her death.[30] Evans at first alleged that Christie had
killed his wife in a botched abortion operation. Later, under police
questioning, he confessed to murdering Geraldine and Beryl
himself.[31] After he was charged with their deaths, Evans withdrew
his confession and again accused Christie of being the murderer, this
time of both his wife and daughter. On 11 January 1950, Evans was put
on trial for the murder of his daughter, the prosecution having decided
not to pursue a second charge of murdering his wife.[32] Christie was a
principal witness for the Crown and gave evidence denying Evans's
accusations.[33] The jury found Evans guilty and after an appeal on 20
February had failed, Evans was hanged on 9 March 1950.[34] Rear view of 10 Rillington Place, showing the
backyard where Christie buried the bodies of
Ruth Fuerst and Muriel Eady. The wash-house
Nearly three years passed without major incident for Christie after
where the bodies of Beryl and Geraldine Evans
Evans's trial. Christie lost his job at the Post Office Savings Bank were found is the building with the light-coloured
because his criminal past had been disclosed in the trial, but he found roof situated farthest from the main house.
alternative employment as a clerk with the British Road Services at
their Shepherd's Bush depot.[35] At the same time, new tenants arrived to fill the vacant first and second-floor rooms
in 10 Rillington Place. The tenants were black immigrants from the West Indies, which horrified the Christies, who
regarded their neighbours as inferior and despised living with them.[36] Tensions between the new tenants and the
Christies came to a head when Ethel Christie prosecuted one of her neighbours for assault.[37] Christie successfully
negotiated with the Poor Man's Lawyer Centre to continue to have exclusive use of the back garden, ostensibly to
have space between him and his neighbours, but arguably to prevent anyone from stumbling upon the remains
visible there.[36] [38]
On the morning of 14 December 1952, Christie strangled Ethel in bed. She had last been seen in public two days
earlier.[39] Christie invented several stories to explain his wife's disappearance, and prevent the possibility of further
inquiries being made. In reply to a letter from relatives in Sheffield, he wrote that Ethel had rheumatism and could
not write herself; to one neighbour, he explained that she was visiting her relatives in Sheffield; to another, he said
that she had gone to Birmingham.[40] Christie had resigned from his job on 6 December and had been unemployed
since then. To support himself, Christie sold Ethel's wedding ring, watch, and furniture. Shortly afterwards, he
forged his wife's signature and emptied her bank account.[41]
Between 19 January and 6 March 1953, Christie murdered three more women whom he had invited back to
10 Rillington Place: Kathleen Maloney, Rita Nelson, and Hectorina Maclennan. Maloney was a prostitute from the
Ladbroke Grove area. Nelson was from Belfast and was visiting her sister in Ladbroke Grove when she met
Christie.[42] Christie first met Maclennan, who was living in London with her boyfriend, Alex Baker, in a café. All
three met on several occasions after this, and Christie let Maclennan and Baker stay at Rillington Place while they
were looking for accommodation.[43] On another occasion, Christie met Maclennan on her own and persuaded her to
come back to his flat where he murdered her. Later, he convinced Baker, who came to Rillington Place looking for
her, that he had not seen Maclennan. Christie kept up the pretence for several days, meeting Baker regularly to see if
he had news of her whereabouts and to help him search for her.[44]
For the murders of his final three victims, Christie modified the gassing technique he had first used on Muriel Eady;
he simply used a rubber tube connected to the gas pipe in the kitchen which he kept closed off with a bulldog clip.[45]
He seated his victims in the kitchen, released the clip on the tube, and let gas leak into the room. The Brabin Report
pointed out that Christie's explanation of his gassing technique was not satisfactory because he would have been
overpowered by the gas as well. Nevertheless, it was established that all three victims had been exposed to carbon
monoxide.[46] The gas made his victims drowsy, after which Christie strangled them with a length of rope.[45]
As with Eady, Christie raped his last three victims while they were unconscious and continued to do so as they died.
When this aspect of his crimes was publicly revealed, Christie quickly gained a reputation for being a
necrophiliac.[47] One commentator, however, has cautioned against categorising Christie as such; according to the
accounts Christie gave to the police, he did not engage sexually with any of his victims exclusively after death.[48]
After he murdered each of his final victims, he hid their bodies in a small alcove behind the back kitchen wall, which
was covered over with wallpaper.[49] Christie wrapped his naked victims' bodies in blankets, similar to the way in
which Beryl Evans's body had been wrapped.[45] [50]
Arrest
Christie moved out of 10 Rillington Place on 20 March 1953,[51] after fraudulently sub-letting his flat to a couple
from whom he took £7.13s.0d (£7.65p or about £159 as of 2010[52] ). The landlord visited that same evening and,
finding the couple there instead of Christie, demanded that they leave first thing next morning.[44] The landlord then
allowed the tenant of the top floor flat, Beresford Brown, to use Christie's kitchen. On 24 March, Brown discovered
the kitchen alcove when he attempted to insert brackets into the wall to hold a wireless set. Peeling back the
wallpaper, Brown saw the bodies of Maloney, Nelson, and Maclennan. After getting confirmation from another
tenant in 10 Rillington Place that they were dead bodies, Brown informed the police and a citywide search for
Christie began.
After he left Rillington Place, Christie went to a Rowton House in King's Cross, where he booked a room for seven
nights under his real name and address. He stayed for only four nights, leaving on 24 March when news of the
discovery at his flat broke,[53] after which he wandered around London, spending much of his time in cafés.[53] On
the morning of 31 March Christie was arrested on the Embankment by Putney Bridge after being challenged about
his identity by a police officer; all he had in his possession were some coins and an old newspaper clipping about the
remand of Timothy Evans.[54]
Conviction and execution

While in custody, Christie confessed to six murders: the three women found in the kitchen alcove, his wife, and the
two women buried in the back garden. He also admitted being responsible for the murder of Beryl Evans, which
Timothy Evans had originally been charged with during the police investigation in 1949, although he never admitted
to killing Geraldine Evans.[55]
Christie was tried only for the murder of his wife Ethel. His trial began on 22 June 1953, in the same court in which
Evans had been tried three years earlier.[56] Christie pleaded insanity and claimed to have a poor memory of the
events.[57] The jury rejected the plea, and after deliberating for 85 minutes found Christie guilty.[58] Christie did not
appeal his conviction, and on 15 July 1953 he was hanged at Pentonville Prison by Albert Pierrepoint, who had also
hanged Evans.[59]
Controversy and the pardon of Timothy Evans

After Christie's conviction, there was substantial controversy concerning the earlier trial of Evans, who had been
convicted mainly on the evidence of a serial killer living in the same property in which Evans had allegedly carried
out his crimes.[60] Christie confessed to Beryl Evans's murder and although he neither confessed to, nor was charged
with, Geraldine Evans's murder, he was considered guilty of both murders by many at the time.[61] This, in turn, cast
doubt on the fairness of Evans's trial and raised the possibility that an innocent person had been hanged.[61]
The controversy prompted the then Home Secretary, David Maxwell-Fyfe, to commission an inquiry led by John
Scott Henderson, QC, the Recorder of Portsmouth, to determine whether Evans had been innocent of his crimes and
if a miscarriage of justice had occurred. Scott Henderson interviewed Christie before his execution as well as another
twenty witnesses who had been involved in either of the police investigations. He concluded that Evans was in fact
guilty of both murders and that Christie's confessions to the murder of Beryl Evans were unreliable and made in the
context of furthering his own defence that he was insane.[62]
This did not end the matter, as questions continued to be raised in Parliament concerning Evans's innocence,[63]
along with newspaper campaigns and books being published making similar claims.[64] The Scott Henderson Inquiry
was criticised for being held over too short a time period (one week) and for being prejudiced against the possibility
that Evans was innocent.[65] [66] This controversy, along with the unusual coincidence that two stranglers would have
been living in the same property at the same time if Evans and Christie had both been guilty, kept alive the issue that
a miscarriage of justice had taken place in Evans's trial.[67]
This uncertainty led to a second inquiry, chaired by High Court judge, Sir Daniel Brabin, which was conducted over
the winter of 1965–66. Brabin re-examined much of the evidence from both cases and evaluated some of the
arguments for Evans's innocence. His conclusions were that it was "more probable than not" that Evans had killed
his wife but not his daughter Geraldine, for whose death Christie was responsible. Christie's likely motive was that
her continued presence would have drawn attention to Beryl's disappearance.[68] Brabin also noted, however, that the
uncertainty involved in the case would have prevented a jury from being satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of
Evans's guilt had he been re-tried.[69] These conclusions were used by the Home Secretary, Roy Jenkins, to
recommend a posthumous pardon for Timothy Evans, which was granted, as Evans had been tried on and executed
for the murder of his daughter.[70] [71] Jenkins announced the granting of Evans's pardon to the House of Commons
on 18 October 1966.[71] It allowed authorities to return Evans's remains to his family, who had him reburied in a
private grave.[70] Even so, Evans remained implicated in the murder of his wife according to Justice Brabin's
findings.
There was already debate in the United Kingdom over the continued use of the death penalty in the legal system. The
controversy generated by Evans's case, along with a number of other controversial cases from the same time,
contributed to the 1965 suspension, and later abolition, of capital punishment in the United Kingdom.[4]
Later developments
In 1954, the year after Christie's execution, Rillington Place was renamed Ruston Close, but number 10 continued in
multiple occupation. The three families living there in 1970 refused to move out for the shooting of the 1971 film 10
Rillington Place, which was therefore set in the empty number 7. Richard Attenborough, who played Christie in the
film, spoke of his reluctance to accept the role: "I do not like playing the part, but I accepted it at once without seeing
the script. I have never felt so totally involved in any part as this. It is a most devastating statement on capital
punishment."[72]
In January 2003, the Home Office awarded Timothy Evans's half-sister, Mary Westlake, and his sister, Eileen
Ashby, ex-gratia payments as compensation for the miscarriage of justice in Timothy Evans's trial. The independent
assessor for the Home Office, Lord Brennan QC, accepted that "the conviction and execution of Timothy Evans for
the murder of his child was wrongful and a miscarriage of justice" and that "there is no evidence to implicate
Timothy Evans in the murder of his wife. She was most probably murdered by Christie."[71] Lord Brennan believed
that the Brabin Report's conclusion that Evans probably murdered his wife should be rejected given Christie's
confessions and conviction.[71]
Other murders
Based on the pubic hair that Christie collected from his victims, it has been speculated that he was responsible for
more murders than those carried out at 10 Rillington Place. Christie claimed that the four different clumps of hair in
his collection came from his wife and the three bodies discovered in the kitchen alcove, but only one matched the
hair type on those bodies, Ethel Christie's. Even if two of the others had come from the bodies of Fuerst and Eady,
which had by then decomposed into skeletons,[73] there was still one remaining clump of hair unaccounted for—it
could not have come from Beryl Evans, as no pubic hair had been removed from her body.[74]
Writing in 1978, Professor Keith Simpson, one of the pathologists involved in the forensic examination of Christie's
victims, had this to say about the pubic hair collection:
It seems odd that Christie should have said hair came from the bodies in the alcove if in fact it had come from
those now reduced to skeletons; not very likely that in his last four murders the only trophy he took was from
the one woman with whom he did not have peri-mortal sexual intercourse; and even more odd that one of his
trophies had definitely not come from any of the unfortunate women known to have been involved.[73]
References
• Brabin, Daniel (1999). Rillington Place. London: The Stationery Office. ISBN 0-11-702417-1.
• Eddowes, John (1995). The Two Killers of Rillington Place. London: Warner Books. ISBN 0751512850.
• Eddowes, Michael (1955). The Man On Your Conscience. London: Cassell & Co.
• Kennedy, Ludovic (1961). Ten Rillington Place. London: Victor Gollancz.
• Marston, Edward (2007). John Christie. Surrey: The National Archives. ISBN 978-1-905615-16-2.
• Simpson, Keith (1978). Forty Years of Murder: An Autobiography. London: Harrap. ISBN 024553198X.
Further reading
• Camps, F. E. (1953). Medical and Scientific Investigations in the Christie Case. Medical Publications.
• Furneaux, Rupert (1961). The Two Stranglers of Rillington Place: On John Reginald Halliday Christie and
Timothy John Evans. Panther Books.
• Jesse, F. Tennyson (1957). The Trials of Timothy John Evans and John Reginald Halliday Christie. Notable
Trials series, William Hodge.
• Maxwell, Ronald (1953). The Christie Case. Gaywood Press.
External links
• Crime Library article [75]
• List of documents relating to Christie and Evans held in the National Archives [76]
• Murder UK – John Reginald Halliday Christie [77]
• Website examining the location of 10 Rillington Place in modern-day London and providing historical photos of
the site, as well as a summary of Christie's murders [78]
• Bartle Road/Rillington Place location in Ladbroke Grove (Google) [79]
References
[1] Eddowes, J., The Two Killers of Rillington Place, p. 4.
[2] "Documents-10 Rillington Place" (http:/ / www. 10-rillington-place. co. uk/ html/ documents. html). 10-rillington-place.co.uk. 2009-10. .
Retrieved 2010-03-25. A certified copy of Christie's birth certificate reveals he was born in 1899 and not 1898 as reported by some sources.
[3] Brabin, Rillington Place, p. 269.
[4] Marston, John Christie, p. 108.
[5] Kennedy, Ten Rillington Place, pp. 23–24.
[6] Kennedy, Ten Rillington Place, p. 24.
[9] Kennedy, Ten Rillington Place, p. 23 and p. 26.
[14] Kennedy (p. 34) reports that even with his wife, Christie's sexual activity was sporadic. He says that because prostitutes offered a service,
they were undemanding and did not become emotionally involved with their clients, which could appease sexually dysfunctional people such
as Christie.
[17] Kennedy,Ten Rillington Place, p. 35.
[19] Kennedy,Ten Rillington Place, pp. 36–37.
[22] Kennedy,Ten Rillington Place, pp. 40–41; the police were apparently unable to check applicants' backgrounds because of the substantial
influx of new recruits during the war.
[27] Eddowes, J., The Two Killers of Rillington Place, pp. 8–9.
[28] Kennedy, Ten Rillington Place, p. 48
[30] Brabin, Rillington Place, pp. 56–60.
[43] Marston, John Christie, pp. 76–77.
[46] Brabin, Rillington Place, pp. 220–221.
[49] "Plan of 10 Rillington Place showing position of the bodies", Brabin, Rillington Place, p. x.
[50] Eddowes, M., The Man On Your Conscience, pp. 94–95.
[52] See template:inflation for how this figure was calculated.
[54] Eddowes, J., The Two Killers of Rillington Place, p. 90

[60] See for instance Marston's summary of Geoffrey Bing's, MP, criticism of the trial, p. 100: "Bing pointed out that Evans's guilt depended on
two incredible coincidences. The first was that two murderers, living in the same house but acting independently, strangled women... The
second was as extraordinary as the first: that Evans accused the one man in London who was strangling women in the identical way that he,
Evans, had strangled his wife and child."
[61] Eddowes, J., The Two Killers of Rillington Place, pp. xiv–xviii details the pervasiveness of the view that Evans was innocent and the
subsequent campaign undertaken to overturn his conviction.
[62] Henderson, John Scott (1953). "Report By Mr. J. Scott Henderson, Q.C., Presented by the Secretary of State for the Home Department to
Parliament", reprinted in Kennedy, Ten Rillington Place, pp. 249–297.
[63] Eddowes, J., The Two Killers of Rillington Place, pp. 98–100
[64] Marston, John Christie, pp. 104–105 lists Michael Eddowes's The Man On Your Conscience, F. Tennyson Jesse's The Trials of Timothy
John Evans and John Reginald Halliday Christie and Kennedy's own Ten Rillington Place as being particularly instrumental in keeping the
issue of the miscarriage of justice alive.
[65] Marston, John Christie, p. 96, pp. 99–100.
[67] Eddowes, J., The Two Killers of Rillington Place, p. xvi considers Kennedy's Ten Rillington Place and a newspaper campaign run by the
editor of the Northern Echo as being effective in maintaining the view that Evans was innocent after the Scott Henderson Inquiry.
[71] "Mary Westlake v Criminal Cases Review Commission" (http:/ / www. bailii. org/ cgi-bin/ markup. cgi?doc=/ ew/ cases/ EWHC/ Admin/
2004/ 2779. html& query=mary+ westlake& method=boolean). England and Wales High Court (Administrative Court) Decisions. BAILII. 17
November 2004. . Retrieved 22 September 2009. It includes a segment from the Hansard transcript of Jenkins's decision to recommend a
pardon in the House of Commons.
[72] "Christie's ghost returns" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 842/ 399/ 60784594w16/ purl=rc1_TTDA_0_CS84243122&
dyn=3!xrn_4_0_CS84243122& hst_1?sw_aep=mclib) (subscription required), The Times (57872): 5, 18 May 1970, , retrieved 2009-04-18.
[73] Simpson, Forty Years of Murder: An Autobiography, p. 206.
[74] Simpson, Forty Years of Murder: An Autobiography, pp. 198–200.
[75] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ history/ christie/ index_1. html
[76] http:/ / yourarchives. nationalarchives. gov. uk/ index. php?title=John_Christie_/ _Timothy_Evans_Case
[77] http:/ / www. murderuk. com/ serial_john_christie. html
[78] http:/ / www. 10-rillington-place. co. uk
[79] http:/ / maps. google. co. uk/ maps?ie=UTF8& oe=UTF-8& hl=en& q=& ll=51. 515847,-0. 21419& spn=0. 006236,0. 019741& t=h&
z=16& om=1
John Duffy and David Mulcahy

John Duffy and David Mulcahy (born 1959) are two British rapists and serial killers who together attacked
numerous women at railway stations in the south of England through the 1980s. They are known as the Railway
Rapists and the Railway Killers.
John Duffy and David Mulcahy
Mug Shots
Birth name: John Francis Duffy

David Mulcahy
Also known as: The Railway Killers

The Railway Rapists
Born: 1959
London, England, United Kingdom
Killings
Span of killings: 29 December 1985–18 May 1986
Date apprehended: 7 November 1986 (J.D.)

1997 (D.M.)
The first attacks

In 1982 a woman (KJ) was raped by two men near Hampstead station and subsequently eighteen more were attacked
over the next year. More occurred through 1984 and then three were raped on the same night in 1985 in Hendon.
Police set up an urgent workshop to try to find the perpetrators, called Operation Hart.
The name of Duffy, a martial arts instructor, was touted as a suspect among thousands of other names as he was on
the sex offenders register following conviction for the rape of his wife. Rope found in his parents house linked him
to the second murder victim. Mulcahy was also questioned due to his close friendship with Duffy but victims were
still traumatised and unable to pick him out of an identity parade. Mulcahy was released for lack of evidence.
The switch to murder

On 29 December 1985, Alison Day, 19, was dragged off a train at Hackney Wick station by Duffy and Mulcahy and
repeatedly raped. She was then strangled with a piece of string.
Police further stepped up their search for the attacker who had been coined by the press as the Railway Rapist. The
death of Alison Day changed this moniker to the Railway Killer, a tag reinforced by the rape and murder of
15-year-old Maartje Tamboezer in West Horsley on 17 April 1986. As well as rape and strangulation, Maartje's body
was set on fire. A month later on 18 May 1985, local TV presenter Anne Locke, 29, was abducted and murdered as
she dismounted a train in Brookmans Park, Hertfordshire.
New methods
Police brought in a psychologist from the University of Surrey, Dr. David Canter, to help their inquiries. There had
been no previous use of "psychological offender profiling" as it was known, but something fresh was required as
three women had been murdered and numerous more raped, with little progress being made. Canter examined the
details of each crime and built up a profile of the attacker's personality, habits and traits. While this continued,
another attack took place as a 14-year-old girl was raped in a park (David Canter was a psychologist working in the
field of geographical psychology at the time). This enquiry led him to set up Investigative Psychology in which he
has become an acknowledged expert in the field.
The breakthrough
As well as working together Duffy had started to rape alone and he was arrested while following a woman in a
secluded park, he was questioned also about the spate of rapes and murders, and the next day charged on all counts.
Police knew he had not committed the offences alone, but Duffy was not forthcoming about his accomplice.
Guilty
Duffy went on trial in February 1988 and was convicted of two murders and four rapes, although he was acquitted of
raping and killing Anne Locke. He was given a minimum tariff of 30 years by the judge, later extended to a whole
life tariff by the Home Secretary. A European Court of Human Rights ruling later removed the right of politicians to
reset sentence tariffs, and so Duffy's stay in prison was reverted to the original 30 years. He will be in prison until at
least 2018 and the age of 59.
Much was made of the psychological profile constructed by Canter after the trial, as Duffy fitted 13 of the 17
observations made about the attacker's lifestyle and habits. Such profiling became immediately commonplace in
policing thereafter.
The accomplice is found

Following his conviction, Duffy revealed to a forensic psychologist what the police knew already - that he had not
attacked the women alone. However, he chose to reveal no more until 1997 when he implicated Mulcahy, a lifelong
friend with whom Duffy had been inseparable since their days together at school in Haverstock, North London.
Duffy also admitted his involvement in the attack on Anne Locke, although couldn't be re-tried for this under the
double jeopardy rule.
However, Mulcahy - a married father of four - could still be implicated and following Duffy's claims, he was tracked
for several months by police prior to his arrest and DNA-tests (which were not yet in use during the original
investigation) also proved his involvement conclusively. In 2000, Duffy appeared at the Old Bailey as a witness
against Mulcahy and gave detailed evidence over 14 days. It was the first time a highest-category prisoner had ever
given evidence against an accomplice.
Mulcahy emerged through the trial from prosecution evidence as the chief perpetrator and the first to decide that
sexual stimulation wasn't enough of a thrill any more, so turning to murder.
Mulcahy was convicted of three murders and seven rapes and handed 3 life sentences, with a 30-year
recommendation. He was not later given a whole life tariff, as the ruling barring politically-set tariffs had been made
by the time his case was due for review.
Duffy was convicted of 17 more rapes and received a further 12 years. Neither man is expected to ever be released
from prison alive. Police suspect them of countless other sex attacks, some dating back to the mid-1970s, while
Mulcahy is also suspected of attacks which took place after Duffy was jailed.
There has been occasional publicity for the pairing since Mulcahy's imprisonment, including newspaper claims that
Duffy was paid 20,000 pounds in return for information about his accomplice; and that Mulcahy has become a feared
loan shark from his prison cell.
In 2001, a television movie Witness of Truth: The Railway Murders was released, starring Huw Higginson and
Nicholas Marchie as Duffy and Mulcahy, respectively.
Further reading
• Adler, Joanna R. Forensic Psychology: Concepts, Debates, and Practice. Willan Publishing, 2004. ISBN
1-84392-009-3
• Harrower, Julie. Crime: Psychology in Practice. Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0340844973
• Wilson, Colin and Damon Wilson Written in Blood: A History of Forensic Detection. New York: Carroll & Graf
Publishers, 2003. ISBN 0-7867-1266-X
External links
• BBC News: 'Railway rapist' jailed for more crimes [1]
• BBC News: Life for 'depraved' killer [2]
• David Mulcahy: A Case For Innocence [3]
• Murder in the UK: John Duffy, The Railway Rapist - Killer & David Mulcahy [4]
• MurderersDatabase.co.uk - John Duffy and David Mulcahy [5]
• Serial Killer Hit List - Part IV [6]
• John Duffy [7] at Biography.com
References
[3] http:/ / www. davidmulcahy. com/ Facts. html
[4] http:/ / www. murderuk. com/ serial_john_duffy_david_mulcahy. html
[5] http:/ / web. ukonline. co. uk/ ruth. buddell/ duffy. htm
[6] http:/ / www. mayhem. net/ Crime/ serial4. html
[7] http:/ / www. thebiographychannel. co. uk/ biography_home/ 535:0/ John_Duffy. htm
John George Haigh

John George Haigh
Police photograph of Haigh

Birth name: John George Haigh
Also known as: The Acid Bath Murderer

The Vampire Killer
The Vampire of London
Born: 24 July 1909

Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, UK
Died: 10 August 1949 (aged 40)

Wandsworth Prison, Wandsworth, England, UK
Cause of death: Execution by hanging
Killings
Number of victims: 6 or 9
Country: England
John George Haigh (24 July 1909 – 10 August 1949), commonly known as the "Acid Bath Murderer", was an
English serial killer during the 1940s. He was convicted of the murders of six people, although he claimed to have
killed a total of nine, dissolving their bodies in concentrated sulphuric acid before forging papers in order to sell their
possessions and collect substantial sums of money. During the investigation, it became apparent that Haigh was
using the acid to destroy victims' bodies because he misunderstood the term corpus delicti, thinking that if victims'
bodies could not be found, then a murder conviction would not be possible. The substantial forensic evidence beyond
the absence of his victims' bodies was sufficient for him to be convicted for the murders and subsequently
executed.[1]
Early life
Haigh was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire,[2] [3] [4] and grew up in the village of Outwood, West Yorkshire. His
parents, John and Emily, were members of the Plymouth Brethren. He was confined to living within a 10 ft (3 m)
fence that his father put up around their garden to lock out the outside world. Haigh would later claim he suffered
from recurring religious nightmares in his childhood.
Haigh won a scholarship to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield. Claims were made that a desk carved
with his name remained at the school (and caretakers would run trips to the cellars to show it to first year pupils), but
they were put aside when a teacher of 30 years at the school said the desk was removed over 20 years before. He
then won another scholarship to Wakefield Cathedral, where he became a choirboy.
After school he was apprenticed to a firm of motor engineers. After a year he left that job, and took jobs in insurance
and advertising. At age 21, he was fired after being suspected of stealing from a cash box. The following year he was
named as a co-respondent in the divorce of Evelyn and racing driver Eddie Hall[5] .
Marriage and imprisonment

On 6 July 1934, Haigh married the 21-year-old Beatrice Hammer. The marriage soon fell apart. The same year
Haigh was jailed for fraud. Betty gave birth while he was in prison but she gave the baby up for adoption and left
Haigh.
He then moved to London in 1936, and became chauffeur to William McSwan, the wealthy owner of an amusement
park. Following that he became a bogus solicitor and received a four-year jail sentence for fraud. Haigh was released
just after the start of World War II.
While in prison he dreamed up what he considered the perfect murder of being able to destroy the body by
dissolving it with sulphuric acid. He experimented with mice[6] and found it took only 30 minutes for the body to
disappear.[7]
The "Acid Bath" murders

He was freed in 1944 and became an accountant with an engineering firm. Soon after, by chance, he bumped into
McSwan in the Goat pub in Kensington. McSwan introduced Haigh to his parents, William and Amy, who
mentioned that they had invested in property. On 6 September 1944, McSwan disappeared. Haigh later admitted
hitting him over the head after luring him into a basement at 79 Gloucester Road, London SW7. He then put
McSwan's body into a 40-gallon drum and tipped concentrated sulphuric acid on to it. Two days later he returned to
find the body had become sludge, which he poured down a manhole.
He told McSwan's parents, William and Amy, that their son had fled to Scotland to avoid being called up for military
service. Haigh then took over McSwan's house and when William and Amy became curious as to why their son had
not returned as the war was coming to an end, he murdered them too - on 2 July 1945, he lured them to Gloucester
Road and disposed of them.
Haigh stole William McSwan's pension cheques, sold their properties — stealing about £8,000 (£256 thousand when
adjusted for inflation) — and moved into the Onslow Court Hotel in Kensington. By the summer of 1947 Haigh, a
gambler, was running short of money. He found another couple to kill and rob: Dr Archibald Henderson and his wife
Rose, whom he met after purporting to show interest in a house they were selling.
He rented a small workshop at 2 Leopold Road, Crawley, West Sussex, and moved acid and drums there from
Gloucester Road. On 12 February 1948, he drove Henderson to Crawley, on the pretext of showing him an
invention. When they arrived Haigh shot Henderson in the head with a revolver he had earlier stolen from the
doctor’s house. He then lured Mrs Henderson to the workshop, claiming her husband had fallen ill, and shot her also.
After disposing of the Hendersons bodies in oil drums filled with acid, he forged a letter from them and sold all of
their possessions (except their dog, which he kept) for £8,000. This 1948 amount is the equivalent of £216 thousand
today.
Last victim and capture

Haigh's next and last victim was Olive Durand-Deacon, 69, a widow and fellow resident at the Onslow Court Hotel.
She mentioned to Haigh, by then calling himself an engineer, an idea that she had for artificial fingernails. He invited
her down to the Crawley workshop (number 2 Leopold Road) on 18 February 1949, and once inside he shot her in
the back of the head, stripped her of her valuables, including a Persian lamb coat, and put her into the acid bath. Two
days later Durand-Deacon’s friend, Constance Lane, reported her missing.
Detectives soon discovered Haigh’s record of theft and fraud and searched the workshop. Police not only found
Haigh’s attaché case containing a dry cleaner’s receipt for Mrs. Durand-Deacon’s coat, but also papers referring to
the Hendersons and McSwans. Further investigation of the sludge at the workshop by the pathologist Keith Simpson
revealed three human gallstones and part of a denture which was later identified by Mrs Durand-Deacon's dentist
during the trial and conviction.
Questioned by Detective Inspector Albert Webb, Haigh asked him "Tell me, frankly, what are the chances of
anybody being released from Broadmoor?". The inspector said he could not discuss that sort of thing, so Haigh
replied "Well, if I told you the truth, you would not believe me. It sounds too fantastic to believe".
Haigh then confessed that he had not only killed Durand-Deacon, the McSwans and Hendersons, but also three other
people: a young man called Max, a girl from Eastbourne, and a woman from Hammersmith.
Trial and execution

After arrest, Haigh remained in custody in Cell 2 of Horsham Police Station [8] when it was in Barttelot Road. He
was charged with murder at the nearby courthouse in what is now known as the Old Town Hall [9].
The Attorney-General, Sir Hartley Shawcross KC, (later Lord Shawcross) led for the prosecution at Lewes Assizes,
and urged the jury to reject Haigh’s defence of insanity because he had acted with malice aforethought.
Sir David Maxwell Fyfe KC, defending, called many witnesses to attest to Haigh’s mental state, including Dr Henry
Yellowlees who claimed Haigh had a paranoid constitution, adding: "The absolute callous, cheerful, bland and
almost friendly indifference of the accused to the crimes which he freely admits having committed is unique in my
experience."
It took only minutes for the jury to find Haigh guilty. Mr Justice Travers Humphreys sentenced him to death.
It was reported that Haigh, in the condemned cell at Wandsworth Prison, asked one of his gaolers, Jack Morwood,
whether it would be possible to have a trial run of his hanging so everything would run smoothly. It is likely that his
request went no further, or, if it did, the request was denied. Haigh was led to the gallows and hanged by executioner
Albert Pierrepoint on 10 August 1949.
The case of John George Haigh was one of the post-1945 cases which gained much media coverage at the time.
Along with the case of Neville Heath, it attracted a great deal of coverage in the newspapers even though Haigh's
guilt (as with Heath) was not questioned. In the case of Haigh, it was also the method of disposal which has given
him his place in criminal history.
Haigh's confirmed victims

• William Donald McSwan, 9 September 1944
• Donald McSwan, 2 July 1945
• Amy McSwan, 2 July 1945
• Archibald Henderson, 12 February 1948
• Rosalie Henderson, 12 February 1948
• Olive Henrietta Robarts Durand-Deacon, 18 February 1949
Television and radio dramatisations

• John George Haigh was portrayed by Martin Clunes in the ITV drama A is for Acid [10].
• The Haigh case was dramatised on the BBC Radio series The Black Museum in 1952 under the title of The Jar of
Acid.
• John George Haigh is frequently mentioned in the 2009 BBC television series Psychoville as one of David
Sowerbutt's favourite serial killers.
• Haigh appears as a character in the Ps2 game, Clock Tower 3.
See also
• Murder conviction without a body
References
[1] Ramsland, K. (2006). John George Haigh: a malingerer's legacy in The Forensic Examiner Vol 15 Iss 4
[2] (http:/ / www. newcriminologist. com/ article. asp?nid=1120)
[3] (http:/ / usersites. horrorfind. com/ home/ horror/ bedlambound/ library/ haigh. html)
[4] (http:/ / www. lincolnshirelife. co. uk/ pdfs/ backpdfs/ 2008february/ talk. pdf)
[5] http:/ / www. nationalarchives. gov. uk/ catalogue/ displaycataloguedetails. asp?CATLN=7& CATID=-3149132& FullDetails=True&
Gsm=2008-02-12& j=1
[6] Ambler, Eric (1964). The Ability to Kill. London: Four Square. pp. 14.
[7] James H. Hodge (ed.), Famous Trials 6, Penquin, 1962, 183
[8] http:/ / www. hiddenhorsham. co. uk/ 25/ 25. htm
[9] http:/ / www. hiddenhorsham. co. uk/ 35/ oldtownhall. htm
• The Times, court reports, 9 and 26 March 1949; 29 July 1949; 19 January 1951.
External links
• Clinical vampirism A presentation of 3 cases and a re-evaluation of Haigh, the 'acid-bath murderer' at The South
African Medical Journal, Volume 63, 19 February 1983 (http://196.33.159.102/index.php?path=/1983 VOL
LXIII Jan-Jun/Articles/02 February/)
John Straffen 92
John Straffen
John Straffen
Born: 27 February 1930
Borden Camp, Hampshire
Died: 19 November 2007
Cause of death: Natural causes
Killings
Span of killings: 15 July 1951–29 April 1952
Date apprehended: 9 August 1951
John Thomas Straffen (27 February 1930 – 19 November 2007) was a British serial killer who was the
longest-serving prisoner in British legal history. Straffen killed two young girls in the summer of 1951. He was
found to be unfit to plead and committed to Broadmoor Hospital; during a brief escape in 1952 he killed again. This
time he was convicted of murder. Respited due to his mental state, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment
and he remained in prison until his death more than 50 years later.
Family life
Straffen's father, John Senior, was a soldier in the British Army. He was the third child in the family; his older sister
was regarded as a "high grade mental defective" who died in 1952.[1] Straffen was born at Bordon Camp in
Hampshire where his father was then based, but at the age of two his father was posted abroad and the family spent
six years in India. Returning to Britain in March 1938, Straffen's father took a discharge from the Army and the
family settled in Bath, Somerset.[1]
Certification as a mental defective

In October 1938 Straffen was referred to a Child Guidance Clinic for stealing and truancy. In June 1939 he first
came before a Juvenile Court for stealing a purse from a girl, and was given two years' probation. His probation
officer found that Straffen did not understand the difference between right and wrong, or the meaning of probation.[1]
The family was living in crowded lodgings at the time and Straffen's mother had no time to help, so the probation
officer took the boy to a psychiatrist. As a result, Straffen was certified as a mental defective under the Mental
Deficiency Act 1927.[2] A report was compiled on him in 1940 which gave his Intelligence Quotient as 58 and
placed his mental age at six. From June 1940, the local authority sent him to a residential school for mentally
defective children, St Joseph's School in Sambourne.[3]
Suspected of animal cruelty

Two years later Straffen moved to Besford Court, a senior school. He was noted as a solitary boy who took
correction very badly. In one incident when Straffen was 14, he was strongly suspected of being responsible for
strangling two prize geese owned by one of the officers of the school; however, no proof was found and it was not
noted on his records.[3] At the age of 16 the school authorities undertook a review which found his I.Q. was 64 and
his mental age 9 years 6 months and recommended his discharge.[4]
John Straffen 93
Return to Bath
Accordingly Straffen returned home to Bath in March 1946 where the Medical Officer of Health examined him and
found he still warranted certification under the Mental Deficiency Act. After several short term jobs he found a place
as a machinist in a clothing factory. Early in 1947 Straffen began to go into unoccupied homes and steal small items
to hide them; he never brought them home nor did he give them to others. Straffen had no friends, and began stealing
without being enticed by others.[4]
Arrest for burglary

On 27 July 1947 a 13-year-old girl reported to police that a boy called John had assaulted her by putting his hand
over her mouth and saying "What would you do if I killed you? I have done it before." This incident was not
connected to Straffen until later. Six weeks later, Straffen was found to have strangled five chickens belonging to the
father of a girl with whom he had quarrelled. When arrested Straffen was also under suspicion for burglary, and in
interview cheerfully confessed to it and many other incidents to which he had not been connected. He was remanded
in custody and the Medical Officer of Horfield prison examined him, certifying that he was mentally retarded. On 10
October Straffen was committed to Hortham Colony in Bristol under the Mental Deficiency Act of 1913.[5]
Hortham Colony
Hortham was an "open" colony which specialised in training mentally retarded offenders for resettlement in the
community. As he had been under investigation for burglary, Straffen's certificate stated that he was "not of violent
or dangerous propensities". He was well-behaved at Hortham and kept away from other inmates. As a result, in July
1949 he was transferred to a lower-security agricultural hostel in Winchester. There he did well initially but fell back
into old ways when he stole a bag of walnuts, and was sent back to Hortham in February 1950. In August 1950
Straffen got in trouble with Hortham authorities when he went home without leave, and resisted the police when they
went to recapture him.[6]
Reassessment of mental state

In 1951 Straffen was examined at a Bristol hospital, where electroencephalograph readings showed that he had
suffered "wide and severe damage to the cerebral cortex, probably from an attack of encephalitis in India before the
age of six". By now, however, Straffen was considered sufficiently rehabilitated to be allowed a period of unescorted
home leave. He used the time to get a job at a market garden, which he was allowed to keep; Hortham licensed him
to the care of his mother as the family home was less overcrowded. When Straffen's 21st birthday came, under the
Mental Deficiency Act he had to be reassessed by Hortham, who continued his certificate for a further five years; the
family disputed the assessment and appealed.[7] As a result the Medical Officer of Health for Bath examined Straffen
again on 10 July 1951 and found improvement in mental age to 10; he recommended that Straffen's certificate be
renewed only for six months with a view to discharge at the end.[8]
Murders
According to Letitia Fairfield in the introduction to the "Notable British Trials series" volume about Straffen,
Straffen had a "smouldering hatred" and an "intense resentment" of the police, and blamed them for all his troubles
from the age of eight. On the morning of Straffen's assessment, a young girl named Christine Butcher was murdered.
Fairfield speculates that Straffen saw the press coverage that followed and made the connection that strangling
young girls gave the maximum amount of trouble to the police.[9]
John Straffen 94
Brenda Goddard
On 15 July 1951 Straffen went on a visit to the cinema, on his own. His route took him past 1 Camden Crescent in
Bath, where five-year-old Brenda Goddard lived with her foster parents. According to Straffen's later statement to
the police, he saw Brenda gathering flowers and offered to show her a better place. After lifting Brenda over a fence
into a copse, he strangled her and when she did not scream, bashed her head against a stone. After killing Brenda
Goddard, Straffen did not make any attempt to hide the body and simply went on to the cinema (the film was
'Shockproof') and returned home.[10]
Although Bath police had not suspected Straffen was violent, he was considered a suspect in the murder and was
seen by police on 3 August.[11] Meanwhile the police had visited Straffen's employer to check on his movements;
this resulted in Straffen being dismissed on 31 July.[12] In a later interview with a prison psychiatrist, Straffen said
that he knew he was under suspicion and wanted to annoy the police, because he hated them for shadowing him.[13]
Cicely Batstone
On 8 August Straffen was again at the cinema when he met nine year-old Cicely Batstone. He first took Cicely to a
different cinema to see another film, and then went on the bus to a meadow known as "Tumps" on the outskirts of
Bath. There he strangled her to death.[14] The circumstances of the murder left many witnesses who had seen
Straffen with the girl: the bus conductor recognised Straffen as a former workmate, a courting couple in the meadow
had seen Straffen very closely, and a policeman's wife had also seen the two together. She mentioned it to her
husband; when the alarm was raised the next morning, she guided police to where she had seen the two and the body
of Cicely Batstone was discovered. Her description of the man was enough to immediately identify Straffen as the
suspect.[15]
Arrest and trial for Bath murders

Accordingly the police drove to Straffen's home and arrested him for the murder of Cicely Batstone on the morning
of 9 August. Straffen made a statement admitting he had killed Cicely Batstone and also confessed to the murder of
Brenda Goddard: "The other girl, I did her the same".[16] He was duly charged with murder and remanded in
custody;[17] on 31 August after a two-day hearing at Bath Magistrates' Court Straffen was committed for trial for the
murder of Brenda Goddard.[18]
At Taunton Assize Court, on 17 October 1951, Straffen stood trial for murder before Mr Justice Oliver. However,
the only witness to be heard was Dr. Peter Parkes, medical officer at Horfield Prison, who testified to Straffen's
medical history and stated his conclusion that Straffen was unfit to plead. Oliver commented that "In this country we
do not try people who are insane. You might as well try a baby in arms. If a man cannot understand what is going on,
he cannot be tried." The jury formally returned a verdict that Straffen was insane and unfit to plead.[19]
Broadmoor escape
Straffen was removed to Broadmoor Institution in Berkshire. Broadmoor had originally been termed a criminal
lunatic asylum, but by the Criminal Justice Act 1948 responsibility for it had been transferred to the Ministry of
Health and those committed to it had been renamed patients.[20] Inside Broadmoor, Straffen was given a job as a
cleaner.
On 29 April 1952 Straffen went, with an attendant and another patient, to clean some outbuildings which were close
by the 10-foot-tall external wall. In a small yard immediately adjacent to the wall was a low shed with a sloping roof
which was 8½ feet high at its highest point. In the yard were empty disinfectant tins. Straffen asked his supervisor if
he could shake his duster and on receiving permission went into the yard. Once the other patient had gone back in,
Straffen climbed onto the roof and jumped over the wall. He had already made sure he had his civilian clothes under
his work clothes.[21]
John Straffen 95
Murder of Linda Bowyer

Only 20 minutes after escaping, Straffen came up a private drive in Crowthorne and approached Mrs. Doris Spencer
who was in her garden. He asked her for a drink of water, which she gave him, and then discussed the proximity of
Broadmoor and the likelihood of escapes. After ten minutes he left.[22] An hour and a half later he reached Farley
Hill and at about five o'clock Straffen came to the point where five-year-old Linda Bowyer was riding her bicycle
around the village. Within half an hour Linda Bowyer was dead.[23]
Straffen then begged a cup of tea from another householder, Mrs. Kenyon, who agreed to drive him to the bus stop.
As they were drawing up to the stop, Straffen saw some men in uniform and asked whether they were police; on
learning that they were, he swiftly got out of the car and ran away. Kenyon told the men (who were actually
Broadmoor nurses) of the suspicious behaviour of her passenger and Straffen was recaptured a few minutes later.
Driven in the car on the journey back to Broadmoor, Straffen said "I have finished with crime". The body of Linda
Bowyer was found at dawn the next day.[24]
Police investigation
The police went to Broadmoor to interview Straffen at 8 a.m., arriving before news of the disappearance and murder
of a local child had reached the hospital. The police went to Straffen's room and woke him up, then asking him what
he had done when he was free and whether he had got into mischief. Straffen replied "I did not kill her". The police
inspector told Straffen that no-one had suggested anyone had been killed, and Straffen said "I know what you
policemen are, I know I killed two little children but I did not kill the little girl." The inspector then confirmed that a
girl had been killed near where Straffen was recaptured. Straffen said "I did not kill the little girl on the bicycle."[25]
Straffen then made a long statement, which the police checked. On 1 May Straffen was charged with the murder of
Linda Bowyer, and he appeared before Reading County Magistrates the following day. He was remanded in custody,
and despite the fact of the order committing him to Broadmoor, the Magistrates decided that since they had failed to
hold him he should be remanded to Brixton Prison.[26] The Ministry of Health meanwhile called for a full inquiry
into how Straffen escaped;[27] a group of local residents held a meeting on the same evening as Straffen's court
appearance to call for some system of public warning of an escape.[28] The Ministry of Health inquiry was extended
to a full independent inquiry.[29] A system of warning sirens was set up later in 1952 as a result of the inquiry
recommendations.[30]
Murder trial
When Straffen's murder trial opened on 21 July, he pleaded not guilty, and the Defence opted to leave the question of
his sanity as an issue to be determined by the jury. After the prosecution case (led by the Solicitor-General, Sir
Reginald Manningham-Buller) had opened and called the first witnesses to establish the facts about the murder of
Linda Bowyer, they applied to call additional evidence about the two murders in Bath. This application was resisted
by Straffen's defence as prejudicial, but the Judge ruled the evidence admissible.[31]
On the second day, the judge was late into court and explained that "owing to the alleged conduct of one of your
members" he was compelled to discharge them and start again with a new jury. It turned out that one of the first set
of jurors had gone to a political club in Southsea in the evening and told those present that he was on the jury for the
Straffen case, that Straffen was not guilty, and that one of the prosecution witnesses had murdered Linda Bowyer.[32]
The Judge required the errant juror, William Gladwin, to remain in court throughout the trial, before calling him to
apologise for his "wicked discharge of your duties as a citizen".[33]
The first day's proceedings were repeated before the second jury, followed, as permitted, by evidence of what had
happened in Bath. Straffen's defence called several of those who had seen Straffen in earlier years and gave evidence
of his mental condition. The prosecution then called prison medical officers and psychiatrists to give evidence in
rebuttal. Dr. Thomas Munro, who was a specialist in mental deficiency and had seen Straffen, testified that Straffen
John Straffen 96
had said that to murder was wrong because it was breaking the law and because "it is one of the commandments".
When Munro asked Straffen to name the other commandments, Straffen could only remember four.[34]
Death Sentence
After a retirement of just under an hour, the jury returned with a verdict of guilty, which implicitly declared Straffen
sane. Mr. Justice Cassels sentenced Straffen to death.[35] Straffen appealed, on the grounds that the evidence about
the Bath murders was wrongly admitted, and that his statements on the morning after the murder of Linda Bowyer
were wrongly admitted because they had been made before he was cautioned. Both grounds of the appeal were
dismissed,[36] and Straffen was refused leave to appeal to the House of Lords.[37] 4 September was fixed as the date
for execution of judgment of death.[38] However, on 29 August, it was announced that the Home Secretary David
Maxwell Fyfe had recommended to Queen Elizabeth II that Straffen be reprieved.[39]
Prison
After the reprieve Straffen was moved to Wandsworth Prison. In November 1952 the Home Office denied a rumour
that he was about to be moved to Rampton mental institution.[40] In 1956 Straffen was moved to Horfield Prison in
Bristol, after officers discovered an escape attempt by Wandsworth prisoners who intended to take Straffen with
them as a diversion.[41] The news caused extreme concern in Bristol and a petition demanding his removal was
organised by a local councillor and signed by 12,000 people within weeks.[42]
In August 1958, Straffen was moved to Cardiff Prison when the regime at Horfield Prison was changed to a more
liberal one.[43] However, he was reported to have been transferred back in June 1960.[44]
Isle of Wight
A new 28-cell high security wing at Parkhurst Prison was built and ready for opening early in 1966. The Home
Office pointedly did not deny rumours that Straffen had been secretly transferred there on 31 January 1966.[45] He
was the first to arrive, and was followed by six of the Great Train robbers.[46]
Durham
In May 1968 Straffen was moved to Durham Prison.[47] Placed on the top security E wing, Straffen was joined by
fellow child killer Ian Brady. Crime author Jonathan Goodman wrote that "the shambling lunatic [Straffen] .. is in
prison only because no mental institution is secure enough to guarantee his confinement".[48] Many years later, a
prison officer recalled seeing Straffen "circling, banging the fence every couple of minutes", and that one fellow
officer described Straffen as aloof and hostile: "Never talks unless he has to ask for something. Always on his
own".[49]
Straffen was still there in January 1984 when Kenneth Barlow was released after serving 26 years for murder, at
which point he became the longest serving British prisoner.[50]
Prison term
For most of the time that Straffen was in prison, the Home Secretary had to agree to the release of any life sentence
prisoner; no occupant of the office was ever willing to let Straffen out. In 1994 Michael Howard decided to set up a
select list of about 20 prisoners serving life sentences who must never be released at all, and Straffen's name was said
to be on it.[51] The whole list was published by the News of the World in December 1997 and this report confirmed
that Straffen would indeed spend the rest of his life in prison.[52]
The Sun profiled Straffen's prison life in March 2006, quoting an un-named inmate as saying "He's still lively. He
works as a cleaner in the craft shop and makes tea for the officers. They treat him well, call him by his first name and
often take time to chat with him." The inmate was also reported as saying that other inmates left Straffen alone but
John Straffen 97
that he was instantly recognisable.[53]
Hopes for freedom

With the 50th anniversary of Straffen's imprisonment approaching, in 2001 his solicitors called for his case to be
reopened on the grounds that he had not been fit to stand trial.[54] Investigative journalist Bob Woffinden, who
examined previously confidential records, uncovered that Straffen was reprieved after a majority of doctors who
examined him found that he was 'insane'.[55] Woffinden also doubted Straffen's guilt of the murder of Linda Bowyer,
because Straffen had no fingernails with which to cause injuries seen on Linda Bowyer's body and because some
local witnesses placed the time of the murder after his recapture.[56] However, Straffen's application to the Criminal
Cases Review Commission was turned down in December 2002.[57]
In May 2002 the European Court of Human Rights decided a case brought by a life sentence prisoner which
challenged the authority of the Home Secretary to refuse to release him after the Parole Board recommended he be
freed. The Court decided that politicians should not interfere in life sentences and therefore current practice was
unlawful. It was immediately noted that this meant an opportunity for release for Straffen,[58] who had been in Long
Lartin Prison since 2000.
Death
Straffen died at Frankland Prison in County Durham on 19 November 2007. He was 77 years old and had been in
prison for a British record of 55 years.[59] . This leaves Moors Murderer Ian Brady (who has been in prison since
October 1965 and is now in a mental hospital) as the longest-serving prisoner in Britain.
References
• Fairfield, Letitia; Fullbrook, Eric P., eds. (1954), The Trial of John Thomas Straffen, London: William Hodge,
OCLC 222592555.
External links
• Case details [60] - Examines the possibility that Straffen was not guilty of the third murder
References
[1] Fairfield & Fullbrook 1954, p. 2
[2] Fairfield & Fullbrook 1954, pp. 2–3
[11] "The Trial of John Thomas Straffen", edited by Letitia Fairfield, C.B.E., M.D., and Eric P. Fullbrook (William Hodge, 1954), p. 124
(Evidence of Thomas James Coles).
[12] "The Trial of John Thomas Straffen", edited by Letitia Fairfield, C.B.E., M.D., and Eric P. Fullbrook (William Hodge, 1954), p. 10.
[13] "The Trial of John Thomas Straffen", edited by Letitia Fairfield, C.B.E., M.D., and Eric P. Fullbrook (William Hodge, 1954), p. 168-169
(Evidence of Dr Alexander Leitch).
(Evidence of Albert Foster; statement of John Thomas Straffen).
John Straffen 98
[17] "Man Charged With Girl's Murder", The Times, 11 August 1951, p. 3.
[18] "Alleged Murder Of Two Girls", The Times, 1 September 1951, p. 3. English law at the time did not permit an indictment for more than a
single charge of murder.
[19] "Labourer Found Unfit To Plead", The Times, 18 October 1951, p. 3.
[20] "Report of the Broadmoor Enquiry Committee" (Cmd 8594), paragraph 4.
[22] "The Trial of John Thomas Straffen", edited by Letitia Fairfield, C.B.E., M.D., and Eric P. Fullbrook (William Hodge, 1954), p. 90
(Evidence of Mrs Doris Evelyn Spencer).
[23] "The Trial of John Thomas Straffen", edited by Letitia Fairfield, C.B.E., M.D., and Eric P. Fullbrook (William Hodge, 1954), p. 13-14.
[27] "Inquiry Into Escape From Broadmoor", The Times, 1 May 1952, p. 6.
[28] "Protest Meeting Near Broadmoor", The Times, 3 May 1952, p. 6.
[29] "Further Inquiry On Broadmoor", The Times, 7 May 1952, p. 6.
[30] "Security Measures At Broadmoor", The Times, 17 October 1952, p. 6.
[33] "Straffen Guilty Of Murder", The Times, 26 July 1952.
(Evidence of Dr Thomas Arthur Howard Munro).
[35] "The Trial of John Thomas Straffen", edited by Letitia Fairfield, C.B.E., M.D., and Eric P. Fullbrook (William Hodge, 1954), p. 263.
[37] "Straffen Refused House of Lords Appeal", The Times, 27 August 1952, p. 4.
[38] The Times, 28 August 1952, p. 2.
[39] "Reprieve Recommended for Straffen", The Times, 30 August 1952, p. 4.
[40] "Straffen 'Unlikely to be Moved'", The Times, 3 November 1952, p. 4.
[41] "Parliament", The Times, 20 April 1956, p. 4.
[42] "Film Protests On Straffen Denied", The Times, 25 May 1956, p. 10.
[43] "Straffen Transferred", The Times, 25 August 1958, p. 3.
[44] "Straffen Transferred Report", The Times, 7 June 1960, p. 10.
[45] "Straffen Transferred?", The Times, 2 February 1966, p. 12.
[46] "Train Robbers Have A Car Each In Transfer", The Times, 5 February 1966, p. 8.
[47] "Straffen moved", The Times, 23 May 1968, p. 1.
[48] "The Trial of Ian Brady and Myra Hindley", ed. by Jonathan Goodman (Celebrated Trials Series, David & Charles, 1973), p. 40.
[49] Mitya Underwood, "Lifting the lid on my prison life", Evening Chronicle, 6 August 2007, p. 22.
[50] "Man to be freed after 26 years", The Times, 31 December 1983, p. 2.
[51] Sunday Telegraph, 3 April 1994.
[52] Sara Gaines, "23 never to be freed", News of the World, 7 December 1997, p. 42.
[53] Mike Sullivan, " Life should mean life (http:/ / www. thesun. co. uk/ sol/ homepage/ news/ article42676. ece)", The Sun, 27 March 2006, p.
4.
[54] "Killer jail review", Birmingham Mail, 26 May 2001, p. 9.
[55] Bob Woffinden, "Historic murder case may reopen: Uncovered records could liberate UK's longest serving prisoner", The Guardian, 26
May 2001, p. 14.
[56] Bob Woffinden, "Insane, guilty or neither?", The Guardian Weekend Section, 26 May 2001, p. 34.
[57] "Child-Killer To Die In Prison", Western Daily Press, 3 December 2002.
[58] Dan McDougall, Arthur MacMillan, "Human Rights court rules government must not interfere in life sentences", Scotsman, 29 May 2002, p.
5.
[59] Stratton, Allegra (19 November 2007), Longest-serving UK prisoner dies, aged 77 (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ crime/ article/
0,,2213663,00. html), London: The Guardian, , retrieved 2007-11-19
[60] http:/ / www. innocent. org. uk/ cases/ johnstraffen/
Kenneth Erskine 99
Kenneth Erskine
Kenneth Erskine
Also known as: The Stockwell Strangler
Born: 1962 (age 47–48)

England
Killings
Number of 7-11
victims:
Span of killings: 9 April, 1986–23 July, 1986
Kenneth Erskine (born 1962) is an English serial killer who became known as the Stockwell Strangler.
Crimes
During 1986, Erskine murdered seven elderly people, breaking into their homes and strangling them; most often they
were sexually assaulted. The crimes took place in London.
His first victim was Mrs Eileen Emms (78), of Wandsworth, who died on 9 April 1986. Her death was originally not
believed to have been murder, and it was only established that she had been murdered when a television set was
detected missing from her flat. A post mortem examination revealed that she had been raped and strangled.
His second victim was Mrs Janet Cockett (67), who died on 9 June 1986 after being strangled in her flat on the
Wandsworth housing estate on which she was chairwoman of the tenants association. Erskine's palm print was found
on a window at Mrs Cockett's flat.
On 28 June 1986, Erskine claimed his third and fourth victims (both men) at a residential home in Stockwell. His
victims were Polish pensioners Valentine Gleim (84) and Zbigniew Strabawa (94). Both men were sexually
assaulted and strangled.
Erskine's fifth victim was Mr William Carmen (84), of Islington. He stole cash from Mr Carmen's flat before
molesting him and strangling him to death in an attack on 8 July 1986.
He claimed his sixth victim on 21 July 1986, when he committed a similar fatal attack on 74-year-old Mr William
Downes in a Stockwell bedsit.
The final victim was Mrs Florence Tisdall, an 83-year-old widow who lived at a retirement complex in Fulham. She
was found dead by the caretaker on the morning of 23 July 1986.
Investigation and Trial

A homeless drifter and solvent abuser, Erskine was 24 years old when he committed the crimes, but had the mental
age of a 12-year-old. He was convicted of seven murders.
Police suspected Erskine of four other murders. These include the murder of Wilfred Parkes (aged 81, at Stockwell,
on 2 June 1986) and Trevor Thomas (aged 75, at Lambeth, on 21 July 1986). Erskine has never been charged with
any of these murders.
It was clear to the police that all these attacks were the work of one man. There were no signs of forced entry, with
every indication that the intruder had gained access through an unsecured window. In each case it appeared that the
killer had knelt on the victim's chests, and then placed his left hand over their mouths whilst he used his right hand to
grip their throats and strangle them to death. In addition four of the victims had been sodomized, although there was
some uncertainty as to whether this had taken place before or after death.
Kenneth Erskine 100
Erskine was sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommended minimum term of 40 years, but has since been
found to be suffering from mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983, and is therefore now
held at the maximum security Broadmoor Hospital. He is unlikely to be freed until at least 2028 and the age of 66.
Some 20 years later, the trial judge's recommendation is still one of the heaviest ever handed out in British legal
history.
In July 2009 Erskine's murder convictions were reduced to manslaughter on the grounds on diminished responsibility
following an appeal.[1]
Recent events
In February 1996, Erskine was again in the news, this time for preventing the possible murder of Peter Sutcliffe, the
"Yorkshire Ripper", by raising the alarm as a fellow inmate, Paul Wilson, attempted to strangle Sutcliffe with the
flex from a pair of stereo headphones.
References
[1] " 'Strangler' wins murders appeal." (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ 8149050. stm) BBC. 14 July 2009.
Mary Ann Cotton 101
Mary Ann Cotton

Mary Ann Robson (Cotton)
Birth name: Mary Ann Robson
Born: October 1832

Low Moorsley, Sunderland, England
Died: 24 March 1873 (aged 40)
Cause of death: Hanged in Durham jail
Killings
Country: England
Mary Ann Cotton (October 1832 – 24 March 1873) was an English serial killer believed to have murdered up to 21
people, mainly by arsenic poisoning.
Early life
Mary Ann Robson was born in October 1832 in the small English village of Low Moorsley, County Durham in what
is now the City of Sunderland Her childhood was an unhappy one. Her parents were both younger than 20 when they
married. Her father Michael, a miner, was ardently religious, a fierce disciplinarian
When Mary Ann was eight, her parents moved the family to the County Durham village of Murton, where she went
to a new school and found it difficult to make friends. Soon after the move her father fell 150 feet (46 m) to his death
down a mine shaft at Murton Colliery.
When Mary Ann was 14, her mother remarried. Mary Ann did not like her new stepfather, Robert Stott, but she liked
the things his better wages could buy. At the age of 16 she could not stand the discipline of her stepfather any longer,
so she moved out to become a nurse at Edward Potter's home in the nearby village of South Hetton. She served there
for three years and then returned to her mother's home and trained as a dressmaker. About this time she met a
colliery labourer called William Mowbray.
Mary Ann Cotton 102
Husband 1: William Mowbray

Mary Ann, aged 20, married William Mowbray in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; they soon moved to Plymouth, Devon. The
couple had five children, four of whom died from gastric fever or stomach pains.[1] William and Mary Ann moved
back to the North East where they had, and lost, three more children. William became a foreman at South Hetton
Colliery and then a fireman aboard a steam vessel. He died of an intestinal disorder in January 1865. William's life
was insured by the British and Prudential Insurance office and Mary Ann collected a payout of £35 on his death,
equivalent to about half a year's wages for a manual labourer at the time.
Husband 2: George Ward

Soon after Mowbray's death, Mary Ann moved to Seaham Harbour, County Durham, where she struck up a
relationship with a Joseph Nattrass. He, however, was engaged to another woman and she left Seaham after
Nattrass’s wedding. During this time, her 3½-year-old daughter died, leaving her with 1 child out of the 9 she had
borne. Nattrass, however, was not gone from Mary Ann's life. She returned to Sunderland and took up employment
at the Sunderland Infirmary, House of Recovery for the Cure of Contagious Fever, Dispensary and Humane Society.
She sent her remaining child, Isabella, to live with her own mother, the child's grandmother.
One of her patients at the infirmary was an engineer, George Ward. They married in Monkwearmouth in August
1865. George continued to suffer ill health; he died in October 1866 after a long illness characterised by paralysis
and intestinal problems. The attending doctor later gave evidence that Ward had been very ill, yet he had been
surprised that the man's death was so sudden. Once again, Mary Ann collected insurance money from a husband's
death.
Husband 3: James Robinson

James Robinson was a shipwright at Pallion, Sunderland, whose wife, Hannah, had recently died. James hired Mary
Ann as a housekeeper in November 1866. One month later, when James' baby died of gastric fever, he turned to his
housekeeper for comfort and she became pregnant. Then Mary Ann's mother, living in Seaham Harbour, County
Durham, became ill so she immediately went to her. Although her mother started getting better, she also began to
complain of stomach pains. She died at age 54 on June 9, nine days after Mary Ann's arrival.
Mary Ann's daughter Isabella, from the marriage to William Mowbray, was brought back to the Robinson household
and soon developed bad stomach pains and died; so did another two of James' children. All three children were
buried in the last 2 weeks of April 1867.
Four months later, the grieving widower father married Mary Ann. Baby Mary Isabella was born that November, but
she became ill with familiar symptoms and died in March 1868.
James, meanwhile, had become suspicious of his wife's insistence that he insure his life; he discovered that she had
run up debts of £60 behind his back and had stolen more than £50 that she was supposed to have banked. The last
straw was when he found she had been forcing his children to pawn household valuables for her. He threw her out.
"Husband" 4: Frederick Cotton

Mary Ann was desperate and living on the streets. Then her friend Margaret Cotton introduced her to her brother
Frederick, a pitman and recent widower living in Walbottle, Northumberland, who had lost two of his four children.
Margaret had acted as substitute mother for the remaining children, Frederick Jr and Charles. But in late March 1870
she died from an undetermined stomach ailment, leaving Mary Ann to console the grieving Frederick Sr. Soon her
eleventh pregnancy was under way.
Frederick and Mary Ann were bigamously married in September 1870 and their son Robert was born early in 1871.
Soon after, Mary Ann learnt that her former lover, Joseph Nattrass, was living in the nearby village of West
Mary Ann Cotton 103
Auckland, and no longer married. She rekindled the romance and persuaded her new family to move near him.
Frederick followed his predecessors to the grave in December of that year, from “gastric fever”. Insurance had been
taken out on the lives of himself and his sons.
Two lovers
After Frederick’s death, Nattrass soon became Mary Ann’s lodger. She gained employment as nurse to an excise
officer recovering from smallpox, John Quick-Manning. Soon she became pregnant by him with her twelfth child.
Frederick Jr died in March 1872 and the infant Robert soon after. Then Nattrass became ill with gastric fever, and
died — just after revising his will in Mary Ann’s favour.
The insurance policy Mary Ann had taken out on Charles's life still awaited collection.
Death of Charles Edward Cotton and inquest

Mary Ann's downfall came when she was asked by a parish official, Thomas Riley, to help nurse a woman who was
ill with smallpox. She complained that the last surviving Cotton boy, Charles Edward, was in the way and asked
Riley if he could be committed to the workhouse.
Riley, who also served as West Auckland's assistant coroner, said she would have to accompany him. She told Riley
that the boy was sickly and added: “I won’t be troubled long. He’ll go like all the rest of the Cottons.”
Riley replied: "No, nothing of the kind — he is a fine, healthy boy," so he was shocked five days later when Mary
Ann told him that the lad had died. Riley went to the village police and convinced the doctor to delay writing a death
certificate until the circumstances could be investigated.
Mary Ann’s first port of call after Charles’s death was not the doctor’s but the insurance office. There, she learnt that
no money would be paid out until a death certificate was issued. An inquest was held and the jury returned a verdict
of natural causes. Mary Ann claimed to have used arrowroot to relieve his illness and said Riley had made the
accusations because she had rejected his advances.
Then the local newspapers latched on to the story and discovered Mary Ann had moved around northern England
and lost three husbands, a lover, a friend, her mother, and a dozen children, all of whom had died of stomach fevers.
Arrest
Rumour turned to suspicion and forensic inquiry. The doctor who attended Charles had kept samples, and they tested
positive for arsenic. He went to the police, who arrested Mary Ann and ordered the exhumation of Charles’s body.
She was charged with his murder — although the trial was delayed until after the delivery of Quick-Manning's child.
Trial and execution

Her trial began on Wednesday, 5 March 1873. The delay was caused by a problem in the selection of the public
prosecutor. A Mr. Aspinwall was the person who was supposed to get the job but the Attorney General, Sir John
Duke Coleridge, chose his very promising friend and protege Charles Russell. Russell's appointment over Aspinwall
led to a question in the House of Commons. However it was accepted, and Russell conducted the prosecution. The
Cotton case would be the first of several famous poisoning cases he would be involved in during his career including
those of Adelaide Bartlett and Florence Maybrick, as well as one of many other criminal cases he was involved in,
such as that of Patrick O'Donnell for the murder of James Carey,the informer in the Phoenix Park Murders.
The defence in the case was handled by Mr. Thomas Campbell Foster. The defence at Mary Ann’s trial claimed that
Charles died from inhaling arsenic used as a dye in the green wallpaper of the Cotton home. The jury retired for 90
minutes before finding Mary Ann guilty.
Mary Ann Cotton 104
The Times correspondent reported on 20 May: "After conviction the wretched woman exhibited strong emotion but
this gave place in a few hours to her habitual cold, reserved demeanour and while she harbours a strong conviction
that the royal clemency will be extended towards her, she staunchly asserts her innocence of the crime that she has
been convicted of." Several petitions were presented to the Home Secretary, but to no avail. She was hanged at
Durham County Gaol on 24 March, 1873. She died slowly as the hangman, William Calcraft, used to apply the older
"short drop"-technique for the executions.
Nursery rhyme
Mary Ann Cotton also has her own nursery rhyme by the same title, sung after her hanging on March 24, 1873.
Lyrics:
Mary Ann Cotton,
She's dead and she's rotten
She lies in her bed,
With her eyes wide open
Sing, sing, oh, what can I sing,
Mary Ann Cotton is tied up with string
Where, where? Up in the air
Sellin' black puddens a penny a pair.
Black puddens refers to a type of sausage made with pig's blood, known as black pudding, or less often blood
pudding.
Sources
• Appleton, Arthur: Mary Ann Cotton: Her Story and Trial (London: Michael Joseph, 1973). ISBN 0 7181 1184 2
• The Times, contemporary reports, 1872-3
References
[1] http:/ / www. northeasthistory. co. uk/ the_north_east/ history/ crime/ cotton. html
Merry widow of Windy Nook 105
Merry widow of Windy Nook

Mary Elizabeth Wilson, also known as the Merry widow of Windy Nook, was the last woman to be sentenced to
death in Durham, in 1958.[1] However the sentence was not carried out as it was commuted to a prison sentence.
Wilson was convicted of murdering two of her four husbands with beetle poison.[2]
References
• ""Windy Nook Widow" Is Given Death" [3]. The Miami News. 29 March 1958.
• ""Merry Widow Of Windy Nook" Has Death Sentence Commuted" [4]. St. Petersburg Times. 2 June 1958.
• Sarah Robertson (28 November 2004). "Cops have last laugh" [5]. Sunday Sun.
References
[1] Chris Lloyd (19th November 2008). "Brassed off by the cold and back again" (http:/ / www. thenorthernecho. co. uk/ features/ columnists/
memories/ darlington/ 3861932. Brassed_off_by_the_cold_and_back_again). The Northern Echo. .
[2] "Merry Widow Is Sentenced To Be Hanged" (http:/ / news. google. co. uk/ newspapers?id=gAcjAAAAIBAJ& sjid=i80FAAAAIBAJ&
dq=widow of windy nook to hang& pg=1952,5937547). The Palm Beach Post. 30 March 1958. .
[3] http:/ / news. google. com/ newspapers?id=g6YyAAAAIBAJ& sjid=JuwFAAAAIBAJ& pg=4538%2C6138628
[4] http:/ / news. google. com/ newspapers?id=J_INAAAAIBAJ& sjid=TXYDAAAAIBAJ& pg=5644%2C1202922
[5] http:/ / www. sundaysun. co. uk/ news/ north-east-news/ 2004/ 11/ 28/ cops-have-last-laugh-79310-14928699
Michael Lupo
Michele Lupo (1953—1995) was a homosexual serial killer originally from Italy, operating in Britain. He was based
at the YSL boutique in Brompton Road, London during the 1980s.
History
On March 15, 1986, a 37-year-old man named Alex Kasson was found murdered in a derelict flat in Kensington,
London. The investigation did not make much progress as it was apparent there were no obvious ties between killer
and victim.
On April 6 that same year, Anthony Connolly, 24, was found murdered on a railway embankment in Brixton. He had
been strangled to death with his own scarf. Because Connolly had been sharing a flat with a man who was HIV
positive, there was a long delay between the discovery of the body and the post mortem because the coroner wanted
to make sure Connolly was not himself infected with HIV. This created serious tensions between the authorities and
the gay community, the latter accusing the former of dragging their heels and not taking the death of a gay man
seriously enough.
Michael Lupo 106

Six weeks later, on May 18, Michele de Marco Lupo was arrested and charged with the murders of Connolly and
Burns. Lupo, who ran a flower shop in Chelsea, was originally from Italy and was a former soldier. He apparently
called himself "The Wolf Man" ("lupo" means "wolf" in Italian) and boasted of having had 4,000 lovers.
On May 21, Lupo was charged with two other recent killings, those of a young hospital worker named Damien
McClusky, who had been strangled in West London, and an unidentified man, who was murdered near Hungerford
Bridge over the Thames. In addition to these four murders, Lupo was charged with two attempted murders .
In 1987, at the Old Bailey, Lupo pleaded guilty to all charges and was given four life sentences, plus 14 years. There
were investigations from a number of cities Lupo had visited in the early 1980s, such as New York, Berlin and Los
Angeles, to see if he was responsible for unsolved homicides in those areas, although no such evidence of any further
crimes committed by Lupo in these or any other locations came to light.
In February 1995, Lupo died in prison from an AIDS related illness. He had contracted the disease shortly before his
killing spree and he claimed that finding this out was what had set him off on his rampage.
References
• The New Encyclopedia Of Serial Killers, Brian Lane and Wilfred Gregg (Revised Edition 1996), Headline Book
Publishing ISDN 0747253617
Moors murders 107
Moors murders
Ian Brady and Myra Hindley
Hindley (left) and Brady, 1965

Birth name: Ian Duncan Stewart

Myra Hindley
Also known as: The Moors Murderers
Born: 2 January 1938(I.B.)

23 July 1942 (M.H.)
Glasgow, Scotland (I.B.)
Crumpsall, Manchester, England (M.H.)
Died: 15 November 2002 (aged 60) (M.H.)
Cause of death: Bronchial pneumonia caused by heart disease (M.H.)
Conviction: Murder
Killings
Span of killings: 12 July 1963–6 October 1965
Country: England
Date apprehended: 7 October 1965 (I.B.)

11 October 1965 (M.H.)
The Moors murders were carried out by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley between July 1963 and October 1965, in and
around what is now Greater Manchester, England. The victims were five children aged between 10 and 17—Pauline
Reade, John Kilbride, Keith Bennett, Lesley Ann Downey and Edward Evans—at least four of whom were sexually
assaulted. The murders are so named because two of the victims were discovered in graves dug on Saddleworth
Moor; a third grave was discovered on the moor in 1987, over 20 years after Brady and Hindley's trial in 1966. The
body of a fourth victim, Keith Bennett, is also suspected to be buried there, but as of 2010 it remains undiscovered.
The police were initially aware of only three killings—those of Edward Evans, Lesley Ann Downey, and John
Kilbride. The investigation was reopened in 1985, after Brady was reported in the press as having confessed to the
murders of Pauline Reade and Keith Bennett. Brady and Hindley were taken separately to Saddleworth Moor to
assist the police in their search for the graves, both by then having confessed to the additional murders.
Described by the press as "the most evil woman in Britain",[1] Hindley made several appeals against her life
sentence, claiming she was a reformed woman and no longer a danger to society, but she was never released. She
died in 2002, aged 60. Brady was declared criminally insane in 1985, since when he has been confined in the
high-security Ashworth Hospital. He has made it clear that he never wants to be released, and has repeatedly asked
Moors murders 108
that he be allowed to die.

The murders, reported in almost every English-language newspaper in the world,[2] were the result of what Malcolm
MacCulloch, professor of forensic psychiatry at Cardiff University, called a "concatenation of circumstances", which
brought together a "young woman with a tough personality, taught to hand out and receive violence from an early
age" and a "sexually sadistic psychopath".[3]
Victims
The full extent of Brady and Hindley's killing spree did
not come to light until their confessions in 1985, as
both had until then maintained their innocence. Their
first victim was 16-year-old Pauline Reade, a neighbour
of Hindley's who disappeared on her way to a dance in
Crumpsall on 12 July 1963. That evening, Brady told
Hindley that he wanted to "commit his perfect murder".
He told her to drive her van around the local area while
he followed behind on his motorcycle; when he spotted
a likely victim he would flash his headlight, and
Hindley was to stop and offer that person a lift.[4]
Saddleworth Moor, viewed from Hollin Brown Knoll. The bodies of
Driving down Gorton Lane, Brady saw a young girl three of the murdered children were found in this area.
walking towards them, and signalled Hindley to stop,

which she did not do until she had passed the girl. Brady drew up alongside on his motorbike, demanding to know
why she had not offered the girl a lift, to which Hindley replied that she recognised her as Marie Ruck, a near
neighbour of her mother. Shortly after 8:00 pm, continuing down Froxmer Street,[5] Brady spotted a girl wearing a
pale blue coat and white high heeled shoes walking away from them, and once again signalled for the van to stop.[4]
Hindley recognised the girl as Pauline Reade, a friend of her younger sister, Maureen.[6] Reade got into the van with
Hindley, who then asked if she would mind helping to search for an expensive glove she had lost on Saddleworth
Moor. Reade said she was in no great hurry, and agreed. At 16, Pauline Reade was older than Marie Ruck, and
Hindley realised that there would be less of a hue and cry over the disappearance of a teenager than there would over
a seven or eight-year-old child. When the van reached the moor, Hindley stopped and Brady arrived shortly
afterwards on his motorcycle. She introduced him to Reade as her boyfriend, and said that he had also come to help
find the missing glove. Brady took Reade onto the moor while Hindley waited in the van. After about 30 minutes
Brady returned alone, and took Hindley to the spot where Reade lay dying, her throat cut. He told her to stay with
Reade while he fetched a spade he had hidden nearby on a previous visit to the moor, to bury the body. Hindley
noticed that "Pauline's coat was undone and her clothes were in disarray [...] She had guessed from the time he had
taken that Brady had sexually assaulted her."[4] Returning home from the moor in the van—they had loaded the
motorcycle into the back—Brady and Hindley passed Reade's mother, Joan, accompanied by her son, Paul, searching
the streets for Pauline.[7]
Hindley approached twelve-year-old John Kilbride on 23 November 1963, at a market in Ashton-under-Lyne, and
asked him to help her carry some boxes. Brady was sitting in the back of a Ford Anglia car that Hindley had hired.
When they reached the moor, Brady took the child with him while Hindley waited in the car. Brady sexually
assaulted Kilbride and attempted to slit his throat with a six-inch serrated blade before fatally strangling him with a
piece of string, possibly a shoelace.[8]
Twelve-year-old Keith Bennett vanished on his way to his grandmother's house in Gorton during the early evening
of 16 June 1964,[9] four days after his birthday. Hindley lured him into her Mini pick-up—which Brady was sitting
in the back of—by asking for the boy's help in loading some boxes, after which she said she would drive him home.
Moors murders 109
She drove to a lay-by on Saddleworth Moor as she and Brady had previously arranged, and Brady went off with
Bennett, supposedly looking for a lost glove. Hindley kept watch, and after about 30 minutes or so Brady
reappeared, alone and carrying a spade that he had hidden there earlier. When Hindley asked how he had killed
Bennett, Brady said that he had sexually assaulted the boy and strangled him with a piece of string.[10]
Brady and Hindley visited a fairground on 26 December 1964 in search of another victim, and noticed 10-year-old
Lesley Ann Downey standing beside one of the rides. When it became apparent that she was on her own, they
approached her and deliberately dropped some of the shopping they were carrying close to her, before asking for the
girl's help to carry some of the packages to their car, and then to their home. Once inside the house Downey was
undressed, gagged, and forced to pose for photographs before being raped and fatally strangled with a piece of string.
Hindley maintained that she went to draw a bath for the child and found the girl dead (presumably killed by Brady)
when she returned. The following morning Brady and Hindley drove with Downey's body to Saddleworth Moor,[11]
where she was buried, naked with her clothes at her feet, in a shallow grave.[12]
On 6 October 1965 Brady met 17-year-old apprentice engineer Edward Evans at Manchester Central railway station
and invited him to his home at 16 Wardle Brook Avenue in Hattersley, where Brady beat him to death with an
axe.[13]
Initial report
The attack on Edward Evans was witnessed by
Hindley's 17-year-old brother-in-law, David Smith, the
husband of her younger sister Maureen. The Hindley
family had not approved of Maureen's marriage to
Smith, who had several criminal convictions, including
actual bodily harm and housebreaking, the first of
which, wounding with intent, occurred when he was
aged eleven.[14] Throughout the previous year Brady
had been cultivating a friendship with Smith, who had
become "in awe" of the older man, something that
increasingly worried Hindley, as she felt it
The empty plot where 16 Wardle Brook Avenue in Hattersley, once
compromised their safety. Shortly before Evans' stood. The house was demolished by the local council.
murder Brady announced to her that he and Smith
intended "to roll over a queer".[15]
On the evening of 6 October 1965 Hindley drove Brady to Manchester Central Station, where she waited outside in
the car while he selected their victim; after a few minutes Brady reappeared in the company of Edward Evans, to
whom he introduced Hindley as his sister. After they had driven back home and relaxed over a bottle of wine, Brady
sent Hindley to fetch her brother-in-law. When they got back to the house Hindley told Smith to wait outside for her
signal, a flashing light. When the signal came Smith knocked on the door and was met by Brady, who asked if he
had come for "the miniature wine bottles". A few minutes later Hindley, who had gone into the kitchen to feed her
dogs, heard Brady struggling with Evans and saw Smith standing by the front door.[13] She shouted for him to go and
help, and Smith entered the room to find Brady repeatedly striking Evans with the flat of an axe. He watched as
Brady then throttled Evans with a length of electrical cord.[16] Evans' body was too heavy for Smith to carry to the
car on his own—Brady had sprained his ankle in the struggle—so they wrapped it in plastic sheeting and put it in the
spare bedroom.[17]
Smith agreed to meet Brady the following evening to dispose of Evans' body,[17] but after returning home he woke
his wife and told her what he had seen. Maureen told him that he must call the police. Three hours later the couple
cautiously made their way to a public phone box in the street below their flat, Smith taking the precaution of arming
Moors murders 110
himself with a screwdriver and a kitchen knife to defend them in the event that Brady suddenly appeared and
confronted them. At 6:07 am Smith made an emergency services call to the police station in nearby Hyde and told
his story to the officer on duty.[18] In his statement to the police Smith claimed that:
[Brady] opened the door and he said in a very loud voice for him [...] "Do you want those miniatures?" I
nodded my head to say yes and he led me into the kitchen [...] and he gave me three miniature bottles of spirits
and said: "Do you want the rest?" When I first walked into the house, the door to the living room [...] was
closed. [...] Ian went into the living room and I waited in the kitchen. I waited about a minute or two then
suddenly I heard a hell of a scream; it sounded like a woman, really high-pitched. Then the screams carried on,
one after another really loud. Then I heard Myra shout, "Dave, help him," very loud. When I ran in I just stood
inside the living room and I saw a young lad. He was lying with his head and shoulders on the couch and his
legs were on the floor. He was facing upwards. Ian was standing over him, facing him, with his legs on either
side of the young lad's legs. The lad was still screaming. [...] Ian had a hatchet in his hand [...] he was holding
it above his head and he hit the lad on the left side of his head with the hatchet. I heard the blow, it was a
terrible hard blow, it sounded horrible."[19]
Arrest
Early on the morning of 7 October, shortly after Smith's call, Superintendent Bob Talbot of the Cheshire Police
arrived at the back door of 16 Wardle Brook Avenue, wearing a borrowed baker's overall to cover his uniform.
Talbot identified himself to Hindley as a police officer when she opened the door, and told her that he wanted to
speak to her boyfriend. Hindley led him into the living room, where Brady was sitting up in a divan writing a note to
his employer explaining that he would not be able to get into work because of his ankle injury. Talbot explained that
he was investigating "an act of violence involving guns" that was reported to have taken place the previous
evening.[20] Hindley denied that there had been any violence, and allowed police to look around the house. When
they came to the upstairs room in which Evans' body was stored the police found the door locked, and asked Brady
for the key. Hindley claimed that the key was at work, but after the police offered to drive her to her employer's
premises to retrieve it, Brady told her to hand the key over. When they returned to the living room the police told
Brady that they had discovered a trussed up body, and that he was being arrested on suspicion of murder.[21] As
Brady was getting dressed, he said "Eddie and I had a row and the situation got out of hand."[22]
Hindley was not arrested with Brady, but she demanded to go with him to the police station, accompanied by her dog
Puppet, to which the police agreed.[23] Hindley was questioned about the events surrounding Evans' death, but she
refused to make any statement beyond claiming that it had been an accident. As the police had no evidence that
Hindley was involved in Evans' murder she was allowed to go home, on condition that she return the next day for
further questioning. Hindley was at liberty for four days following Brady's arrest, during which time she went to her
employer's premises and asked to be dismissed, so that she would be eligible for unemployment benefits. While in
the office where Brady worked she found some papers belonging to him in an envelope that she claimed she did not
open, which she burned in an ashtray. She believed that they were plans for bank robberies, nothing to do with the
murders. On 11 October Hindley was charged as an accessory to the murder of Edward Evans and was remanded at
Risley.[24]
Initial investigation
Brady admitted under police questioning that he and Evans had fought, but insisted that he and Smith had murdered
Evans between them; Hindley, he said, had "only done what she had been told".[25] Smith told police that Brady and
Hindley had hidden evidence in two suitcases stored in a left-luggage office somewhere in Manchester. British
Transport Police were asked to search all of Manchester's stations, and on 15 October found what they were looking
for—police later found the left-luggage ticket in the back of Hindley's prayer book.[26] Inside one of the cases were
nine pornographic photographs taken of a young girl, naked and with a scarf tied across her mouth, and a 13-minute
Moors murders 111
tape recording of her screaming and pleading for help.[27] Ann Downey, Lesley Ann Downey's mother, later listened
to the tape after police had discovered the body of her missing 10-year-old daughter, and confirmed that it was a
recording of her daughter's voice.[28]
Police searching the house at Wardle Brook Avenue also found an old exercise book in which the name "John
Kilbride" had been scribbled, which made them suspicious that Brady and Hindley may have been involved in the
unsolved disappearances of other youngsters.[29] A large collection of photographs was discovered in the house,
many of which seemed to have been taken on Saddleworth Moor. One hundred and fifty officers were drafted to
search the moor, looking for locations that matched the photographs. Initially the search was concentrated along the
A628 road near Woodhead, but a close neighbour, 11-year-old Pat Hodges, had on several occasions been taken to
the moor by Brady and Hindley and she was able to point out their favourite sites along the A635 road.[30] On
16 October police found an arm bone sticking out of the peat; officers presumed that they'd found the body of John
Kilbride, but soon discovered that the body was that of Lesley Ann Downey. Ann Downey—later Ann West after
her marriage to Alan West—had been on the moor watching as the police conducted their search, but was not present
when the body was found.[31] She was shown clothing recovered from the grave, and identified it as belonging to her
missing daughter.[32]
Detectives were able to locate another site on the opposite side of the
A635 road from where Downey's body was discovered, and five days
later they found the "badly decomposed" body of John Kilbride, whom
they identified by his clothing.[33] That same day, already being held
for the murder of Evans, Brady and Hindley appeared at Hyde
Magistrate's Court charged with Lesley Ann Downey's murder. Each
was brought before the court separately and remanded into custody for
a week.[34] They made a two-minute appearance again on 28 October,
and were remanded for a further week.[35]
A photograph taken by Ian Brady of Myra
The search for bodies continued, but with winter setting in it was called Hindley with her dog, Puppet, crouching over
[33] John Kilbride's grave on Saddleworth Moor
off in November. Presented with the evidence of the tape recording
Brady admitted to taking the photographs of Lesley Ann Downey, but
insisted that she had been brought to Wardle Brook Avenue by two men who had subsequently taken her away
again, alive. Brady was further charged with the murder of John Kilbride, and Hindley with the murder of Edward
Evans, on 2 December.[36] At the committal hearing on 6 December Brady was charged with the murders of Edward
Evans, John Kilbride, and Lesley Ann Downey, and Hindley with the murders of Edward Evans and Lesley Ann
Downey, as well as with harbouring Brady in the knowledge that he had killed John Kilbride. The prosecution's
opening statement was held in camera,[37] and the defence asked for a similar stipulation, but was refused.[38] The
proceedings continued in front of three magistrates in Hyde over an 11-day period during December, at the end of
which the pair were committed for trial at Chester Assizes.[39]
Many of the photographs taken by Brady and Hindley on the moor featured Hindley's dog Puppet, sometimes as a
puppy. Detectives arranged for the animal to be examined by a vet, to determine its age, from which they could date
when the pictures were taken. The examination involved an analysis of the dog's teeth, which required a general
anaesthetic from which Puppet did not recover, as he suffered from an undiagnosed kidney complaint. On hearing
the news of her dog's death Hindley became furious, and accused the police of murdering Puppet, one of the few
occasions detectives witnessed any emotional response from her.[33] In a letter to her mother shortly afterwards
Hindley wrote:
I feel as though my heart's been torn to pieces. I don't think anything could hurt me more than this has. The
only consolation is that some moron might have got hold of Puppet and hurt him.[40]
Moors murders 112
Trial
The trial was held over 14 days beginning on 19 April 1966, in front of Mr Justice Fenton Atkinson.[39] Such was the
public interest that the courtroom was fitted with security screens to protect Brady and Hindley.[41] The pair were
each charged with three murders, those of Evans, Downey, and Kilbride, as it was considered that there was by then
sufficient evidence to implicate Hindley in Kilbride's death. The prosecution was led by the Attorney General,
Frederick Elwyn Jones.[39] Brady was defended by the Liberal Member of Parliament Emlyn Hooson,[42] and
Hindley was defended by Godfrey Heilpern, recorder of Salford from 1964—both experienced QCs.[43] [44] David
Smith was the chief prosecution witness, but during the trial it was discovered that he had agreed a deal with a
newspaper that he refused to name—even under intense questioning—guaranteeing him £1,000 (equivalent to about
£10000 as of 2010) for the syndication rights to his story if Brady and Hindley were convicted, something the trial
judge described as a "gross interference with the course of justice".[45] [46] By the time of the trial Smith had already
enjoyed a foreign holiday, and was accommodated at a five-star hotel for the duration of the trial, both at the
newspaper's expense.[47]
Brady and Hindley pleaded not guilty to the charges against them; both were called to give evidence, Brady for over
eight hours and Hindley for six.[48] Although Brady admitted to hitting Evans with an axe, he did not admit to killing
him, arguing that the pathologist in his report had stated that Evans' death was "accelerated by strangulation". Under
cross-examination by the prosecuting counsel, all Brady would admit was that "I hit Evans with the axe. If he died
from axe blows, I killed him."[49] Hindley denied any knowledge that the photographs of Saddleworth Moor found
by police had been taken near the graves of their victims.[50]
The tape recording of Lesley Anne Downey, on which the voices of Brady and Hindley were clearly audible, was
played in open court. Hindley admitted that her attitude towards the child was "brusque and cruel", but claimed that
was only because she was afraid that someone might hear Downey screaming.[50] Hindley claimed that when
Downey was being undressed she herself was "downstairs"; when the pornographic photographs were taken she was
"looking out the window"; and that when the child was being strangled she "was running a bath".
On 6 May, after having deliberated for a little over two hours,[51] the jury found Brady guilty of all three murders
and Hindley guilty of the murders of Downey and Evans. The Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act had come
into force during the time that Brady and Hindley were held in prison, abolishing the death penalty for murder, and
so the judge passed the only sentence that the law allowed: life imprisonment. Brady was sentenced to three
concurrent life sentences and Hindley was given two, plus a concurrent seven-year term for harbouring Brady in the
knowledge that he had murdered John Kilbride.[39] Brady was taken to Durham Prison and Hindley was sent to
Holloway Prison.[50]
In his closing remarks Mr Justice Atkinson described the murders as a "truly horrible case" and condemned the
accused as "two sadistic killers of the utmost depravity".[52] He recommended that both Brady and Hindley spend "a
very long time" in prison before being considered for parole but did not stipulate a tariff. He stated that Brady was
"wicked beyond belief" and that he saw no reasonable possibility of reform. He did not consider that the same was
necessarily true of Hindley, however, "once she is removed from [Brady's] influence".[53] Throughout the trial Brady
and Hindley "stuck rigidly to their strategy of lying",[54] and Hindley was later described as "a quiet, controlled,
impassive witness who lied remorselessly".[39]
Moors murders 113
Later investigation
In 1985 Brady allegedly confessed to Fred Harrison—a journalist
working for The Sunday People—that he had also been responsible for
the murders of Pauline Reade and Keith Bennett,[55] something that the
police already suspected, as both children lived in the same area as
Brady and Hindley and had disappeared at about the same time as their
other victims. The subsequent newspaper reports prompted the Greater
Manchester Police (GMP) to reopen the case, in an investigation
headed by Detective Chief Superintendent Peter Topping, who had
been appointed Head of GMP's Criminal Investigation Department
(CID) the previous year.[56]
On 3 July 1985 Topping visited Brady, then being held at Gartree

Prison, but found him "scornful of any suggestion that he had
confessed to more murders".[57] Police nevertheless decided to resume
their search of Saddleworth Moor, once more using the photographs
taken by Brady and Hindley to help them identify possible burial sites.
Meanwhile, in November 1986 Winnie Johnson, Keith Bennett's Keith Bennett
mother, wrote a letter to Hindley begging to know what had happened
to her son, a letter that Hindley seemed to be "genuinely moved" by.[58] It ended:
I am a simple woman, I work in the kitchens of Christie's Hospital. It has taken me five weeks labour to write
this letter because it is so important to me that it is understood by you for what it is, a plea for help. Please,
Miss Hindley, help me.[59]
Police visited Hindley, then being held in Cookham Wood, a few days after she had received the letter, and although
she refused to admit any involvement in the killings, she agreed to help by looking at photographs and maps to try to
identify spots that she had visited with Brady.[60] She showed particular interest in photographs of the area around
Hollin Brown Knoll and Shiny Brook, but said that it was impossible to be sure of the locations without visiting the
moor.[61] The security considerations for such a visit were significant; there were threats made against her should she
visit the moors, but Home Secretary Douglas Hurd agreed with Topping that it would be worth the risk.[62] Writing
in 1989, Topping said that he felt "quite cynical" about Hindley's motivation in helping the police. Although the
letter from Winnie Johnson may have played a part, he believed that Hindley's real concern was that, knowing of
Brady's "precarious" mental state, she was afraid that he might decide to co-operate with the police, and wanted to
make certain that she, and not Brady, was the one to gain whatever benefit there may have been in terms of public
approval.[63]
Hindley made the first of two visits to assist the police search of Saddleworth Moor on 16 December 1986.[64] Four
police cars left Cookham Wood at 4.30 am. At about the same time, police closed all roads onto the moor, which was
patrolled by 200 officers, 40 of them armed. Hindley and her solicitor arrived by helicopter from an airfield near
Maidstone, touching down at 8.30 am. Wearing a donkey jacket and balaclava, she was driven, and walked around
the area. It was difficult for Hindley to make a connection between her memories of the area and what she saw on the
day, and she was apparently nervous of the helicopters flying overhead. At 3:00 pm she was returned to the
helicopter, and taken back to Cookham Wood.[62] Topping was criticised by the press, who described the visit as a
"fiasco", a "publicity stunt", and a "mindless waste of money".[65] He was forced to defend the visit, pointing out its
benefits:
We had taken the view that we needed a thorough systematic search of the moor [...] It would never have been
possible to carry out such a search in private.[65]
Moors murders 114
Topping continued to visit Hindley in prison, along with her solicitor Michael Fisher and her spiritual counsellor, the
Reverend Peter Timms, who had been a prison governor before resigning to join the Methodist Church.[65] She made
a formal confession to police on 10 February 1987, admitting her involvement in all five murders,[66] but news of her
confession was not made public for more than a month.[67] The tape recording of her statement was over 17 hours
long; Topping described it as a "very well worked out performance in which, I believe, she told me just as much as
she wanted me to know, and no more".[68] He also commented that he "was struck by the fact that she was never
there when the killings took place. She was in the car, over the brow of the hill, in the bathroom and even, in the case
of the Evans murder, in the kitchen."[69] Topping concluded that he felt he "had witnessed a great performance rather
than a genuine confession".[70]
Police visited Brady in prison again and told him of
Hindley's confession, which at first he refused to
believe. Once presented with some of the details that
Hindley had provided of Pauline Reade's abduction,
however, Brady decided that he too was prepared to
confess, but on one condition: that immediately
afterwards he be given the means to commit suicide, a
request that was impossible for the authorities to
comply with.[71]
At about the same time, Winnie Johnson sent Hindley

During the 1987 search for Pauline Reade and Keith Bennett, another letter, again pleading with her to assist the
Hindley recalled that she had seen the rocks of Hollin Brown Knoll police in finding the body of her son Keith. In the
silhouetted against the night sky
letter, Johnson was sympathetic to Hindley over the
criticism surrounding her first visit. Hindley, who had
not replied to the first letter, responded by thanking Johnson for both letters, explaining that her decision not to reply
to the first resulted from the negative publicity that surrounded it. She claimed that, had Johnson written to her
14 years earlier, she would have confessed and helped the police. She also paid tribute to Topping, and thanked
Johnson for her sincerity.[72] Hindley made her second visit to the moor in March 1987. This time, the level of
security surrounding her visit was considerably higher. She stayed overnight in Manchester, at the flat of the police
chief in charge of GMP training at Sedgley Park, and visited the moor twice.[72] She confirmed to police that the two
areas in which they were concentrating their search—Hollin Brown Knoll and Hoe Grain—were correct, although
she was unable to locate either of the graves.[73] She did later remember, though, that as Pauline Reade was being
buried she had been sitting next to her on a patch of grass and could see the rocks of Hollin Brown Knoll silhouetted
against the night sky.[74]
In April 1987 news of Hindley's confession became public. Amidst strong media interest Lord Longford pleaded for
her release, writing that her continuing detention to satisfy "mob emotion" was not right. Fisher persuaded Hindley
to release a public statement, in which she explained her reasons for denying her complicity in the murders, her
religious experiences in prison, the letter from Johnson, and that she saw no possibility of release. She also
exonerated David Smith from any part in the murders, except that of Edward Evans.[75]
Moors murders 115
Over the next few months interest in

the search waned, but Hindley's clue
had directed the police to focus their
efforts on a specific area. On the
afternoon of 1 July 1987, after more
than 100 days of searching, they found
a body lying in a shallow grave 3 feet
(0.91 m) below the surface, only
100 yards (91 m) from the place where
Lesley Ann Downey had been
found.[74] [76] Brady had been
co-operating with the police for some
time, and when news reached him that
A map of Saddleworth Moor, showing the areas in which the bodies of three of the
Reade's body had been discovered he children were found, and the general area in which police searched for the body of Keith
made a formal confession to Bennett
Topping.[77] He also issued a statement
to the press, through his solicitor, saying that he too was prepared to help the police in their search. Brady was taken
to the moor on 3 July, but he seemed to lose his bearings, blaming changes that had taken place in the intervening
years, and the search was called off at 3:00 pm, by which time a large crowd of press and television reporters had
gathered on the moor.[78]
Topping refused to allow Brady a second visit to the moors,[77] and a few days after his visit Brady wrote a letter to
BBC television reporter Peter Gould, giving some sketchy details of five additional murders that he claimed to have
carried out.[79] Brady refused to identify his alleged victims, however, and the police failed to discover any unsolved
crimes matching the few details that he supplied.[80] Hindley told Topping that she knew nothing of these killings.[77]
On 24 August 1987 police called off their search of
Saddleworth Moor, despite not having found Keith
Bennett's body.[82] Brady was taken to the moor for a
second time on 1 December, but he was once again
unable to locate the burial site. Keith Bennett's body
remains undiscovered as of 2010, although his family
continues to search the moor, over 40 years after his
disappearance.[83]
Although Brady and Hindley had confessed to the

murders of Pauline Reade and Keith Bennett, the
Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided that
nothing would be gained by a further trial; as both were
Hoe Grain leading to Shiny Brook, the area in which Bennett's
[81] already serving life sentences no further punishment
undiscovered body is believed by the police to be buried
could be inflicted, and a second trial might even have
helped Hindley's case for parole by giving her a platform from which to make a public confession.[84]
In 2003 the police launched Operation Maida, and again searched the moor for the body of Keith Bennett. They read
statements from Brady and Hindley, and also studied photographs taken by the pair. Their search was aided by the
use of sophisticated modern equipment, including a US satellite used to look for evidence of soil movement.[85] The
BBC reported on 1 July 2009 however that Greater Manchester Police had officially given up the search for Keith
Bennett, saying that "only a major scientific breakthrough or fresh evidence would see the hunt for his body
restart".[86] Detectives were also reported as saying that they would never again give Brady the attention or the thrill
Moors murders 116
of leading another fruitless search on the moor where they believe Keith Bennett's remains are buried.[87] Donations
from members of the public funded a search of the moor for Bennett's body by volunteers from a Welsh search and
rescue team that began in March 2010.[88]
Perpetrators' backgrounds
Ian Brady
Ian Brady was born in Glasgow as Ian Duncan Stewart on 2 January 1938 to Maggie Stewart, an unmarried
28-year-old tea room waitress. The identity of Brady's father has never been reliably ascertained, although his
mother claimed he was a reporter working for a Glasgow newspaper, who died three months before Brady was born.
Stewart had little support, and after a few months was forced to give her son into the care of Mary and John Sloan, a
local couple with four children of their own. Brady took their name, and became known as Ian Sloan. His mother
continued to visit him throughout his childhood.[89] As a young child he took pleasure in torturing animals; he broke
the hind legs of one dog, set fire to another, and decapitated a cat.[90] Aged nine, Brady visited Loch Lomond with
his family, where he reportedly discovered an affinity for the outdoors, and a few months later the family moved to a
new council house on an overspill estate at Pollok. He was accepted for the Shawlands Academy, a school for above
average pupils.[91] As he grew older Brady's "brutality escalated", and soon he was hurting children smaller than
himself.[90] At Shawlands his behaviour worsened; as a teenager he twice appeared before a juvenile court for
housebreaking. He left the academy aged 15, and took a job as a teaboy at a Harland and Wolff shipyard in Govan.
Nine months later he began working as a butcher's messenger boy. He had a girlfriend, Evelyn Grant, but their
relationship ended when he threatened her with a flick knife after she visited a dance with another boy. He again
appeared before the court, this time with nine charges against him,[92] and shortly before his 17th birthday a Scottish
court put him on probation on the condition that he went to live with his mother,[93] who had by then moved to
Manchester and married an Irish fruit merchant named Pat Brady, who got him a job as a fruit porter at Smithfield
Market.[94]
Within a year of moving to Manchester, Brady was caught with a sack full of lead seals he had stolen and was trying
to smuggle out of the market. Because he was still under 18, he was sentenced to two years in borstal for
"training".[95] He was initially sent to Hatfield but after being discovered drunk on alcohol he had brewed he was
moved to the much tougher unit at Hull.[93] Released on 14 November 1957 Brady returned to Manchester, where he
took a labouring job, which he hated, and was dismissed from another job in a brewery. Deciding to "better himself",
Brady obtained a set of instruction manuals on book-keeping from a local public library, with which he "astonished"
his parents by studying alone in his room for hours.[96] In early 1959, just three months after being released from
borstal, Brady applied for and was offered a clerical job at Millwards Merchandising, a wholesale chemical
distribution company based in Gorton. He was regarded by his work colleagues as a quiet, punctual, but
short-tempered young man. He read books such as Teach Yourself German, and Mein Kampf, as well as works on
Nazi atrocities. He rode a Tiger Cub motorcycle, which he used to visit the Pennines.[97]
Myra Hindley
Myra Hindley (23 July 1942-15 November 2002)[98] was brought up in Gorton, then a tough, working class area of
Manchester, the daughter of Nellie and Bob Hindley. Her mother and alcoholic father beat her regularly as a young
child. The small house the family lived in was in such poor condition that Hindley and her parents had to sleep in the
only available bedroom, she in a single bed next to her parents' double. The family's living conditions deteriorated
further when Hindley's sister, Maureen, was born in 1946. Shortly after the birth, Hindley, then aged five, was sent
by her parents to live with her grandmother, who lived nearby.[99]
Hindley's father had fought in North Africa, Cyprus, and Italy during the Second World War, and had served with
the Parachute Regiment.[100] He had been known in the army as a "hard man" and he expected his daughter to be
Moors murders 117
equally tough; he taught her how to fight, and insisted that she "stick up for herself". When Hindley was aged 8, a
local boy approached her in the street and scratched both of her cheeks with his fingernails, drawing blood. She burst
into tears and ran into her parents' house, to be met by her father who demanded that she "Go and punch him [the
boy], because if you don't I'll leather you!" Hindley found the boy and succeeded in knocking him down with a
sequence of punches, as her father had taught her. As she wrote later, "at eight years old I'd scored my first
victory".[101]
Malcolm MacCulloch, professor of forensic psychiatry at Cardiff University, has suggested that the fight, and the
part that Hindley's father played in it, may be "key pieces of evidence" in trying to understand Hindley's role in the
Moors murders:
The relationship with her father brutalized her [...] She was not only used to violence in the home but rewarded
for it outside. When this happens at a young age it can distort a person's reaction to such situations for life.[102]
One of her closest friends was 13-year old Michael Higgins, who lived in a nearby street. In June 1957 he invited her
to go swimming with friends at a local disused reservoir. A good swimmer, Hindley chose not to go and instead went
out with a friend, Pat Jepson. Higgins drowned in the reservoir, and upon learning of his fate Hindley was deeply
upset, and blamed herself for his death. She collected for a funeral wreath, and his funeral at St Francis' Monastery in
Gorton Lane—the church where Hindley had been baptised a Catholic on 16 August 1942—had a lasting effect on
her.[103] Hindley's mother had only agreed to her father's insistence that she be baptised a Catholic on the condition
that she was not sent to a Catholic school, as her mother believed that "all the monks taught was the catechism".[104]
Hindley was increasingly drawn to the Catholic Church after she started at Ryder Brow Secondary Modern, and
began taking instruction for formal reception into the Church soon after Higgins' funeral. She took the confirmation
name of Veronica, and received her first communion in November 1958. She also became a Godparent to Michael's
nephew, Anthony John.[105] [106] It was also at about this time that Hindley first began bleaching her hair.[107]
Hindley's first job was as a junior clerk at a local electrical engineering firm. She ran errands, made tea, and typed.
She was well liked at the firm, enough so that when she lost her first week's wage packet, the other girls had a
collection to replace it.[108] She had a short relationship with Ronnie Sinclair from Christmas 1958, and became
engaged aged 17. The engagement was called off several months later; Hindley apparently thought Sinclair
immature, and unable to provide her with the life she envisioned for herself.[109]
Shortly after her 17th birthday she changed her hair colour, with a pink rinse. She took judo lessons once a week at a
local school, but found partners reluctant to train with her, as she was often slow to release her grip. She took a job at
Bratby and Hinchliffe, an engineering company in Gorton, but was sacked for absenteeism after six months.[110]
As a couple
In 1961, the 18-year-old Myra Hindley joined Millwards as a typist. She soon became infatuated with Brady, despite
learning that he had a criminal record.[111] Hindley started to keep a diary and, although she had dates with other
men, some of the entries detail her fascination with Brady, whom she eventually spoke to for the first time on 27 July
1961.[112] Over the next few months she continued to make entries, and grew increasingly disillusioned with him,
until 22 December when Brady asked her on a date to the cinema[113] where they watched a film about the
Nuremberg Trials.[39] Their dates together followed a regular pattern; a trip to the cinema, usually to watch an adult
film, and then back to Hindley's house to drink German wine.[114] Brady then gave her reading material, and the pair
spent their work lunch breaks reading aloud to one another from accounts of Nazi atrocities. Hindley began to
emulate an ideal of Aryan perfection, dying her hair blonde and applying thick crimson lipstick.[39] Hindley
expressed concern at some aspects of Brady's character; in a letter to a childhood friend she mentioned an incident
where she had been drugged by Brady, but also wrote of her obsession with him. A few months later, however, she
asked her friend to destroy the letter.[115] In her 30,000-word plea for parole, written in 1978 and 1979, submitted to
Home Secretary Merlyn Rees, Hindley said:
Moors murders 118
Within months he [Brady] had convinced me that there was no God at all: he could have told me that the earth
was flat, the moon was made of green cheese and the sun rose in the west, I would have believed him, such
was his power of persuasion.[116]
Hindley began to change her appearance further, wearing clothing considered risqué such as high boots, short skirts,
and leather jackets, and the two became less sociable to their work colleagues.[117] The couple were regulars at the
library, borrowing books on philosophy, as well as crime and torture. They also read works by the Marquis de Sade,
and Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment.[39] [118] Although she was not a qualified driver (she passed her
test on the third attempt, late in 1963) Hindley often hired a van, in which the two planned bank robberies. Hindley
befriended George Clitheroe, the President of the Cheadle Rifle Club, and on several occasions visited two local
shooting ranges. Clitheroe, although puzzled by her interest, arranged for her to buy a .22 rifle from a gun merchant
in Manchester. She also asked to join a pistol club, but she was a poor shot and allegedly often bad-tempered, so
Clitheroe told her that she was unsuitable; she did though manage to purchase a Webley .45 and a Smith and Wesson
.38 from other members of the club.[119] Brady and Hindley's plans for robbery came to nothing, but they became
interested in photography. Brady already owned a Box Brownie which he used to take photographs of Hindley and
her dog, Puppet, but he upgraded to a more sophisticated model, and also purchased lights, and darkroom equipment.
The pair took photographs of each other that for the time would have been considered explicit. For Hindley, this
demonstrated a marked change from her earlier, more shy nature.[120]
As murderers
Hindley claimed that Brady began to talk about "committing the perfect murder" in July 1963,[121] and often spoke
to her about Meyer Levin's novel Compulsion, published in 1956. The book tells the story of two children from
well-to-do families who attempt to carry out the perfect murder of a 12-year-old boy, and who escape the death
penalty because of their age,[122] a fictionalised account of the Leopold and Loeb case of 1924.
By June 1963 Brady had moved in with Hindley at her grandmother's house in Bannock Street, and on 12 July 1963
the two murdered their first victim, 16-year-old Pauline Reade. Reade had been at school with Hindley's younger
sister, Maureen, and had also been in a short relationship with David Smith, a local boy with three criminal
convictions for minor crimes. Police could find nobody who had seen Reade before she disappeared, and the
15-year-old Smith fell under their suspicion, although he was cleared of any involvement in her death.[123] Their next
victim, John Kilbride, was killed on 23 November 1963. A huge search was undertaken, with over 700 statements
taken, and 500 "missing" posters printed. Eight days after he failed to return home, 2,000 volunteers scoured waste
ground and derelict buildings.[124]
Hindley hired a vehicle a week after Kilbride went missing, and again on 21 December 1963; apparently to make
sure the burial sites had not been disturbed. In February 1964 she bought a second-hand Austin Traveller, but soon
after traded it for a Mini van. On 16 June 1964 twelve-year old Keith Bennett disappeared. His stepfather, Jimmy
Johnson, became a suspect; in the two years following Bennett's disappearance, he was taken for questioning on four
occasions. Detectives searched under the floorboards of the Johnsons' house, and on discovering that the houses in
the row were connected, extended the search to the entire street.[125]
Moors murders 119
Maureen Hindley married David Smith on 15 August

1964. The marriage was hastily arranged and
performed at a registry office, but none of Hindley's
relatives attended; Myra did not approve of the
marriage, and her mother was too
embarrassed—Maureen was seven months pregnant.
The newly-weds moved into Smith's father's house.
The next day Brady suggested that the four take a
day-trip to Lake Windermere. This was the first time
that Brady and Smith had met properly, and Brady was
apparently impressed by Smith's demeanour. The two
David and Maureen Smith, pictured around the time of the murders.
talked about society, the distribution of wealth, and the David Smith's statement to the police led to Brady's arrest.
possibility of robbing a bank. The young Smith was
similarly impressed by Brady, who throughout the day had paid for his food and wine. The trip to the Lake District
was the first of many outings. Hindley was apparently jealous of their relationship, but became closer to her
sister.[126]
In 1964 Hindley, her grandmother, and Brady, were rehoused as part of the post-war slum clearances in Manchester,
to 16 Wardle Brook Avenue in the new overspill estate of Hattersley. Brady and Hindley became friendly with
Patricia Hodges, an 11-year old girl who lived at 12 Wardle Brook Avenue. Hodges accompanied the two on their
trips to Saddleworth Moor to collect peat, something that many of the householders on the new estate did, to improve
the soil in their gardens, which was full of clay and builder's rubble.[127] She remained unharmed; living only a few
doors away, her disappearance would have been easily solved.[128]
Early on Boxing Day 1964 Hindley left her grandmother at a relative's house, and refused to allow her back to
Wardle Brook Avenue that night.[129] On the same day, 10-year-old Lesley Ann Downey disappeared from a funfair
in Ancoats.[130] Despite a huge search she was not found. The following day Hindley brought her grandmother back
home.[131] By February 1965 Patricia Hodges had stopped visiting 16 Wardle Brook Avenue, but David Smith was
still a regular visitor. Brady gave Smith books to read, and the two discussed robbery and murder.[132] On Hindley's
23rd birthday, her sister and brother-in-law, who had until then been living with relatives, were rehoused in
Underwood Court, a block of flats not far from Wardle Brook Avenue. The two couples began to see each other
more regularly, but usually only on Brady's terms.[133] [134]
During the 1990s, Hindley claimed that she only took part in the killings because Brady had drugged her, was
blackmailing her with pornographic pictures he had taken of her, and had threatened to kill her younger sister,
Maureen.[111] In a 2008 television documentary series on female serial killers broadcast on ITV3, Hindley's solicitor,
Andrew McCooey, reported that she had said to him:
I ought to have been hanged. I deserved it. My crime was worse than Brady's because I enticed the children
and they would never have entered the car without my role [...] I have always regarded myself as worse than
Brady.[135]
Moors murders 120
Incarceration
Brady
Following his conviction, Brady was moved to Durham
prison, where he asked to live in solitary
confinement.[136] He spent 19 years in mainstream
prisons before he was declared criminally insane in
November 1985 and sent to the high-security Ashworth
Psychiatric Hospital;[137] he has since made it clear that
he never wants to be released.[138] The trial judge had
recommended that his life sentence should mean life,
and successive Home Secretaries have agreed with that
decision. In 1982, the Lord Chief Justice Lord Lane
said of Brady: "this is the case if ever there is to be one
Ashworth Hospital, where Ian Brady is incarcerated as of 2010
when a man should stay in prison till he dies".[139]
In contrast to the common belief that serial killers often continue with their crimes until they are caught, Brady
claimed in 2005 that the Moors murders were "merely an existential exercise of just over a year, which was
concluded in December 1964". By then, he went on to claim, he and Hindley had turned their attention to armed
robbery, for which they had begun to prepare by acquiring guns and vehicles.[140] In 2001 Brady wrote a book called
The Gates of Janus, which was published by the underground American publishing firm Feral House. The book,
Brady's analysis of serial murder and specific serial killers, sparked outrage when announced in Britain.[141]
Winnie Johnson, the mother of undiscovered victim 12-year-old Keith Bennett, received a letter from Brady at the
end of 2005 in which she said he claimed that he could take police to within 20 yards (18 m) of her son's body, but
the authorities would not allow it. However, Brady did not refer directly to Keith by name and did not claim he could
take investigators directly to the grave but spoke of the "clarity" of his recollections.[142] In early 2006, prison
authorities intercepted a package addressed to Brady from a female friend, containing 50 paracetamol pills—a
potentially lethal dose—hidden inside a hollowed out crime novel.[143]
The death in November 2007 of John Straffen, who had spent 55 years in prison for a triple child murder, meant that
Brady became the longest serving prisoner in England and Wales.[144] As of 2010, he remains incarcerated in
Ashworth. After Brady began a hunger strike in 1999 he was force fed, fell ill, and was transferred to another
hospital for tests.[145] He recovered, and in March 2000 asked for a judicial review of the decision to force-feed him,
but was refused permission.[146]
Myra gets the potentially fatal brain condition, whilst I have to fight simply to die. I have had enough. I want
nothing, my objective is to die and release myself from this once and for all. So you see my death strike is
rational and pragmatic. I'm only sorry I didn't do it decades ago, and I'm eager to leave this cesspit in a
coffin.[146]
Hindley
Immediately following the trial Hindley lodged an unsuccessful appeal against her conviction.[147] Brady and
Hindley corresponded by letter until 1971, when she ended their relationship. The two remained in sporadic contact
for several months,[148] however Hindley had met and fallen in love with one of her prison officers, Patricia Cairns.
A former assistant governor claimed that such relationships were not unusual in Holloway at that time, as "many of
the officers were gay, and involved in relationships either with one another or with inmates".[149] Hindley
successfully petitioned to have her status as a category A prisoner changed to category B, which enabled Governor
Dorothy Wing to take her on a walk round Hampstead Heath, part of her unofficial policy of reintroducing her
Moors murders 121
charges to the outside world when she felt they were ready. The excursion caused a furore in the national press and
earned Wing an official rebuke from the then Home Secretary, Robert Carr.[150] With Cairns' assistance and the
outside contacts of another prisoner, Maxine Croft, Hindley planned a prison escape, but it was thwarted when
impressions of the prison keys were intercepted by an off-duty policeman. Cairns was sentenced to six years in jail
for her part in the plot.[151] While in prison, Hindley wrote her autobiography, which remains unpublished.[152]
Hindley was told that she should spend 25 years in prison before being considered for parole. The Lord Chief Justice
agreed with that recommendation in 1982, but in January 1985 Home Secretary Leon Brittan increased her tariff to
30 years.[139] By that time, Hindley claimed to be a reformed Roman Catholic. Ann West, the mother of Lesley Ann
Downey, was at the centre of a campaign to ensure that Hindley was never released from prison, and until West's
death in February 1999 she regularly gave television and newspaper interviews whenever Hindley's release was
rumoured.[153]
In 1990, then Home Secretary David Waddington imposed a whole life tariff on Hindley, after she confessed to
having a greater involvement in the murders than she had previously admitted.[139] Hindley was not informed of the
decision until 1994, when a Law Lords ruling obliged the Prison Service to inform all life sentence prisoners of the
minimum period they must serve in prison before being considered for parole.[154] In 1997 the Parole Board ruled
that Hindley was low risk and should be moved to an open prison.[139] She rejected the idea and was moved to a
medium security prison, however the House of Lords ruling left open the possibility of later freedom. Between
December 1997 and March 2000 Hindley made three separate appeals against her life tariff, claiming she was a
reformed woman and no longer a danger to society, but each was rejected by the courts.[155] [156]
When in 2002 another life sentence prisoner challenged the Home Secretary's power to set minimum terms, Hindley
and hundreds of others whose tariffs had been increased by politicians, looked likely to be released from prison.[157]
Hindley's release seemed imminent and plans were made by supporters for her to be given a new identity.[158] Lord
Longford, a devout Roman Catholic, campaigned to secure the release of "celebrated" criminals, and Myra Hindley
in particular, which earned him constant derision from the public and the press. He described Hindley as a
"delightful" person and said "you could loathe what people did but should not loathe what they were because human
personality was sacred even though human behaviour was very often appalling".[159] Home Secretary David
Blunkett ordered Greater Manchester Police to find new charges against her, to prevent her release from prison. The
investigation was headed by Superintendent Tony Brett, and initially looked at charging Hindley with the murders of
Pauline Reade and Keith Bennett, but the advice given by government lawyers was that because of the DPP's
decision taken 15 years earlier a new trial would probably be considered an abuse of process.[160]
Moors murders 122
Aftermath
David Smith became "reviled by the people of
Manchester", despite having been instrumental in
bringing Brady and Hindley to justice.[161] While her
sister was on trial, Maureen—eight months
pregnant—was attacked in the lift of the building in
which she and David lived. Their home was vandalised,
and hate mail was regularly posted through their
letterbox. Maureen feared for her children: "I couldn't
let my children out of my sight when they were little.
They were too young to tell them why they had to stay
in, to explain why they couldn't go out to play like all
the other children."[162]
Part of Stalybridge Country Park, where Hindley's ashes were
After knifing another man during a fight, in an attack scattered in 2003
he claimed was triggered by the abuse he had suffered
since the trial, Smith was sentenced to three years in jail in 1969.[161] In the same year, Maureen asked the local
authority to take her children into care; she moved from Underwood Court to a single-bedroom property, and found
work in a department store. Subjected to whispering campaigns and petitions to remove her from the estate where
she lived, she received no support from her family—her mother had supported Myra during the trial. Her father left
home when he discovered that his wife had been having an affair with another man, whom she subsequently married.
On his release from prison, David Smith moved in with the girl who became his second wife, and won custody of his
three sons. Maureen managed to repair the relationship with her mother, and moved into a council property in
Gorton. She divorced Smith in 1973,[163] and married a lorry driver, Bill Scott, with whom she had a daughter.[164]
Maureen and her immediate family made regular visits to see Hindley, who reportedly adored her niece. In 1980
Maureen suffered a brain haemorrhage; Hindley was granted permission to visit her sister in hospital, but she arrived
an hour after Maureen's death.[165] In 1972 David Smith was acquitted of the murder of his father, who was suffering
from an incurable cancer. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to two days detention.[166] He
remarried and moved to Lincolnshire with his three sons, in an attempt to rebuild his life.[161] [167] He was
exonerated of any participation in the Moors murders by Hindley's confession in 1987.
Joan Reade, Pauline Reade's mother, was admitted to Springfield Mental Hospital in Manchester. She was however
present, under heavy sedation, at the funeral of her daughter on 7 August 1987.[168] Five years after their son was
murdered, Sheila and Patrick Kilbride divorced.[169] The Kilbrides, along with Ann West, were present at the funeral
of Maureen Smith, believing that Hindley might make an appearance. Patrick Kilbride mistook Bill Scott's daughter
from a previous relationship, Ann Wallace, for Hindley. He tried to attack her, but was knocked to the ground by
another mourner before the police were called to restore order.[170] Before her death, aged 70, Sheila Kilbride said:
"If she [Hindley] ever comes out of jail I'll kill her."[171] Ann West, mother of Lesley Ann Downey, died in 1999
from cancer of the liver. Since her daughter's death she had campaigned to ensure that Hindley remained in prison,
and doctors said that the stress had contributed to the severity of her illness.[172] Winnie Johnson, mother of Keith
Bennett, continues to visit Saddleworth Moor, where it is believed that the body of her son is buried.[173]
The house in which Brady and Hindley lived on Wardle Brook Avenue, and where Edward Evans was murdered,
was demolished by the local council.[174]
Hindley died as a result of bronchial pneumonia caused by heart disease, at the age of 60, on 15 November 2002.[175]
Cameras "crowded the pavement" outside, but none of Hindley's relatives were among the congregation of six who
attended a short service at Cambridge crematorium, as they were living anonymously in Manchester under assumed
names. Such was the strength of feeling more than 35 years after the murders that a reported 20 local undertakers
Moors murders 123
refused to handle her cremation.[176] Four months later Hindley's ashes were scattered by a former lover, a woman
she had met in prison,[177] less than 10 miles (16 km) from Saddleworth Moor in Stalybridge Country Park. Fears
were expressed that the news might result in visitors choosing to avoid the park, a local beauty spot, or even to the
park being vandalised.[178] Less than two weeks after Hindley's death, on 25 November 2002, the Law Lords agreed
that judges, not politicians, should decide how long a criminal spends behind bars, and thus stripped the Home
Secretary of the power to set minimum sentences.[179]
A 1977 BBC television debate discussed arguments for and against Myra Hindley's release, with contributions from
the parents of some of the murdered children.[180] The case has been dramatised on television twice; in Longford
(2006), and See No Evil: The Moors Murders (2006).
Lasting notoriety
The murders might have remained a footnote in criminal history but for the fact that one of the perpetrators was a
young woman. The photographs and tape recording of the torture of Lesley Ann Downey, demonstrated in court to a
disbelieving audience, and the cool responses of Brady and Hindley, have helped ensure the lasting notoriety of their
crimes. Brady, who says he does not want to be released, is rarely mentioned in the news, but Hindley's repeated
insistence on her innocence, and attempts to secure her release from prison before her death, resulted in her
becoming a figure of hate in the national media.[181] Retribution was a common theme amongst those who sought to
keep her locked away, and even Hindley's mother insisted that she should die in prison—although out of fear for her
daughter's safety, and the desire to avoid the possibility that one of the victims' relatives might kill her. Some
commentators expressed the view that of the two, Hindley was the "more evil".[182] In 1987 she admitted that the
plea for parole she had submitted to the Home Secretary eight years earlier was "on the whole [...] a pack of
lies",[183] and to some reporters her co-operation in the searches on Saddleworth Moor "appeared a cynical gesture
aimed at ingratiating herself to the parole authorities".[181]
References
Notes
[1] Hindley: I wish I'd been hanged (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 661139. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, 29 February 2000, , retrieved 11 August
2009
[2] Staff 2007, p. 7
[3] Staff 2007, p. 294
[4] Topping 1989, pp. 82–85
[5] Staff 2007, p. 137
[6] Staff 2007, p. 146
[7] Staff 2007, p. 141
[8] Topping 1989, pp. 90–92
[9] Staff 2007, p. 170
[10] Topping 1989, pp. 95–96
[11] Topping 1989, pp. 101–105
[12] Topping 1989, p. 34
[13] Staff 2007, pp. 184–186
[14] Topping 1989, p. 22
[15] Staff 2007, pp. 183–184
[16] Topping 1970, p. 31
[17] Staff 2007, p. 186
[18] Gibson & Wilcox 2006, p. 67
[19] Ritchie 1988, p. 78
[20] Topping 1989, p. 121
[21] Topping 1989, pp. 120–121
[22] Ritchie 1988, p. 85
[23] Staff 2007, pp. 193–194
[24] Topping 1989, pp. 122–124
Moors murders 124
[25] Topping 1989, p. 122

[26] Topping 1989, p. 107
[27] Topping 1989, p. 35
[28] Topping 1989, pp. 35–36
[29] Topping 1989, p. 33
[30] Ritchie 1988, p. 91
[31] Ritchie 1988, pp. 93–94
[32] "Two women at 'bodies on moors' trial cover their ears" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 895/ 125/ 37545159w16/
purl=rc1_TTDA_0_CS151743131& dyn=12!xrn_55_0_CS151743131& hst_1?sw_aep=mclib) (subscription required), The Times (Times
Digital Archive) D (56616): 9, 27 April 1966, , retrieved 11 August 2009
[33] Topping 1970, p. 37
[34] "Couple on Moors Murder Charge" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 552/ 371/ 35114420w16/
Digital Archive) C (56459): 8, 22 October 1965, , retrieved 11 August 2009
[35] "Couple in Court Two Minutes" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 552/ 371/ 35114420w16/
Digital Archive) G (56465): 15, 29 October 1965, , retrieved 11 August 2009
[36] "Clerk Accused Of Three Murders" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 535/ 223/ 73522511w16/
Digital Archive) C (56495): 17, 3 December 1965, , retrieved 25 September 2009
[37] "Hearing Of Moors Murder Case In Camera" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 535/ 223/ 73522511w16/
Digital Archive) A (56498): 6, 7 December 1965, , retrieved 25 September 2009
[38] "Prosecution tells how a youth of 17 died" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 758/ 656/ 39554341w16/
Digital Archive) A (56499): 15, 8 December 1965, , retrieved 28 September 2009
[39] Davenport-Hines, Richard, "Hindley, Myra (1942–2002)" (http:/ / www. oxforddnb. com/ view/ article/ 77394) (subscription required),
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, , retrieved 5 July 2009
[40] Staff 2007, p. 213
[41] Staff 2007, p. 222
[42] "Boy tricked into seeing murder, moors trial Q.C. says" (http:/ / archive. timesonline. co. uk/ tol/ viewArticle.
arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1966-04-20-16-001& pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1966-04-20-16), The Times, 20 April 1966, ,
retrieved 16 September 2009
[43] Staff 2007, p. 225
[44] "Mr Godfrey Heilpern" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 374/ 527/ 35176649w16/ purl=rc1_TTDA_0_CS237861029&
dyn=15!xrn_2_0_CS237861029& hst_1?sw_aep=mclib) (Registration required), The Times (Times Digital Archive) G (58774): 14, 5 May
1973,
[45] UK CPI inflation numbers based on data available from Measuring Worth: UK CPI (http:/ / www. measuringworth. org/ ukearncpi/ ).
[46] Staff 2007, pp. 225–226
[47] Topping 1989, p. 143
[48] Topping 1989, p. 38
[49] Staff 2007, pp. 227–228
[50] Topping 1989, p. 39
[51] "Life sentences on couple in moors case" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 695/ 969/ 71907494w16/
purl=rc1_TTDA_0_CS17787559& dyn=3!xrn_3_0_CS17787559& hst_1?sw_aep=mclib) (subscription required), The Times (Times Digital
Archive), 7 May 1966, , retrieved 29 July 2009
[52] Carmichael 2003, p. 2
[53] Obituary: Myra Hindley (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ 452614. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, 15 November 2002, , retrieved 12 June
2007
[54] Staff 2007, p. 229
[55] Ritchie 1988, p. 252
[56] Topping 1989, p. 10
[57] Topping 1989, p. 13
[58] Ritchie 1988, pp. 260–261
[59] Topping 1989, pp. 42–43
[60] Ritchie 1988, p. 262
[61] Topping 1989, pp. 43–52
[62] Ritchie 1988, pp. 264–265
[63] Topping 1989, p. 44
Moors murders 125
[64] Topping 1989, p. 55

[65] Ritchie 1988, p. 266
[66] Topping 1989, pp. 72–75
[67] Ritchie 1988, p. 268
[68] Topping 1989, p. 153
[69] Topping 1989, pp. 146–147
[70] Topping 1989, p. 147
[71] Topping 1989, p. 158
[72] Ritchie 1988, p. 269
[73] Topping 1989, pp. 160–164
[74] Topping 1989, pp. 171–172
[75] Ritchie 1988, pp. 270–274
[76] Ritchie 1988, p. 274
[77] Ritchie 1988, p. 276
[78] Topping 1989, pp. 188–196
[79] Topping 1989, p. 206
[80] Topping 1989, p. 232
[81] Topping 1989, p. 253
[82] Topping 1989, p. 223
[83] Staff 2007, p. 298
[84] Topping 1989, p. 249
[85] Wright, Stephen (7 June 2008), Spy satellite used in fresh bid to reveal Moors Murderers final secret – their last victim's body (http:/ /
www. dailymail. co. uk/ news/ article-1024768/ Spy-satellite-used-fresh-bid-reveal-Moors-Murderers-final-secret--victims-body. html),
dailymail.co.uk, , retrieved 5 October 2009
[86] Moors body search is called off (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 8127883. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, 1 January 2009, ,
retrieved 1 July 2009
[87] Parmenter, Tom (2 July 2009), Brady Banned From Fresh Moors Searches (http:/ / news. sky. com/ skynews/ Home/ UK-News/
Ian-Brady-Is-Banned-From-Fresh-Moors-Searches-For-Victim-Keith-Bennett/ Article/
200907115327570?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_3), news.sky.com, , retrieved 24 September 2009
[88] Moors Murders: Donations fund search for Keith Bennett (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 8591178. stm), BBC News,
27 March 2010, , retrieved 27 March 2010
[89] Ritchie 1988, pp. 17–19
[90] Furio 2001, pp. 67–68
[91] Ritchie 1988, pp. 19–20
[92] Ritchie 1988, pp. 20–21
[93] Topping 1989, p. 24
[94] Staff 2007, p. 122
[95] Staff 2007, pp. 122–123
[96] Staff 2007, p. 123
[97] Ritchie 1988, pp. 23–25
[98] Ritchie 1988, p. 2
[99] Staff 2007, pp. 39–46
[100] Staff 2007, p. 38
[101] Staff 2007, pp. 49–50
[102] Staff 2007, p. 50
[103] Ritchie 1988, p. 7
[104] 2007, p. 36
[105] Ritchie 1988, p. 11
[106] Staff 2007, pp. 77–80
[107] Ritchie 1988, p. 9
[108] Ritchie 1988, p. 8
[109] Ritchie 1988, pp. 12–13
[110] Ritchie 1988, p. 14
[111] McVeigh, Karen (16 November 2002), "Death at 60 for the woman who came to personify evil" (http:/ / news. scotsman. com/
moorsmurderers/ Death-at-60-for-the. 2378298. jp), The Scotsman, , retrieved 17 February 2009
[112] Ritchie 1988, p. 27
[113] Ritchie 1988, p. 29
[114] Ritchie 1988, p. 31
[115] Ritchie 1988, p. 32
Moors murders 126
[116] Topping 2007, pp. 139–141

[117] Ritchie 1988, pp. 32–33
[118] Ritchie 1988, p. 35
[119] Ritchie 1988, pp. 37–40
[120] Ritchie 1988, pp. 40–41
[121] Topping 1989, p. 81
[122] Topping 1989, p. 80
[123] Ritchie 1988, pp. 41–45
[124] Ritchie 1988, pp. 46–47
[125] Ritchie 1988, pp. 50–55
[126] Ritchie 1988, pp. 56–58
[127] Topping 1970, p. 137
[128] Ritchie 1988, pp. 62–65
[129] Ritchie 1988, p. 65
[130] Ritchie 1988, p. 67
[131] Ritchie 1988, p. 69
[132] Ritchie 1988, pp. 70–71
[133] Ritchie 1988, p. 73
[134] Ritchie 1988, pp. 71–73
[135] Edge, Simon (11 October 2008), "Evil of the Lady Killers" (http:/ / docs. newsbank. com/ openurl?ctx_ver=z39. 88-2004& rft_id=info:sid/
iw. newsbank. com:AWNB:EXSC& rft_val_format=info:ofi/ fmt:kev:mtx:ctx& rft_dat=123C64B3A12DC640&
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[136] "Brady chooses to remain alone" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 535/ 223/ 73522511w16/
Digital Archive) D (56656): 1, 13 June 1966, , retrieved 25 September 2009
[137] Ian Brady: A fight to die (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 672028. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, 3 October 2000, , retrieved 12 June 2007
[138] Ian Brady seeks public hearing (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 2306777. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, 7 October 2002, , retrieved 12 June
2007
[139] What will Hindley's lawyers argue? (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ special_report/ 1997/ myra_hindley/ 37335. stm), news.bbc.co.uk,
7 December 1997, , retrieved 12 June 2007
[140] Gould, Peter (27 October 2005), Brady claims murders 'had ended' (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 4382600. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, ,
retrieved 11 August 2009
[141] US publisher defends Brady book (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 1605638. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, 18 October 2001, , retrieved 22
September 2009
[142] Brady writes to victim's mother (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ manchester/ 4735068. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, 21 February 2006, ,
[143] Brady drugs smuggling bid foiled (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ merseyside/ 4657436. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, 28 January 2006, ,
retrieved 12 June 2007
[144] "UK's longest-serving prisoner, Straffen, dies" (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ uknews/ 1569929/
UK's-longest-serving-prisoner,-Straffen,-dies. html), The Telegraph, 20 November 2007, , retrieved 22 September 2009
[145] Finn, Gary (30 October 1999), Ian Brady force fed in secure hospital (http:/ / www. independent. co. uk/ news/ uk/ crime/
ian-brady-force-fed-in-secure-hospital-739610. html), independent.co.uk, , retrieved 25 September 2009
[146] Tran, Mark (10 March 2000), Brady loses bid to die (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ uk/ 2000/ mar/ 10/ marktran), guardian.co.uk, ,
[147] "Myra Hindley Loses Murder Appeal" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 535/ 223/ 73522511w16/
purl=rc1_TTDA_0_CS18443090& dyn=29!xrn_2_0_CS18443090& hst_1?sw_aep=mclib) (subscription required), The Times (Times Digital
Archive) G (56765): 1, 18 October 1966, , retrieved 25 September 2009
[148] Ritchie 1988, p. 162
[149] Staff 2007, p. 250
[150] Ritchie 1988, pp. 164–166
[151] Staff 2007, pp. 250–253
[152] Staff, Duncan (20 February 2007), The Making of Myra: Hindley's jail love affair (http:/ / www. dailymail. co. uk/ femail/ article-437222/
The-Making-Myra-Hindleys-jail-love-affair. html), dailymail.co.uk, , retrieved 1 October 2009
[153] Last wish of Moors murder mother (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 277440. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, 11 February 1999, , retrieved 5 July
2009
[154] "Timetable of Moors murders case" (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ crime/ article/ 0,2763,841020,00. html), The Guardian, 15 November
2002, , retrieved 12 June 2007
[155] Regina v. Secretary of State For The Home Department, Ex Parte Hindley (http:/ / www. publications. parliament. uk/ pa/ ld199900/
ldjudgmt/ jd000330/ hind. htm), House of Lords, 30 March 2000, , retrieved 16 March 2007
Moors murders 127
[156] 1966: Moors murderers jailed for life (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ onthisday/ hi/ dates/ stories/ may/ 6/ newsid_2512000/ 2512119. stm),
news.bbc.co.uk, 6 May 1966, , retrieved 12 June 2007
[157] Killer challenges 'whole life' tariff (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk_politics/ 2345049. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, 21 October 2002, ,
[158] "Hindley could be freed 'in months'", Evening Standard, 10 September 2002
[159] Lord Longford: Aristocratic moral crusader (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk_politics/ 430115. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, 3 August 2001, ,
[160] Staff 2007, pp. 17–18
[161] Topping 1989, pp. 64–65
[162] Ritchie 1988, p. 232
[163] "Decree for wife of Moors witness" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 535/ 223/ 73522511w16/
purl=rc1_TTDA_0_CS35879025& dyn=42!xrn_67_0_CS35879025& hst_1?sw_aep=mclib) (registration required), The Times (Times Digital
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[164] Ritchie 1988, pp. 232–239
[165] Ritchie 1988, pp. 238–240
[166] "Moors case witness cleared" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 535/ 223/ 73522511w16/
purl=rc1_TTDA_0_CS34568040& dyn=42!xrn_66_0_CS34568040& hst_1?sw_aep=mclib) (registration required), The Times (Times Digital
Archive) D (58626): 2, 8 November 1972, , retrieved 25 September 2009
[167] Ritchie 1988, p. 249
[168] Ritchie 1988, p. 45
[169] Ritchie 1988, p. 49
[170] Ritchie 1988, p. 240
[171] Herbert, Ian (16 November 2002), I have no compassion for her. I hope she goes to Hell. I wanted her to suffer like I have (http:/ / www.
independent. co. uk/ news/ uk/ crime/ i-have-no-compassion-for-her-i-hope-she-goes-to-hell-i-wanted-her-to-suffer-like-i-have-609095. html),
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[172] Moors murder mother was 'incredible' (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 276809. stm), bbc.co.uk, 10 February 1999, , retrieved 29
September 2009
[173] Gould, Peter (1 July 2009), What does Ian Brady know? (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 8129131. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, , retrieved 29
September 2009
[174] Bennett, David (16 November 2002), "A death that will go unmourned" (http:/ / www. manchestereveningnews. co. uk/ news/ s/ 24/
24409_a_death_that_will_go_unmourned. html), Manchester Evening News, , retrieved 5 July 2009
[175] Inquest tribute to Hindley's victims (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ 2489539. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, 18 November 2002, ,
retrieved 1 October 2009
[176] Addley, Esther (21 November 2002), Funeral pariah (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ uk/ 2002/ nov/ 21/ ukcrime. estheraddley),
guardian.co.uk, , retrieved 29 September 2009
[177] Staff 2007, p. 18
[178] "Hindley's ashes "scattered in park"" (http:/ / docs. newsbank. com/ openurl?ctx_ver=z39. 88-2004& rft_id=info:sid/ iw. newsbank.
com:AWNB:MENB& rft_val_format=info:ofi/ fmt:kev:mtx:ctx& rft_dat=0F9C7BC5D0C70968& svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&
req_dat=1054640702C8DBC0) (subscription required), Manchester Evening News, 27 February 2003, , retrieved 8 August 2009
[179] Raising killers' hopes of freedom (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 2511361. stm), news.bbc.co.uk, 25 November 2002, , retrieved 12
June 2007
[180] "No Way To Consider Clemency" (http:/ / infotrac. galegroup. com/ itw/ infomark/ 535/ 223/ 73522511w16/
Digital Archive) A (60052): 13, 11 July 1977, , retrieved 25 September 2009
[181] Stanford, Peter (16 November 2002), Myra Hindley (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ news/ 2002/ nov/ 16/ guardianobituaries. ukcrime),
guardian.co.uk, , retrieved 25 September 2009
[182] Ritchie 1988, pp. 281–290
[183] Topping 2007, p. 140
Bibliography
• Carmichael, Kay (2003), Sin and Forgiveness: New Responses in a Changing World, Ashgate Publishing,
ISBN 0-7546-3406-X
• Furio, Jennifer (2001), Team killers, Algora Publishing, ISBN 978-1-892941-62-6
• Gibson, Dirk Cameron; Wilcox, Dennis L. (2006), Serial murder and media circuses, Greenwood Publishing
Group, ISBN 978-0-275-99064-0
• Ritchie, Jean (1988), Myra Hindley—Inside the Mind of a Murderess, Angus & Robertson, ISBN 0-207-15882-7
• Staff, Duncan (2007), The lost boy, London: Bantam Press, ISBN 978-0-593056-92-9
Moors murders 128
• Topping, Peter (1989), Topping: The Autobiography of the Police Chief in the Moors Murder Case, Angus &
Robertson, ISBN 0-207-16480-0
Further reading
• Boar, Roger; Blundell, Nigel (1988), The World's Most Infamous Murders, Mass Market Paperback,
ISBN 0-425-10887-2
• Goodman, Jonathan (1986), The Moors Murders: The Trial of Myra Hindley and Ian Brady, David & Charles,
ISBN 0-7153-9064-3
• Hansford Johnson, Pamela (1967), On Iniquity, Macmillan
• Harrison, Fred (1986), Brady and Hindley: The Genesis of the Moors Murders, Grafton, ISBN 0-906798-70-1
• Potter, John Deane (1967), The Monsters Of The Moors, Ballantine Books
• Robins, Joyce (1993), Serial Killers and Mass Murderers: 100 Tales of Infamy, Barbarism and Horrible Crime,
Bounty Books, ISBN 1-85152-363-4
• Williams, Emlyn (1992), Beyond Belief: A Chronicle of Murder and its Detection, Pan, ISBN 0-330-02088-9
External links
• The official Keith Bennett website (http://keithbennett.moonfruit.com)
Patrick Mackay 129
Patrick Mackay
Patrick Mackay
Birth name: Patrick David Mackay
Born: September 25, 1952

England
Killings
Number of victims: 3-11
Span of killings: February, 1974–March,

1975
Date apprehended: March, 1975
Patrick Mackay (born September 25, 1952) is a serial killer who confessed to murdering eleven people in England
in the mid 1970s.
Early life
As a child, Mackay was frequently a victim of physical abuse at the hands of his violent, alcoholic father Harold.
When Mackay was ten, Harold died from complications of alcoholism and a weak heart. His final words to his son
were 'remember to be good'.[1] Patrick was said to be unable to come to terms with the loss, telling people Harold
was still alive and keeping a photograph of his father on his person.
Later in his youth, he suffered from extreme tantrums and fits of anger, indulged in animal cruelty and arson (at one
point setting the pet tortoise on fire), bullied younger children, stole from elderly women's homes and people in the
street, and even attempted to kill his mother and aunt. He also attempted to kill a younger boy, and later said he'd
have succeeded had he not been restrained,[2] and attempted to set fire to a Catholic church. Because of such
incidents, he spent his teenage years in and out of mental homes and institutions. At 15, he was diagnosed as a
psychopath by a psychiatrist, Dr. Leonard Carr. Carr predicted Mackay would grow up into a 'cold, psychopathic
killer'.[2]
Patrick Mackay 130
Adulthood and murders

As he entered adulthood, Mackay developed a fascination with Nazism, calling himself "Franklin Bollvolt The First"
and filling his flat with Nazi memorabilia. He lived in London and was frequently drunk or on drugs. In 1973, near
his mother's home in Kent, he met and was befriended by Father Anthony Crean, a priest. Regardless, Mackay broke
into Crean's home and stole a check for £30. Arrested and prosecuted by the police, he was ordered to pay the fine
back but never did. The incident caused a rift between the two and Mackay returned to London.[3] It was around this
time that Mackay said that he had drowned a tramp in the River Thames.
On March 21, 1975, then aged 22, Mackay used an axe to kill Father Crean, hacking through the victim's skull and
watching him bleed to death. He was swiftly arrested and was soon considered by police to be a suspect in at least a
dozen other killings over the previous two years, most victims being elderly women who had been stabbed or
strangled during robberies. Mackay bragged that he had murdered eleven people.
Mackay was charged with five murders, but two charges were dropped through lack of evidence. In November 1975
he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. He is reported to be among the 50 or so prisoners in the United
Kingdom who have been issued with a whole life tariff and are unlikely ever to be released from prison.
External links
• Account of MacKay's crimes [4]
References
[1] Patrick Mackay, psychopathic repeat killer (http:/ / www. crimelibrary. com/ notorious_murders/ mass/ patrick_mackay/ 2. html) - Crime
Library article part 2
[4] http:/ / www. crimelibrary. com/ notorious_murders/ mass/ patrick_mackay/ index. html
Peter Manuel 131
Peter Manuel
Peter Manuel
Peter Manuel mug shot

Birth name: Peter Thomas Anthony Manuel
Also known as: The Beast of Birkenshaw
Born: March 13, 1927

New York, United States
Died: July 11, 1958 (aged 31)
Cause of death: Hanging
Killings
Number of victims: Murders: 8

confessed 18+
Country: Scotland
Date apprehended: 13 January 1958
Peter Thomas Anthony Manuel (13 March 1927 – 11 July 1958) was a United States-born Scottish serial killer
who is known to have murdered seven people across Lanarkshire and southern Scotland between 1956 and his arrest
in January 1958, although he is suspected of having killed as many as eighteen people. Prior to his arrest, the media
nicknamed the unidentified killer the Beast of Birkenshaw. Manuel was hanged in HMP Barlinnie for his crimes on
11 July 1958, and was the second to last prisoner to do so.
Early life
Manuel was born in 1927 to Scottish parents in New York; the family moved to Detroit before emigrating back to
Britain in 1932, this time to Birkenshaw in Lanarkshire. From childhood, possibly due to bullying, he was a loner,
and was known to the local police as a petty thief by the age of ten. Aged sixteen, he committed a string of sexual
attacks that resulted in him serving nine years in HMP Peterhead, and served further sentences for rape before
beginning his killing spree in 1956.
Peter Manuel 132
Murders
Whilst Manuel confessed to killing eighteen people whilst in custody, he was tried for the murders of only eight
people in 1958. One of the cases against him was thrown out of court; another, committed in England, was attributed
to him following his death.
Anne Kneilands: 17. On 2 January 1956, Kneilands was stalked onto an East Kilbride golfcourse, where she was
bludgeoned to death with a length of iron. Although he was questioned by police about the murder and would
confess to it two years later, Manuel escaped arrest when his father gave him an alibi. He was charged with this
murder in 1958, but the case against him would be dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Marion Watt, Vivienne Watt, and Margaret Brown: 45, 16, and 41. Marion, her daughter Vivienne, and her sister
Margaret, were shot to death in their home in Burnside, Glasgow, on 17 September 1956. Manuel was out on bail for
a burglary at a nearby colliery at the time of the murders, and was suspected by officers in charge of the manhunt for
the Watts’ killer, but he once again evaded capture following the arrest of Marion’s husband, William. Although
released two months later, he was assumed guilty of the murders until 1958, when the Smart family were gunned
down in their home just a few miles away.
Sydney Dunn: 36. Manuel shot and killed his fifth victim, taxi driver Sydney Dunn, on 8 December 1957 whilst
looking for work in Newcastle. Dunn’s body was found on moorlands in Northumbria soon after, but by this time,
Manuel had already returned to Lanarkshire. As with the case of Anne Kneilands, there remains some doubt as to
whether or not Manuel did indeed kill Dunn; an inquiry into the murder, held a fortnight after the killer was hanged
at Barlinnie, officially tied the crime to him after a button found in Dunn's taxi was matched to one of his jackets.
Isabelle Cooke: 17. Cooke disappeared after leaving her Mount Vernon home to go to a dance at Uddingston
Grammar School on 28 December 1957. Manuel stalked her, strangled her, and then buried her in a nearby field; he
would later lead officers to the spot where he’d disposed of her body. As with Dunn’s murder twenty days earlier,
Cooke’s disappearance was not initially connected to Manuel.
Peter, Doris, and Michael Smart: 45, 42, and 10. The Smarts were shot to death in their Uddingston home on 1
January 1958. Manuel then stayed in their household for nearly a week, eating leftovers from a Hogmanay meal and
even feeding the family cat, before stealing some brand-new banknotes that Peter Smart had been keeping for a
holiday, and taking the family car and dumping it nearby. Ironically, Manuel gave a lift in this car to a police officer
investigating the disappearance of Isabelle Cooke, and even told him that he felt the police weren’t looking in the
right places. It was only following the Smarts’ murders that police realized a serial killer was on the loose, leading to
the exoneration of William Watt.
Arrest, trial and execution

Although many police officers who were familiar with Manuel suspected him of carrying out these murders, they
were unable to prove it until shortly after the Smarts’ murder, when some banknotes Manuel had been using to pay
for drinks in east-end Glasgow pubs were found to be from the batch stolen from their household by the killer.
Initially denying everything, he confessed to these murders, and more than a dozen others, after his mother
confronted him at the police station where he was being held.
Manuel was tried for murder at the Glasgow High Court; in a move that astounded many present, he sacked his
lawyers and conducted his defence by himself. Although the judge, Lord Cameron, admitted that Manuel conducted
his defence “with a skill that is quite remarkable”, the killer was unable to convince the jury of an insanity plea, and
he was found guilty of all charges against him, except for that of Anne Kneilands, which had been dropped due to a
lack of evidence. On 11 July 1958, Manuel was hanged on the gallows at Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow. His last words
are reported to have been, "Turn up the radio, and I’ll go quietly".
Contrary to what is sometimes believed, Manuel was not the last criminal to be executed in Scotland, but the
third-last. Anthony Miller followed Manuel on to the Barlinnie gallows in December 1960, while Henry John
Peter Manuel 133
Burnett suffered a similar fate at Craiginches Prison, Aberdeen in August 1963.

In 2009, a BBC programme Inside the Mind of a Psychopath argued that the authorities colluded to ensure Manuel
was hanged, despite the fact that he was a known psychopath.[1]
In fiction
Scottish actor Brian Cox loosely based his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter on Manuel.[2]
External links
• BBC News Website (April 2008) Call to examine 50s killer case [3]
• National Archives of Scotland Website (June 2008) The Mind of a Killer - the Peter Manuel Case [4]
• Serial killer's voice to be heard [5]
• 'Hanging With Frank' (video showing UK execution protocol at the old gallows in Barlinnie Prison) [6]
References
[1] BBC Radio Scotland Serial killer's voice to be heard (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ 7888988. stm)
[2] Cox, Brian. Inside Manhunter: Interviews with stars William Petersen, Brian Cox, Joan Allen and Tom Noonan. [Manhunter (DVD)].
[3] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ north_east/ 7374285. stm
[4] http:/ / www. nas. gov. uk/ about/ 080619. asp
[5] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ 7888988. stm
[6] http:/ / shootingpeople. org/ watch/ film. php?film_id=43269
Peter Moore (serial killer)

Peter Moore
Peter Moore mugshot

Birth name: Peter Howard Moore
Also known as: The Man In Black
Born: 1940 (age 69–70)
Killings
Number of 4
victims:
Span of killings: September 1995–December 1995
Country: Wales
Peter Moore (born 1940) is a Welsh serial killer who owned and managed a number of cinemas in North Wales[1] .
He murdered four men in 1995.
Crimes
Between September and December 1995, he stabbed to death and mutilated four men "for fun". He was sentenced to
life imprisonment in November 1996.[1]
Victims
• Henry Roberts, a 56-year-old gay man who lived in Anglesey; stabbed to death in September 1995
• Edward Carthy, a 28-year-old man whom Moore met in a gay bar; stabbed to death in Clocaenog Forest in
October 1995
• Keith Randles, a 49-year-old traffic manager; stabbed to death in November 1995 on the A5 road in Anglesey
• Anthony Davies, 40; stabbed to death in Pensarn Beach, Abergele in December 1995
Imprisonment
[1]
During his time in Wakefield Prison Moore befriended Harold Shipman, the serial killer and former GP who
hanged himself in January 2004.[2] In June 2008, Moore was told by the High Court that he would spend the rest of
his life in prison
References
[1] Butler, Carl (2008-06-13). "Serial killer Peter Moore will die in prison" (http:/ / www. dailypost. co. uk/ news/ north-wales-news/ 2008/ 06/
13/ serial-killer-peter-moore-will-die-in-prison-55578-21067116/ ). Daily Post. . Retrieved 2008-09-09.
[2] Gardner, Tony. "Shipman's bizarre circle of jail pals" (http:/ / www. yorkshireeveningpost. co. uk/ news/ Shipman39s--bizarre-circle-of.
1008219. jp). Yorkshire Evening Post. . Retrieved 2008-09-09.
Peter Sutcliffe 136
Peter Sutcliffe
Peter Sutcliffe
Sutcliffe in 1981
Birth name: Peter William Sutcliffe
Also known as: Peter William Coonan, The Yorkshire Ripper
Born: 2 June 1946

Bingley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Killings
Span of killings: 30 October 1975–17 November 1980
Date apprehended: 2 January 1981
Peter William Sutcliffe (born 2 June 1946) is an English serial killer who was dubbed The Yorkshire Ripper.
Sutcliffe was convicted in 1981 of murdering 13 women and attacking several others. He is currently serving life
imprisonment in Broadmoor Hospital. After conviction, Sutcliffe began using his mother's maiden surname and
became known as Peter William Coonan.[1]
Early life
Sutcliffe was born in Bingley, West Riding of Yorkshire, the son of John Sutcliffe and Kathleen Sutcliffe (nee
Coonan). Reportedly a loner at school, he left at the age of 15 and took a series of menial jobs, including two stints
as a grave digger during the 1960s. Sutcliffe worked at the factory of Baird Television Ltd. between November 1971
and April 1973 on the packaging line, but left when he was asked to go on the road as a salesman. After leaving
Baird's, he worked nightshifts at the Britannia Works of Anderton International from April 1973. In February 1975
he took redundancy, used the pay-off to gain an HGV licence on 4 June 1975 and began working as a driver for a
tyre firm on 29 September of that year. However, he was sacked for the theft of used tyres on 5 March 1976. He was
unemployed until October 1976, when he found another job as an HGV driver for T & WH Clark (Holdings Ltd.) on
the Canal Road Industrial Estate in Bradford.
Sutcliffe frequented prostitutes as a young man and it has been speculated that a bad experience with one (during
which he was allegedly conned out of money) helped fuel his violent hatred against women.[2]
He first met Sonia Szurma, of Czech and Ukrainian parentage, on St Valentine's Day in 1967 and they married on 10
August 1974. His wife suffered a number of miscarriages over the next few years and eventually the couple were
informed that she would not be able to have children. Shortly after this she returned to a teacher training course.
Peter Sutcliffe 137
When she completed the course in 1977 and began teaching, the couple used the extra money to buy their first house
in Heaton, Bradford, where they moved on 26 September 1977 and where they were still living at the time of
Sutcliffe's arrest for the murders in 1981.
Criminal record
Murder victims
10
11
12
13
Yorkshire Ripper locations within West Yorkshire (Victims 6 & 9 are off this map to the south west.)
Sutcliffe was convicted of murdering the following 13 victims:

Peter Sutcliffe 138
Date Name of victim Age at Body found Location on

death map
30 October 1975 Wilma McCann 28 [3] 1

Prince Phillip Playing Fields, Leeds
20 January 1976 Emily Jackson 42 [4] 2

Manor Street, Sheepscar, Leeds
5 February 1977 Irene Richardson 28 [5] 3

Roundhay Park, Leeds
23 April 1977 Patricia Atkinson 32 [6] 4

Flat 3, 9 Oak Avenue, Bradford
26 June 1977 Jayne MacDonald 16 [7] 5

Adventure playground, Reginald Street, Leeds
1 October 1977 Jean Jordan 20 [8] 6

Allotments next to Southern Cemetery, Manchester
21 January 1978 Yvonne Pearson 21 7

Under a discarded sofa on waste ground off Arthington Street,
[9]
Bradford
31 January 1978 Helen Rytka 18 [10] 8

Timber yard in Great Northern Street, Huddersfield
16 May 1978 Vera Millward 40 [11] 9

Grounds of Manchester Royal Infirmary
4 April 1979 Josephine 19 [12] 10

Savile Park, Halifax
Whitaker
2 September 1979 Barbara Leach 20 [13] 11

Back of 13 Ashgrove, Bradford
20 August 1980 Marguerite Walls 47 [14] 12

Garden of a house called "Claremont", New Street, Farsley, Leeds
17 November Jacqueline Hill 20 [15] 13

Waste ground off Alma Road, Headingley, Leeds
1980
1975
Sutcliffe committed his first documented assault on the night of 5 July 1975 in Keighley. He attacked 36-year-old
Anna Rogulskyj who was walking alone, striking her unconscious with a ball-peen hammer and slashing her
stomach with a knife. Disturbed by a neighbour, he left without killing her. Rogulskyj survived after extensive
medical intervention but was emotionally traumatised by the attack.
Sutcliffe attacked 46-year-old Olive Smelt in Halifax in August. He used the same modus operandi, striking her from
behind and using a knife to slash her, though this time above her buttocks. Again he was interrupted, and left his
victim badly injured but still alive. Like Rogulskyj, Smelt suffered emotional scars from the attack, including clinical
depression. On 27 August, Sutcliffe attacked 14 year old Tracy Browne in Silsden. He struck her from behind and hit
her on the head five times while she was walking in a country lane. Sutcliffe was not convicted of this attack, but
confessed to it in 1992.
He killed his first victim, 28-year-old Wilma McCann, on 30 October. McCann was a mother of four from the
Chapeltown district of Leeds. Sutcliffe struck her twice with a hammer before stabbing her 15 times in the neck,
chest and abdomen. Traces of semen were found on the back of her underwear. An extensive inquiry, involving 150
police officers and 11,000 interviews, failed to uncover the culprit. One of McCann's daughters committed suicide in
December 2007, reportedly after suffering years of torment over her mother's death.[16]
Peter Sutcliffe 139
1976
Sutcliffe committed his next murder in January 1976, when he stabbed 42-year-old housewife Emily Jackson 51
times in Leeds. In dire financial straits, Jackson had been using the family van to exchange sexual favours for
money, a fact which shocked family and neighbours when it was revealed after the murder. Sutcliffe hit her on the
head with a hammer and then used a sharpened screwdriver to stab her in the neck, chest, and abdomen. Sutcliffe
also stamped on her thigh, leaving behind an impression of his boot.
Sutcliffe attacked 20-year-old Marcella Claxton in Roundhay Park, Leeds, on 9 May. Walking home from a party,
she was given a ride by Sutcliffe. When she later got out of the car to urinate, Sutcliffe hit her from behind with a
hammer. She was left alive and could testify against Sutcliffe at his trial.
1977
Sutcliffe's next murder took place on 5 February 1977. He attacked Irene Richardson, a 28-year-old Chapeltown
prostitute, in Roundhay Park. Richardson was bludgeoned to death with a hammer. Once she was dead, he mutilated
her corpse with a knife. Tyre tracks left near the murder scene resulted in an long list of possible suspect vehicles.
Two months later, on 23 April 1977, Sutcliffe killed 32-year-old Bradford prostitute Patricia "Tina" Atkinson in her
flat. There police found a bootprint on the bedclothes. Two months later Sutcliffe committed another murder in
Chapeltown, claiming his youngest victim, 16-year-old Jayne MacDonald, on 26 June. She was not a prostitute. In
the public perception her death showed that every woman was a potential victim.
Sutcliffe seriously assaulted 42-year-old Maureen Long in Bradford in July. He was interrupted and left her for dead.
A witness misidentified the make of his car. Over 300 police officers working the case amassed 12,500 statements
and checked thousands of cars, without result.
On 1 October 1977 Sutcliffe murdered 20-year-old Manchester prostitute Jean Jordan.[17] Her body was found ten
days later and had obviously been moved several days after death. In a later confession, Sutcliffe stated he had
realised that a new £5 note he had given her was traceable. After hosting a family party at his new home, he returned
to the wasteland behind Manchester's Southern Cemetery where he left the body, to retrieve the note. Unable to find
her handbag and the note he tried to remove Jordan's head with a broken pane of glass and a hacksaw, in an attempt
to deceive the police into believing that her death was not the result of a Ripper attack.
The recovery of the note, hidden inside a secret compartment in Jordan's handbag, offered a valuable piece of
evidence. The note was new, allowing it to be traced to branches of the Midland Bank in Shipley and Bingley. Police
analysis of bank operations allowed them to narrow the field to 8,000 local employees who could have received it in
their wages. Over three months the police interviewed 5,000 men, including Sutcliffe, who they did not connect to
the crime. Jordan's body was discovered by actor Bruce Jones, who at that time was a local dairy worker. He had an
allotment on the land adjoining the site where the body was found. He was searching for disused house bricks when
he made the discovery.
On 14 December Sutcliffe attacked another Leeds prostitute, 25-year-old Marilyn Moore. She survived and provided
police with a description of her attacker. Tyre tracks found at the scene matched those from an earlier attack.
1978
The police discontinued the search for the person who received the £5 note in January 1978. Although Sutcliffe was
interviewed about the £5 note, he was not investigated further (he would ultimately be contacted, and disregarded, by
the Ripper Squad on several further occasions). That month, Sutcliffe killed again. His victim was 21-year-old
Bradford prostitute, Yvonne Pearson. Sutcliffe hid her body under a discarded sofa and it was not found until March.
He killed 18-year-old Huddersfield prostitute Helen Rytka, on the night of 31 January. Her body was found three
days later.
Peter Sutcliffe 140
Sutcliffe killed again after a three-month hiatus. On 16 May he killed 40-year-old Vera Millward during an attack in
the car park of Manchester Royal Infirmary.
1979
Almost a year passed before Sutcliffe attacked again. During this period, on 8 November 1978, his mother Kathleen
died at age 59.
On 4 April 1979 Sutcliffe killed a 19-year-old bank clerk, Josephine Whitaker. He attacked her on Saville Park
Moor, Halifax, as she was walking home. Despite new forensic evidence, police efforts were diverted for several
months following receipt of a taped message purporting to be from the murderer. The message taunted Assistant
Chief Constable George Oldfield who was leading the investigation. Based on the recorded message police began
searching for a man with a Wearside accent, which was narrowed down to the Castletown area of Sunderland. The
message was much later revealed to be a hoax.
The hoaxer, dubbed "Wearside Jack", sent two letters to police in 1978, that boasted of his crimes. The letters, signed
"Jack The Ripper", claimed responsibility for the murder of 26-year-old Joan Harrison in Preston in November 1975.
On 20 October 2005, John Samuel Humble, an unemployed alcoholic and long-time resident of the Ford Estate area
of Sunderland (a mile from Castletown), was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice for sending the
hoax letters and tape. He was remanded in custody. On 21 March 2006 Humble was convicted and sentenced to eight
years in prison.
On 1 September Sutcliffe murdered 20-year-old Barbara Leach. Leach was a Bradford University student killed in
Ashgrove, close to the university and her lodgings. It was his sixteenth attack. The murder of a woman who was not
a prostitute again alarmed the public and prompted an expensive publicity campaign, which emphasised the
Wearside connection. Despite the false Wearside lead, Sutcliffe was interviewed on at least two further occasions in
1979. Despite matching several forensic clues and being on the list of 300 names in connection with the £5 note, he
was not strongly suspected. In total, Sutcliffe was interviewed by the police on nine occasions.
1980
In April 1980 Sutcliffe was arrested for drunk driving. While awaiting trial on this charge, he killed two more
women. He murdered 47-year-old Marguerite Walls on the night of 20 August, and 20-year-old Jacqueline Hill, a
student at the University of Leeds, on the night of 17 November. He also attacked two other women who survived.
They were the 34-year-old Dr. Upadhya Bandara, attacked in Leeds on 24 September, and 16-year-old Theresa
Sykes, attacked in Huddersfield on the night of 5 November.
On 25 November one of Sutcliffe's friends reported him to the police as a suspect. This information vanished into the
enormous volumes already created. Sutcliffe's friend assumed that they had investigated him and cleared him.
Peter Sutcliffe 141
1981 arrest and trial

On 2 January 1981, Sutcliffe was stopped by the police with
24-year-old prostitute Olivia Reivers in the driveway of Light Trades
House, Melbourne Avenue, Broomhill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire. A
police check revealed the car was fitted with false number plates and
Sutcliffe was arrested for this offence and transferred to Dewsbury
Police Station, West Yorkshire. At Dewsbury he was questioned in
relation to the Yorkshire Ripper case as he matched so many of the
physical characteristics known. The next day police returned to the
scene of the arrest and discovered a knife, hammer and rope he
Millgarth Police Station in Leeds city centre,
discarded when he briefly slipped away from police during the arrest.
where the Yorkshire Ripper police investigation
Sutcliffe had hidden a second knife in the toilet cistern at the police was conducted.
station after he was permitted to use the toilet. The police obtained a
search warrant for his home at 6 Garden Lane in the Heaton district of Bradford and brought his wife in for
questioning.
When Sutcliffe was stripped of his clothing at the police station he was wearing a V-neck sweater under his trousers.
The sleeves had been pulled over his legs and the V-neck exposed his genital area. The front of the elbows were
padded to protect his knees as, presumably, he knelt over his victims' corpses. The sexual implications of this outfit
were held to be obvious, but it was not communicated to the public until the 2003 book Wicked Beyond Belief: The
Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper by Michael Bilton.
After two days of intensive questioning, on the afternoon of 4 January 1981 Sutcliffe suddenly declared he was the
Ripper. Over the next day, Sutcliffe calmly described his many attacks. Weeks later he claimed God told him to
murder the women. He displayed emotion only when telling of the murder of his youngest victim, Jayne MacDonald,
and when he was questioned about the murder of Joan Harrison, which he vehemently denied. He was charged at
Dewsbury on 5 January.
At his trial, Sutcliffe pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of murder, but guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of
diminished responsibility. The basis of this defence was his claim that he was the tool of God's will. Sutcliffe first
claimed to have heard voices while working as a gravedigger, that ultimately ordered him to kill prostitutes. He
claimed that the voices originated from a headstone of a deceased Polish man, Bronislaw Zapolski,[18] and that the
voices were that of God.[19] [20]
He also pleaded guilty to seven counts of attempted murder. The prosecution intended to accept Sutcliffe's plea after
four psychiatrists diagnosed him with paranoid schizophrenia. However, the trial judge, Mr Justice Boreham,
demanded an unusually detailed explanation of the prosecution reasoning. After a two-hour representation by the
Attorney-General Sir Michael Havers, a 90-minute lunch break and a further 40 minutes of legal discussion, he
rejected the diminished responsibility plea and the expert testimonies of the four psychiatrists, insisting that the case
should be dealt with by a jury. The trial proper was set to commence on 5 May 1981.
The trial lasted two weeks and despite the efforts of his counsel James Chadwin QC, Sutcliffe was found guilty of
murder on all counts and sentenced to life imprisonment. The trial judge said that Sutcliffe was beyond redemption,
and that he hoped that he would never leave prison. He recommended a minimum term of 30 years to be served
before parole is considered. This recommendation meant that Sutcliffe was unlikely to be freed until at least 2011, at
the age of 65.
After his trial, Sutcliffe admitted two further attacks to detectives. It was decided at the time that prosecution for
these offences was "not in the public interest". West Yorkshire Police have made it clear that the female victims wish
to remain anonymous.
Peter Sutcliffe 142
Prison and Broadmoor Hospital

Sutcliffe began his sentence at HMP Parkhurst on 22 May 1981. Despite being found sane at his trial, he was soon
diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia. Attempts to send him to a secure psychiatric unit though were initially
blocked. During his time at Parkhurst he was seriously assaulted for the first time. The attack was carried out by
James Costello, a 35-year-old career criminal from Glasgow with several convictions for violence. On 10 January
1983, he followed Sutcliffe into the recess of F2, the hospital wing at Parkhurst Prison. He plunged a broken coffee
jar twice into the left side of Sutcliffe's face, creating four separate wounds requiring a total of 30 stitches.[21] In
March 1984 Sutcliffe was finally sent to Broadmoor Hospital, under section 47 of the Mental Health Act 1983.
His wife Sonia obtained a separation from him in 1982 and a divorce in April 1994. On 23 February 1996, Sutcliffe
was attacked in his private room in the Henley Ward of Broadmoor Hospital. Paul Wilson, a convicted robber, asked
to borrow a video cassette before attempting to strangle him with the flex from a pair of stereo headphones. Two
other convicted murderers, Kenneth Erskine (the "Stockwell Strangler") and Jamie Devitt, intervened upon hearing
Sutcliffe's screams.[21]
After an attack by fellow inmate Ian Kay on 10 March 1997 with a pen, Sutcliffe lost vision in his left eye, and his
right eye was severely damaged.[22] Kay admitted he had tried to kill Sutcliffe, and was ordered to be detained in a
secure mental hospital without time limit. Rumours suggested that Sutcliffe received nearly £200,000 in
compensation for the attack, but West London Mental Health Trust, which runs Broadmoor Hospital, issued a
statement on 18 January 2008 stating that no compensation had been paid in relation to this incident.[23] In 2003,
reports surfaced that Sutcliffe had developed diabetes.[24]
Despite being given a whole life tariff by successive Home Secretaries, Sutcliffe could be released from custody if
the parole board decides he is no longer a danger to the public. He was originally sentenced to a minimum of 30
years, so he could be released from prison in 2011 because the system under which his tariff was increased was later
declared illegal by the European Court of Human Rights and the High Court. The main point of conflict is that the
continued detention of Sutcliffe and other life prisoners is currently controlled by a politician – the Home Secretary
– rather than by a member of the judiciary. A European Court of Human Rights hearing which opened in February
2007 is reviewing whether life imprisonment is a violation of human rights. If life imprisonment is outlawed
Sutcliffe and other prisoners serving such sentences in Europe would have their cases recalled to court for
resentencing.
Sutcliffe was not on a Home Office list, published in late 2006, of 35 murderers in England and Wales who had been
told by various judges and politicians that they should never be released.
Sutcliffe's father died in 2004 and was cremated. On 17 January 2005 Sutcliffe was allowed to visit Grange over
Sands where the ashes had been scattered. The decision to allow the temporary release was initiated by David
Blunkett and later ratified by Charles Clarke when he took over the role of Home Secretary. Sutcliffe was
accompanied by four members of the hospital staff. Despite the passage of 25 years since the Ripper murders,
Sutcliffe's visit was still the focus of front-page tabloid headlines.[25]
On 22 December 2007 Sutcliffe was attacked again. Fellow inmate Patrick Sureda lunged at him with a metal cutlery
knife. Sutcliffe flung himself backwards and the blade missed his right eye, instead stabbing him in the cheek.[26]
On 17 February 2009, it was reported[27] that Sutcliffe was "fit to leave Broadmoor". If the Ministry of Justice agrees
with the doctors' verdict, he will be sent to a medium-secure unit where he could be allowed out on short release for
rehabilitation. On 23 March 2010, Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw was questioned by Julie Kirkbride,
Conservative MP for Bromsgrove, in the House of Commons. Kirkbride was seeking reassurance for one of her
constituents, a victim of Sutcliffe, that he would remain in prison. Straw responded, stating that whilst the matter of
Sutcliffe's release was a parole board matter, "that all the evidence that I have seen on this case, and it's a great deal,
suggests to me that there are no circumstances in which this man will be released".[28]
Peter Sutcliffe 143
Criticism of West Yorkshire Police

West Yorkshire Police were criticised for being inadequately prepared for an investigation on this scale. The case
was one of the largest ever investigations by a British police force and pre-dated the use of computers in criminal
cases. The information on suspects was stored on handwritten index cards. Aside from difficulties in storing and
accessing such a bulk of paperwork (the floor of the incident room had to be reinforced to cope with the weight of
the paper), it was difficult for officers to overcome the information overload of such a large manual system. Sutcliffe
was interviewed nine times, but all information the police had about the case was stored in paper form, making cross
referencing a difficult task. This fact was compounded by the television appeal for information, which generated
thousands more documents to process.
The Assistant Chief Constable (Crime), George Oldfield, was criticised for being too focused on the "I'm Jack"
Wearside tape and letters. The original investigation used them as a point of elimination rather than a line of enquiry.
This angle allowed Sutcliffe to avoid scrutiny, as he did not fit the profile of the sender of the tape or letters. The
official response to these criticisms led to the implementation of the forerunner of the Home Office Large Major
Enquiry System, firstly through the development of MICA (Major Incident Computer Application), which was
developed between West Yorkshire Police and ISIS Computer Services.
In 1988, the mother of the last victim argued in court that the police had failed to use reasonable care in
apprehending the murderer of her daughter in Hill v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police 1988. The House of
Lords held that the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire did not owe a duty of care to the mother; in other words, that
the police enjoy a limited immunity from negligence suits arising from negligent conduct of criminal
investigations.[29]
The Byford Report

On 1 June 2006, the Home Office released Inspector of Constabulary Sir Lawrence Byford's 1981 report of an
official inquiry into the Ripper case. Part of the document entitled "Description of suspects, photofits and other
assaults" remains censored by the Home Office. Also partly censored was a section on Sutcliffe’s "immediate
associates".
Referring to the period between 1969, when Sutcliffe first came to the attention of police, and 1975, the year of the
murder of Wilma McCann, the report states: "There is a curious and unexplained lull in Sutcliffe's criminal activities
and there is the possibility that he carried out other attacks on prostitutes and unaccompanied women during that
period." In 1969 Sutcliffe, described in the Byford Report as an "otherwise unremarkable young man", came to the
notice of police on two occasions in connection with incidents involving prostitutes. The report said that it was clear
he had on at least one occasion attacked a Bradford prostitute with a blackjack weapon. Also in 1969 he was arrested
in the red light district of the city in possession of a hammer. However, rather than believing Sutcliffe might use the
hammer as an offensive weapon, the arresting officers assumed he was a burglar and he was charged with "going
equipped for stealing."[30]
Byford's report states: "We feel it is highly improbable that the crimes in respect of which Sutcliffe has been charged
and convicted are the only ones attributable to him. This feeling is reinforced by examining the details of a number
of assaults on women since 1969 which, in some ways, clearly fall into the established pattern of Sutcliffe’s overall
modus operandi. I hasten to add that I feel sure that the senior police officers in the areas concerned are also mindful
of this possibility but, in order to ensure full account is taken of all the information available, I have arranged for an
effective liaison to take place."[30] Police identified a number of attacks which matched Sutcliffe's modus operandi
and tried to question the killer, but he was never charged with other crimes.
The Byford Report’s major findings were contained in a summary published by the then Home Secretary, William
Whitelaw, but this is the first time precise details of the bungled police investigation had been disclosed. Sir
Lawrence described delays in following up vital tip-offs from Trevor Birdsall, an associate of Sutcliffe’s since 1966.
Peter Sutcliffe 144
On 25 November 1980, Birdsall sent an anonymous letter to police, the text of which ran as follows:
“ I have good reason to now [sic] the man you are looking for in the Ripper case. This man as [sic] dealings with prostitutes and always had a
thing about them… His name and address is Peter Sutcliffe, 6 Garden Lane, Heaton, Bradford. Works for Clarke's [sic] Transport,
Shipley.
[30]
”
This letter was marked "Priority No 1". An index card was created on the basis of the letter and a policewoman
found Sutcliffe already had three existing index cards in the records. But "for some inexplicable reason", said the
Byford Report, the papers remained in a filing tray in the incident room until the murderer’s arrest on 2 January the
following year.[30]
Birdsall visited Bradford Police Station the day after sending the letter to repeat his misgivings about Sutcliffe.
Birdsall added that he had been with Sutcliffe when Sutcliffe got out of a car to pursue a woman with whom he had
had a bar room dispute in Halifax on 16 August 1975. This was the date and place of the Olive Smelt attack. A report
compiled on this visit was lost, despite a "comprehensive search" which took place after Sutcliffe’s arrest, according
to the report.[30] Byford said:
“ The failure to take advantage of Birdsall’s anonymous letter and his visit to the police station was yet again a stark illustration of the
progressive decline in the overall efficiency of the major incident room. It resulted in Sutcliffe being at liberty for more than a month when he
might conceivably have been in custody. Thankfully, there is no reason to think he committed any further murderous assaults within that
period.
[30]
”
Further reading
• Bilton, Michael. Wicked Beyond Belief: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper. HarperCollins, 2003. ISBN
0007169639.
• Cross, Roger. Yorkshire Ripper. HarperCollins Canada, Limited, 1981. ISBN 0586055266.
• Burn, Gordon. Somebody's Husband, Somebody's Son: The Story of Peter Sutcliffe. Heinemann, 1984. Original
from the University of Michigan.
• McCann, Richard. Just a Boy: The True Story of A Stolen Childhood. Ebury Press, 2005. ISBN 0091898226.
• O'Gara, Noel. The Real Yorkshire Ripper. Court Publications, Ballinahowen, Athlone, Ireland, 1989.
• Ward Jouve, Nicole. The Streetcleaner: The Yorkshire Ripper Case on Trial. Kampmann, 1986. ISBN
0714528471.
External links
• Yorkshire Ripper website [31] by Keith Brannen
• Suggestion that Sutcliffe had other victims [32] (BBC News)
• Yorkshire Ripper website [33] by Noel O'Gara
• Google Earth/Maps overlay showing significant locations in the Ripper case [34]
References
[1] "News & Features." (http:/ / www. pcc. org. uk/ news/ index. html?article=NDQ0Mg==) Press Complaints Commission. 29 January 2007
[2] "Peter Sutcliffe: The Yorkshire Ripper - Famous Criminal." (http:/ / www. crimeandinvestigation. co. uk/ famous_criminal/ 54/ biography/ 1/
Peter_Sutcliffe_The_Yorkshire_Ripper. htm) Crime And Investigation Network.
[3] "Wilma McCann - Prince Phillip Playing Fields, [[Leeds (http:/ / www. multimap. com/ maps/ ?zoom=15& countryCode=GB& lat=53.
8178& lon=-1. 5428& dp=904)]."] Multimap.com.
[4] "Emily Jackson - Manor Street, [[Sheepscar (http:/ / www. multimap. com/ maps/ ?zoom=15& countryCode=GB& lat=53. 8083& lon=-1.
5311& dp=904)], Leeds."] Multimap.com.
[5] "Irene Richardson - [[Roundhay Park (http:/ / www. multimap. com/ maps/ ?zoom=15& countryCode=GB& lat=53. 8334& lon=-1. 5002&
dp=904)], Leeds."] Multimap.com.
Peter Sutcliffe 145
[6] "Patricia Atkinson - Flat 3, 9 Oak Avenue, [[Bradford (http:/ / www. multimap. com/ maps/ ?zoom=15& countryCode=GB& lat=53. 8109&
lon=-1. 7633& dp=904)]."] Multimap.com.
[7] "Jayne MacDonald - Adventure playground, Reginald Street, Leeds." (http:/ / www. multimap. com/ maps/ ?zoom=15& countryCode=GB&
lat=53. 8179& lon=-1. 5325& dp=904) Multimap.com.
[8] "Jean Jordan - Multimap (http:/ / www. multimap. com/ maps/ ?zoom=15& countryCode=GB& lat=53. 4324& lon=-2. 2506& dp=904)
[9] "Yvonne Pearson - Arthington Street, Bradford." (http:/ / www. multimap. com/ maps/ ?zoom=15& countryCode=GB& lat=53. 8001&
lon=-1. 7721& dp=904) Multimap.com.
[10] "Helen Rytka - Great Northern Street, [[Huddersfield (http:/ / www. multimap. com/ maps/ ?zoom=15& countryCode=GB& lat=53. 6544&
[11] "Vera Millward - [[Manchester Royal Infirmary (http:/ / www. multimap. com/ maps/ ?zoom=15& countryCode=GB& lat=53. 4599&
[12] "Josephine Whitaker - Savile Park, Halifax." (http:/ / www. multimap. com/ maps/ ?zoom=15& countryCode=GB& lat=53. 7117& lon=-1.
8736& dp=904) Multimap.com.
[13] "Barbara Leach - 13 Ashgrove, Bradford." (http:/ / www. multimap. com/ maps/ ?zoom=15& countryCode=GB& lat=53. 79& lon=-1. 764&
dp=904) Multimap.com.
[14] "Marguerite Walls - New Street, [[Farsley (http:/ / www. multimap. com/ maps/ ?zoom=15& countryCode=GB& lat=53. 8085& lon=-1.
[15] "Jacqueline Hill - Alma Road, [[Headingley (http:/ / www. multimap. com/ maps/ ?zoom=15& countryCode=GB& lat=53. 8228& lon=-1.
[16] Stratton, Allegra. "Daughter Of Ripper Victim Kills Herself." (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ world/ 2007/ dec/ 27/ ukcrime. uk) The
Guardian. 27 December 2007.
[17] The Yorkshire Ripper ISBN 0-586-05526-6, p 92
[18] "The Trial: Week Two." (http:/ / www. execulink. com/ ~kbrannen/ trial04. htm) Trial of Peter Sutcliffe.
[19] "MP's Ripper prison demand." (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ uk_news/ england/ 2833589. stm) BBC World News. 9 March 2003.
[20] "Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe's Weight-Gain Strategy in Latest Bid for Freedom." (http:/ / www. crimeandjustice. us/ forums/
lofiversion/ index. php?t6951. html) New Criminologist. 25 May 2005.
[21] "Attacks on Peter Sutcliffe." (http:/ / www. execulink. com/ ~kbrannen/ attackps. htm) The Yorkshire Ripper.
[22] "Crime Case Closed: Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper" (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20070127141209/ http:/ / www. bbc. co. uk/
crime/ caseclosed/ yorkshireripper1. shtml). Archived from the original (http:/ / www. bbc. co. uk/ crime/ caseclosed/ yorkshireripper1. shtml)
on 2007-01-27. ., BBC.co.uk. 27 January 2007.
[23] (http:/ / www. wlmht. nhs. uk/ news/ press_releases/ 2008/ PS_compensation_Jan2008. pdf)
[24] "Ripper Sutcliffe has diabetes." (http:/ / archive. cravenherald. co. uk/ 2003/ 8/ 30/ 108575. html) Craven Herald and Pioneer. 30 August
2003.
[25] "Ripper visits father's ashes site." (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ west_yorkshire/ 4190525. stm) BBC News Online. 20 January
2005.
[26] "Yorkshire Ripper stabbed In face." (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ uk/ 2007/ dec/ 24/ ukcrime1) The Guardian. 24 December 2007.
[27] "Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe 'fit to be freed from Broadmoor'." (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ newstopics/ politics/
lawandorder/ 4684906/ Yorkshire-Ripper-Peter-Sutcliffe-fit-to-be-freed-from-Broadmoor. html) Daily Telegraph. 17 February 2009.
[28] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ bradford/ 8583782. stm
[29] "Judgments - Brooks (FC) (Respondent) v. Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis (Appellant) and others." (http:/ / www. publications.
parliament. uk/ pa/ ld200405/ ldjudgmt/ jd050421/ brooks-1. htm) House of Lords Publications. 21 April 2005.
[30] "Sir Lawrence Byford report into the police handling of the Yorkshire Ripper case." (http:/ / www. homeoffice. gov. uk/ about-us/
freedom-of-information/ released-information/ foi-archive-crime/ 1941-Byford-report/ ?version=1) Home Office. homeoffice.gov.uk.
[31] http:/ / www. execulink. com/ ~kbrannen/
[32] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ west_yorkshire/ 5037416. stm
[33] http:/ / yorkshireripper. com/
[34] http:/ / bbs. keyhole. com/ ubb/ download. php?Number=719758
Peter Tobin 146
Peter Tobin
For the businessman, see Peter J. Tobin
Peter Britton Tobin[1] (born 27 August 1946) is a convicted British serial killer and sex offender now serving a
sentence of life imprisonment for three murders.
Prior to his first murder conviction, Tobin served ten years in prison for a double rape committed in 1993, following
which he was released in 2004. In 2007 he was sentenced to life with a minimum of 21 years for the rape and murder
of Angelika Kluk in Glasgow in 2006. Skeletal remains of two further young women who went missing in 1991
were subsequently found at his former home in Margate. Tobin was convicted of the murder of Vicky Hamilton in
December 2008, when his minimum sentence was increased to 30 years, and of the murder of Dinah McNicol in
December 2009. He is now being investigated for other unsolved cases of murder dating back to the 1960s, including
the Bible John murders.
Early and personal life

Tobin was born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, the youngest of seven children. He was a difficult child and in 1953,
aged seven, he was sent to an approved school. He later spent time in a young offender institution, and in 1970 was
convicted and served jail terms in England for burglary and forgery.
In 1969, Tobin moved to Brighton, Sussex, with his 17-year old girlfriend, Margaret L. R. Mountney, whom married
there in August that year. They split after a year and she divorced him in 1971. In 1973 in Brighton, he married a
local nurse, 30 year old Sylvia J. A. Jefferies. They had a son and daughter, the latter of whom died soon after birth.
This second, violent, marriage lasted until 1976, when she left with their son. Cathy D. Wilson gave birth to Tobin's
son in December 1987. Tobin married her in Brighton in 1989, when she was 17. In 1990, they moved to Bathgate,
West Lothian. Wilson left Tobin in 1990 and moved back to Portsmouth, Hampshire, where she had grown up. In
May 1991, Tobin moved to Margate, Kent, and in 1993, to Havant, Hampshire to be near his younger son.[2] [3]
Convictions
Rape of juveniles
On 4 August 1993, Tobin attacked two 14-year old girls at his flat in Havant, after they had come round to babysit
his young son. After holding them at knifepoint and forcing them to drink strong cider and vodka, Tobin sexually
assaulted and raped them. He then turned on the gas taps and left them for dead but they both survived the attack. To
avoid arrest, Tobin went on the run and hid with a religious sect in Coventry, West Midlands, under a false name. He
was later captured in Brighton, after his blue Austin Metro car was found there.[4]
On 18 May 1994, at Winchester Crown Court, Tobin pled guilty and received a 14-year prison sentence. In 2004,
58-year-old Tobin was released from prison. He moved back to Paisley in Renfrewshire.[4]
Angelika Kluk murder

In September 2006, Tobin was working as a church handyman at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Anderston,
Glasgow. He had assumed the name "Pat McLaughlin" to avoid detection, as he was still on the Violent and Sex
Offender Register following his 1994 convictions for rape and assault. An arrest warrant was issued for him in
November 2005 after he moved from Paisley without notifying the police, but he was not discovered until he became
a suspect in a murder case at the church. In May 2007, he received a further 30-month sentence for breaching the
terms of the register.[5] [6] [7]
Peter Tobin 147
Angelika Kluk was a 23-year-old student from Skoczow, near Krakow in Poland. She was staying at the presbytery
of St Patrick's Church, where she worked as a cleaner to help finance her Scandinavian Studies course at University
of Gdańsk. She was last seen alive in the company of Tobin on 24 September 2006, and is thought to have been
attacked by him in the garage attached to St Patrick's presbytery. She was beaten, raped, and stabbed, then her body
was concealed in an underground chamber beneath the floor near the confessional in the church. Forensic evidence
suggested that she was still alive when she was placed under the floorboards. Police found her body on 29
September,[8] and Tobin was arrested in London shortly afterwards.[9] He had been admitted to hospital under a false
name, and with a fictitious complaint.[10]
A six-week trial resulted from the evidence gathered under the supervision of Detective Superintendent David
Swindle of Strathclyde Police and took place at the High Court of Justiciary, Edinburgh, between 23 March and 4
May 2007.[11]
The trial judge was Lord Menzies, the prosecution was led by Advocate Depute Dorothy Bain, and the defence by
Donald Findlay QC.[12] Tobin denied raping and murdering Kluk and claimed she had consented to have sex with
him.
Tobin was found guilty of raping and murdering Kluk and was sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum
of 21 years. In sentencing Tobin, Judge Lord Menzies described him as "an evil man".[13]
Vicky Hamilton murder

In June 2007, Tobin's old house in Bathgate, West Lothian was searched by police in connection with the
disappearance of a 15-year-old girl, Vicky Hamilton, who was last seen on 10 February 1991, as she waited for a bus
home to Redding, near Falkirk. She had been visiting her older sister, Sharon, in Livingston and was waiting to
change buses in Bathgate. The last sighting of her was as she was eating chips on a bench in the town centre. Tobin
is believed to have left Bathgate for Margate, in Kent, a few weeks after her disappearance.[14]
On 21 July 2007, Lothian and Borders Police released a statement that they had "arrested, cautioned and charged a
male in connection with the matter and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal", but did not immediately
confirm the identity of the man arrested.[15] The investigation later led to a forensic search of a house in Southsea,
Hampshire in early October 2007, where Tobin is believed to have lived shortly after leaving Bathgate.[16]
On 14 November 2007, Lothian and Borders Police confirmed that human remains found in the back garden of 50
Irvine Drive,[17] a house in Margate, Kent. occupied by Tobin in 1991, were those of Vicky Hamilton.[18]
After a month-long trial, Tobin was convicted of Hamilton's murder on 2 December 2008 at the High Court in
Dundee.[19] [20]
Tobin was again defended by Donald Findlay QC and the prosecution was led by the Solicitor General for Scotland,
Frank Mulholland QC. The prosecution case went beyond the circumstance of Tobin having lived at the two houses
in Bathgate and Margate in 1991, and consisted of eyewitness testimony of suspicious behaviour by Tobin at the
Bathgate house,[21] evidence to destroy his alibi,[22] and forensic evidence of DNA and fingerprints left on a dagger
found in the Bathgate house, on Hamilton's purse and on the sheeting in which her body was wrapped.[23]
When sentencing Tobin to life imprisonment, the judge, Lord Emslie, said:
"You stand convicted of the truly evil abduction and murder of a vulnerable young girl in 1991 and
thereafter of attempting to defeat the ends of justice in various ways over an extended period... Yet again
you have shown yourself to be unfit to live in a decent society. It is hard for me to convey the loathing
and revulsion that ordinary people will feel for what you have done... I fix the minimum period which
you must spend in custody at 30 years. Had it been open to me I would have made that period run
consecutive to the 21 year custodial period that you are already serving."[24]
On 11 December 2008, Tobin gave formal notice to court officials that he intended to challenge the guilty verdict
and overturn the prison sentence imposed on him. Tobin's defence team was not required to describe the grounds for
Peter Tobin 148
this appeal until a later date in the appeals process.[25] Tobin did not proceed with his appeal, and it was dropped in
March 2009.[26]
Dinah McNicol murder

Dinah McNicol, an 18-year old sixth former from Tillingham, Essex, was last seen alive on 5 August 1991,
hitchhiking home with a male companion from a music festival at Liphook, Hampshire. He was dropped off at
Junction 8 of the M25, near Reigate, and she stayed in the car with the driver. She was never seen again. After her
disappearance, regular withdrawals of £250 were made from her building society account at cash machines in the
UK south coast counties of Hampshire and Sussex, out of character for McNicol, who had told friends and family
she intended to use the money in her building society account to travel, or further her education. In late 2007, Essex
Police reopened the investigation into her disappearance, following new leads.[27]
On 16 November 2007, a second body was found at 50 Irvine Drive in Margate, later confirmed by police to be that
of Dinah McNicol.[28]
On 1 September 2008, the Crown Prosecution Service served a summons on Tobin's solicitors, formally accusing
him of McNicol's murder, and this trial began in June 2009. The trial was postponed and the jury discharged in July
2009, the judge ruling that Tobin was not fit to stand trial pending surgery.[29] The case resumed on 14 December
2009 at Chelmsford Crown Court.[30] On 16 December 2009, after the defence had offered no evidence, a jury found
Tobin guilty of McNicol's murder after deliberating for less than fifteen minutes and Tobin subsequently received his
third life sentence, with a recommendation by the judge that his life sentence should mean life.[31] Police are now
reopening 'Operation Anagram', to trace Tobin's past movements and his possible involvement in any other unsolved
crimes. Tobin is reported to have claimed 48 victims in boasts made in prison.[32]
References
[1] "Peter Tobin on murder charge" (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ main. jhtml?xml=/ news/ 2007/ 11/ 16/ ntobin116. xml). The Daily
Telegraph. 2007-11-16. . Retrieved 2007-11-22.
[2] "Wives swept off feet by charmer who turned into an ‘evil sadist’" (http:/ / www. timesonline. co. uk/ tol/ news/ uk/ crime/ article2866227.
ece). The Times. 2007-11-14. . Retrieved 2009-12-17.
[3] Timeline: Peter Tobin (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 8128188. stm)
[4] Jonathan Lessware (2007-05-04). "Sex killer Tobin's violent past" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ glasgow_and_west/ 6611765.
stm). BBC News. . Retrieved 2007-11-17.
[5] "Second jail term for Kluk killer" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ glasgow_and_west/ 6680199. stm). BBC News. 2007-05-22. .
[6] Mark Macaskill; Jason Allardyce (2006-10-01). "Church murder suspect is fugitive sex offender" (http:/ / www. timesonline. co. uk/ tol/
news/ uk/ article656628. ece). The Times. . Retrieved 2008-12-04.
[7] Gavin Madeley (2007-05-23). "The betrayal of Angelika - How could they let him escape?" (http:/ / scottdouglas. files. wordpress. com/
2008/ 04/ award-winning-story. pdf). The Daily Mail: p. 10. . Retrieved 2008-12-04.
[8] "Body found in Glasgow church" (http:/ / www. timesonline. co. uk/ tol/ news/ uk/ article655538. ece). The Times. 2006-09-30. . Retrieved
2007-11-14.
[9] David Lister (2006-10-02). "Sister writes of her anguish over student found murdered in church" (http:/ / www. timesonline. co. uk/ tol/ news/
uk/ crime/ article657485. ece). The Times. . Retrieved 2007-11-14.
[10] "Witness tells Kluk trial of hearing 'horrible' screams" (http:/ / thescotsman. scotsman. com/ index. cfm?id=599642007). The Scotsman.
2006-04-19. . Retrieved 2007-11-18.
[11] "Timeline: Angelika murder case" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ glasgow_and_west/ 6606987. stm). BBC News. 2007-05-07. .
Retrieved 2007-08-04..
[12] "Key figures in Angelika Kluk trial" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ glasgow_and_west/ 6607035. stm). BBC News. 2007-05-07. .
Retrieved 2007-08-04..
[13] "Tobin guilty of Angelika's murder" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ glasgow_and_west/ 6623821. stm). BBC News. 2006-05-04. .
[14] Ian Swanson (2007-07-17). "Vicky: 16-year mystery close to an end" (http:/ / edinburghnews. scotsman. com/ index. cfm?id=1113222007).
Edinburgh Evening News. . Retrieved 2007-07-21.
[15] "Man arrested over missing Vicky" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ 6910234. stm). BBC News. 2007-07-21. . Retrieved
2007-07-21.
Peter Tobin 149
[16] Adam Morris (2007-10-03). "Vicky hunt heads south" (http:/ / edinburghnews. scotsman. com/ uk. cfm?id=1580522007). Edinburgh
Evening News. . Retrieved 2007-10-26.
[17] 51°22′35.83″N 1°24′32.27″E
[18] "Police ID body in Peter Tobin garden" (http:/ / news. sky. com/ skynews/ article/ 0,,30100-1292756,00. html). Sky News. 2007-11-14. .
[19] "Trial announced for Vicky accused" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ tayside_and_central/ 7446020. stm). BBC News.
2008-06-10. . Retrieved 2008-07-16.
[20] "Tobin guilty of schoolgirl murder" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ tayside_and_central/ 7754313. stm). BBC. . Retrieved
2008-12-02.
[21] "Vicky trial told about home swap" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ tayside_and_central/ 7727335. stm). BBC News. 2008-11-13. .
[22] "Neighbour 'spotted Vicky accused'" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ tayside_and_central/ 7724806. stm). BBC News. 2008-11-12.
. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
[23] "How forensic science caught Tobin" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ tayside_and_central/ 7759713. stm). BBC News.
2008-12-02. . Retrieved 2008-12-05.
[24] HMA v Peter Britton Tobin - High Court ruling (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ shared/ bsp/ hi/ pdfs/ 12_02_08_tobinsentencing. pdf)
[25] Tobin to appeal Vicky conviction (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ scotland/ tayside_and_central/ 7777787. stm)
[26] Tobin drops Vicky Hamilton murder appeal (http:/ / www. heraldscotland. com/ tobin-drops-vicky-hamilton-murder-appeal-1. 905014)
[27] Kim Perks (2007-11-05). "What happened to Dinah McNicol?" (http:/ / www. essex. police. uk/ news/ n_cont. php?articleId=3362). Essex
Police. . Retrieved 2008-12-04.
[28] "Second body confirmed as Dinah's" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ 7104278. stm). BBC News. 2007-11-20. . Retrieved
2007-11-20.
[29] Trial of child killer Peter Tobin halted due to illness (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ newstopics/ politics/ lawandorder/ 5767143/
Trial-of-child-killer-Peter-Tobin-halted-due-to-illness. html)
[30] Peter Tobin 'buried teenage victim at suburban house' (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ 6810632/
Peter-Tobin-buried-teenage-victim-at-suburban-house. html)
[31] Peter Tobin is guilty of Dinah McNicol murder (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 8416672. stm)
[32] Piecing together serial killer Peter Tobin's past (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 8132283. stm)
Robert Black (serial killer)

Robert Black
Robert Black mugshot

Born: 21 April 1947

Grangemouth, Scotland
Killings
Number of victims: 4+
Date apprehended: 14 July 1990
Robert Black (born 21 April 1947 in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, Scotland) is a Scottish serial killer and child
molester. He kidnapped, raped and murdered three girls during the 1980s, kidnapped a fourth girl who survived,
attempted to kidnap a fifth, and is the suspect in a number of unsolved child murders dating back to the 1970s
throughout Europe. On December 16th 2009, Black was charged with the murder of Jennifer Cardy, a 9 year old girl
whose body was found at McKee's Dam near Hillsborough, County Down in August 1981.[1]
Early life
His natural mother, Jessie Hunter Black, refused to put Black's father's name on his birth certificate and had him
fostered. Black was brought up by a foster couple who were in their 50s, Jack and Margaret Tulip.[2] Black didn't fit
in at school and was given the nickname 'Smelly Robby Tulip' by his classmates, who noticed that Black preferred to
hang around with children a year or two younger than him rather than people his own age.[3] He developed an early
reputation for aggressive and wayward behaviour. Locals recalled that Black often had bruises, although Black
himself later said he couldn't remember how he had got those injuries.[4] Margaret Tulip died in 1958, when Black
was just 11, and he was initially sent to a children's home in Falkirk. His increasingly difficult behaviour meant he
was moved several times over the following years.[5]
Early crimes
While living with the Tulips, Robert Black developed sexual self-awareness at a young age. He later said that from
the age of eight he would often push objects up his anus.[6] This was a practice that he would continue into
adulthood. As a young child, he also had an interest in the genitals of other children. At the age of just five, he and a
girl both took off their clothes and compared each others' genitals.[7]
Black first attempted rape at the age of 12 along with two other boys. They attacked a girl in a field, but found
themselves unable to complete the act of penetration.[8] The authorities were notified and Black was moved to the
Red House in Musselburgh. While there, a male staff member sexually abused him. It was while Black was at Red
House that he also entered Musselburgh Grammar School where he developed an interest in football and
swimming.[9]
At 15, Black left Red House and found a job working as a delivery boy in Greenock near Glasgow. He later admitted
that, while on his rounds, he molested 30 to 40 girls with various degrees of success. None of these incidents seem to
have been officially reported until his first conviction at the age of 17 when he lured a seven-year-old girl to a
deserted building, strangled her until she lost consciousness and then masturbated over her body. He was arrested
and convicted of "lewd and libidinous" behaviour for this offence, but received only an admonishment.[10]
After this, Black moved back to Grangemouth and got a job with a builders' supply company. He also found a
girlfriend, Pamela Hodgson, fell in love and asked her to marry him. Black was devastated when she ended the
relationship several months later.[11] In 1966, Black's inappropriate manifestation of his sexual desires resurfaced
when he molested his landlord and landlady's nine-year old granddaughter. The girl eventually told her parents. They
took no legal action but Black was ordered to leave the house.[12]
At this time, Black moved to Kinlochleven where he was raised. He took a room with a couple who had a
seven-year-old daughter. As before, Black molested the girl. This time, when the sexual abuse was discovered,
police were notified. Black was eventually sentenced to a year of borstal training at Polmont.[13]
On his release, Black left Scotland and moved to London. His abuse of young girls subsided for a time when he
discovered child pornography — when police searched his home after his arrests for murder, they discovered more
than 100 magazines and 50 videos. In London, Black found work as a swimming pool attendant and would
sometimes go underneath the pool, remove the lights and watch young girls as they swam. Soon, a young girl
complained that Black had touched her and while no official charges were brought, Black lost his job.[14]
While Black lived in London he spent a lot of time in pubs playing darts. He became a reasonable player, and
became a well-known face on the amateur darts circuit. Darts world champion Eric Bristow knew Black vaguely
during this time, remembering him as a "loner" who never seemed to have a girlfriend.[15] In 1976, Black began
working as a van driver. It was while working as a driver that he developed a thorough knowledge of some of the
UK's roads, particularly its minor roads.[16]
Murder of Susan Maxwell

On 30 July 1982, 11-year-old Susan Maxwell from the village of Cornhill on Tweed, on the English side of the
English/Scottish border left her home to play a game of tennis across the border in Coldstream. Several local
witnesses remembered seeing her until she crossed the bridge over the River Tweed, after which there were no
sightings of Susan. Nobody saw it happen, but at some point between the river and Coldstream Susan was abducted
by Black. He raped and strangled her and dumped her body by the side of a road near Uttoxeter, about 250 miles
away in central England.[17]
Murder of Caroline Hogg

In the evening of 8 July 1983, five-year-old Caroline Hogg from Portobello on the outskirts of Edinburgh went out to
play near her home for a few minutes. She never returned. Many witnesses reported seeing a scruffy-looking man
watching a young girl, believed to be Caroline, in the playground near her home, then holding hands with her in a
nearby amusement arcade. The man was Black. Caroline's body was found 10 days later in a ditch in Leicestershire,
around 300 miles from her home. The cause of death could not be determined due to decomposition (as had been the
case with Susan Maxwell), but the absence of clothes suggested a sexual motive.[18]
Murder of Sarah Harper

Three years later, on 26 March 1986, 10-year-old Sarah Harper went missing from Morley in Leeds after leaving her
home to go to the corner shop to buy a loaf of bread. The shopkeeper remembered Sarah coming in to the shop, but
she never returned home. The last sighting of Sarah was of her walking towards the snicket that she used as a
shortcut. Black kidnapped, raped and murdered her. Her body was found dumped in the River Trent near
Nottingham a month later.
Police investigation
The three bodies were found within 26 miles of each other, and police already believed that the murders were linked.
Detectives also thought that, because all three victims had been left long distances from where they had been taken,
that the killer travelled as part of his occupation - possibly a lorry driver. The police faced great pressure to solve the
crimes, as some newspapers compared them to the Moors Murders. It was one of the first inquiries to widely use the
HOLMES computer system, following recommendations in the aftermath of the Yorkshire Ripper investigation.[19]
Capture and first trial

Black was arrested on 14 July 1990, near Stow, Scotland. He was seen snatching a six-year-old girl off the street and
bundling her into his van. An alert member of the public called the police who chased after the van and subsequently
apprehended Black when the van was recognised as he doubled back. The little girl's father discovered the child in
the back of the van, tied up, gagged with tape and stuffed head-first into a sleeping bag. Apart from suffering from
shock, the girl was uninjured. A search of Black's home revealed a large collection of child pornography.[20]
The following month, Black was convicted of abduction and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Murder trial
Police suspected Black of the murders of Susan Maxwell, Caroline Hogg and Sarah Harper. They checked his petrol
receipts and eventually charged Black with all three murders, in addition to the attempted kidnapping of a
15-year-old girl who had escaped the clutches of a man who had tried to drag her into a van in 1988.
Black stood trial at Newcastle upon Tyne Moot Hall on Wednesday 13 April 1994 and denied the charges.[21]
Having sifted through many thousands of petrol-station receipts, the prosecution was able to place him at all the
scenes and show the similarities between the three killings and the kidnap of the six-year-old girl who had been
rescued. Juries are not usually allowed to know of a defendant's current or past convictions, but in this case the judge
allowed it.
On 19 May, the jury found Black guilty on all counts, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment and told that he
should serve at least 35 years. This would keep him behind bars until at least 2029, when he would be 82.
References
[1] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ northern_ireland/ 8415233. stm
[2] http:/ / www. murderuk. com/ child_killers_robert_black. html|MurderUK Robert Black
[3] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ black/ violence_1. html
[4] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ black/ violence_1. html
[6] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ black/ part_2. html
[7] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ black/ part_2. html
[8] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ black/ submission_3. html
[9] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ black/ submission_3. html
[10] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ black/ murder_4. html
[11] http:/ / www. murderuk. com/ child_killers_robert_black. html
[12] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ black/ murder_4. html
[13] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ black/ fantasy_5. html
[17] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ black/ girls_6. html
[18] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ black/ girls_6. html
[19] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ black/ brutality_7. html
[20] http:/ / www. trutv. com/ library/ crime/ serial_killers/ predators/ black/ blood_8. html
Robert Maudsley
Robert John Maudsley (born June 1953) is a British serial killer responsible for the murders of four people. He
committed three of these murders in prison after receiving a life sentence for a single murder. He is alleged to have
eaten part of the brain of one of three men he killed in prison, which has earned him the nickname "Hannibal the
Cannibal" among the British press.[1]
Early life
He was one of 12 children, born in the Toxteth area of Liverpool, and spent most of his early years in Nazareth
House (an orphanage run by nuns) in Crosby, Liverpool. At the age of eight, he was retrieved by his parents and
beaten regularly until he was eventually removed from their care by social services.[1] During the late 1960s, as a
teenager, Maudsley was a rent boy in London to support his drug addiction. He was finally forced to seek psychiatric
help after several suicide attempts. It was during his talk with doctors that he claimed to hear voices telling him to
kill his parents.[1]
Murders
In 1974, Maudsley garrotted a man who picked him up for sex after the man showed Maudsley pictures of children
he had sexually abused. Maudsley was arrested and later sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommendation that
he should never be released. He was sent to Broadmoor Hospital for the criminally insane. In 1977, Maudsley and
another inmate took a third patient (a convicted paedophile) hostage and locked themselves in a cell with their
captive, before torturing him to death. When guards eventually smashed their way into the cell, the hostage's skull
was found cracked open with a spoon wedged in his brain and pieces missing. It is believed that Maudsley ate part of
his victim's brain.[1]
After this incident, Maudsley was convicted of manslaughter and sent to Wakefield Prison. He disliked the transfer
and made it clear he wanted to return to Broadmoor.[1]
Robert Maudsley 154
One afternoon in 1978 he killed two more fellow prisoners. Maudsley's first victim of the day was sex offender
Salney Darwood. Maudsley had invited Darwood to his cell, where he garroted and stabbed him before hiding his
body under his bed. He then attempted to lure fellow prisoners into his cell, but all refused.[1]
Maudsley then went on the prowl around the wing hunting for a second victim, eventually cornering and stabbing
prisoner Bill Roberts to death. He hacked at his skull with a makeshift dagger and smashed his head against the wall.
Maudsley then calmly walked into the prison officer's room, placed the dagger on the table and told him that the next
roll call would be two short.[1]
A New Room
In 1983, Maudsley was deemed too dangerous for a normal cell, so prison authorities built a two-cell unit in the
basement of Wakefield Prison to house him for the continuation of his confinement. The cell is perspex[1] and the
furniture is made of cardboard.[2] [3] He remains in solitary confinement 25 years on, and once a day he is allowed
out of his cell for one hour's exercise in a yard 20 feet long by 12 feet wide. Every move he made was always under
watchful eye of at least five guards.[1] He has not come into contact with any other inmates since being moved into
the cell. [4]
References
[1] The caged misery of Britain's real 'Hannibal the Cannibal (http:/ / observer. guardian. co. uk/ crimedebate/ story/ 0,12079,944515,00. html)
[2] "Special new unit for Britain's three most dangerous prisoners - News - The Independent" (http:/ / www. independent. co. uk/ news/
special-new-unit-for-britains-three-most-dangerous-prisoners-1114958. html). www.independent.co.uk. . Retrieved 2009-01-16.
[3] "Jail within a jail will house most evil six prisoners - Telegraph" (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ uknews/ 1319231/
Jail-within-a-jail-will-house-most-evil-six-prisoners. html). telegraph.co.uk. . Retrieved 2009-01-16.
[4] http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ uk/ 2003/ apr/ 27/ ukcrime
Robert Napper
Robert Clive Napper (born 25 February 1966) is a convicted British murderer and rapist who was remanded in
Broadmoor Hospital indefinitely on 18 December 2008 for the manslaughter of Rachel Nickell on 15 July 1992. He
was previously convicted of the 1993 double murder of Samantha Bisset and her daughter Jazmine.[1]
He is a paranoid schizophrenic who has also been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.[1]
Early life
Robert Napper is the oldest child of Brian Napper, a driving instructor, and his wife Pauline.[1] Born in Erith, Greater
London, Napper was raised in Plumstead, South East London in his early years. The marriage of his parents was
violent; Napper witnessed violent attacks on his mother which ended in divorce when he was 10. Napper and his
siblings (two brothers and a sister) were placed in foster care and underwent psychiatric treatment.[2] The psychiatric
counselling Napper had at the Maudsley Hospital in Camberwell lasted for six years.
Meanwhile, Napper underwent a personality change after a family friend assaulted him on a camping holiday when
he was 12. The offender was jailed,[3] but Napper became introverted, obsessively tidy and reclusive according to his
mother.[2] He also bullied his siblings and spied on his sister while she undressed.
Robert Napper 155
Criminal activities
In 1986, Napper was convicted of an offence with an airgun,[2] and given a conditional discharge.[4] In October
1989,[5] police had rejected information conveyed in a phonecall from Napper's mother that her son had admitted to
perpetrating a rape on Plumstead Common. No case apparently matched the evidence. However, it emerged at the
time of Napper's second conviction, that a rape of a 30-year-old woman, in front of her children, eight weeks earlier,
had been reported to have occurred in a house which backed on to Plumstead Common. At this point, Pauline
Napper broke off all contact with her son.[2]
On 15 July 1992 on Wimbledon Common, Napper stabbed the young mother Rachel Nickell forty-nine times in
front of her son Alex, then aged two, who clung on to his mother's body begging her to wake up. Napper was
questioned about unsolved attacks on women during the year, but was eliminated from inquiries.[6]
In November 1993, in the Bisset home in Plumstead, South East London, Napper stabbed 27-year-old Samantha
Bisset in her neck and chest, killing her, and then sexually assaulted[7] and smothered her four-year-old daughter,
Jazmine Jemima Bisset.[5] [8] In her sitting room, the 6' 2" Napper mutilated Samantha's body. He even took away
part of her body as a trophy. The police photographer was off work for two years from the impact of witnessing the
murder scene.[5]
After a fingerprint belonging to Napper was recovered from Samantha's flat, he was arrested, and charged with the
murders of Samantha and Jazmine Bisset, in May 1994. Napper was convicted at the Old Bailey in October 1995. He
also admitted two rapes and two attempted rapes at this time.[4] From the time of the first Old Bailey trial, he has
been held at Broadmoor. In December 1995 he was questioned about Nickell's death but denied any involvement.[6]
Napper is also believed to be the "Green Chain Rapist", who carried out at least 70 savage attacks across south-east
London over a four-year period ending in 1994. The earliest of the 'Green Chain' rapes have been linked to Napper,
and were those he admitted to in 1995.[2] Napper is known to have kept detailed records of the sites of potential and
actual attacks on women.
The investigation to find Nickell's murderer resulted in the attempted prosecution of an innocent man, Colin Stagg,
until, in 2004, advances in DNA profiling revealed Napper's connection to the case. On 18 December 2008, Napper
was convicted of the manslaughter of Rachel Nickell on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He also admitted
to four other attacks on women.[4]
Napper was to be held indefinitely at Broadmoor Hospital. At the same time, Colin Stagg received a public apology
from the police.
In his summing up at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Griffiths Williams said to Napper: "You are on any view a very
dangerous man".[9]
External links
• Daily Mail report on Napper [10]
References
[1] Sean O'Neill and Adam Fresco "Inside the mind of Robert Napper", (http:/ / www. timesonline. co. uk/ tol/ news/ uk/ crime/ article5365060.
ece) The Times, 18 December 2008.
[2] Sandra Laville "Nickell murder: Missed clues that allowed Napper to kill again", (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ uk/ 2008/ dec/ 18/
robert-napper-clues) The Guardian, 18 December 2008.
[3] Richard Edwards, Murray Wardrop and David Millward "Rachel Nickell: Profile of killer Robert Napper", (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/
news/ uknews/ 3813236/ Rachel-Nickell-Profile-of-killer-Robert-Napper. html) Daily Telegraph, 18 December 2008.
[4] Sarah White "Killer who slipped through the net" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 7697876. stm), BBC News, 18 December 2008.
[5] Shenai Raif "Rachel's killer caught by new DNA techniques" (http:/ / www. independent. co. uk/ news/ uk/ crime/
rachels-killer-caught-by-new-dna-techniques-1203073. html), Press Association report reproduced on The Independent website, 18 December
2008
Robert Napper 156
[6] "Rachel Nickell's killer finally brought to justice", (http:/ / www. independent. co. uk/ news/ uk/ crime/
rachel-nickells-killer-finally-brought-to-justice-1203036. html) The Independent, 18 December 2008
[7] Richard Edwards Rachel Nickell: Mistakes allowed Robert Napper to kill Samantha and Jazmine Bisset", (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/
news/ uknews/ 3832069/ Rachel-Nickell-Mistakes-allowed-Robert-Napper-to-kill-Samantha-and-Jazmine-Bisset. html) Daily Telegraph, 18
December 2008.
[8] Births and Deaths England and Wales 1984-2006 (http:/ / www. findmypast. com/ BirthsMarriagesDeaths. jsp)
[9] Sandra Laville, et al. "Rachel Nickell killing: Serial rapist Robert Napper pleads guilty", (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ uk/ 2008/ dec/ 18/
rachel-nickell-robert-napper-murder-guilty) The Guardian, 18 December 2008.
[10] http:/ / www. dailymail. co. uk/ news/ article-1097484/ Robert-Napper-Factory-workers-secret-life-stalker-rapist-frenzied-knife-killer. html
Rosemary West 157
Rosemary West
Rose West
Fred and Rosemary in the mid 1980s

Birth name: Rosemary Pauline Letts
Born: 29 November 1953

Barnstaple, Devon, England,
UK
Conviction: Indecent assault

Murder
Killings
Span of killings: June 1971–May 1987
Country: England
Date apprehended: April 1994
Rosemary Pauline "Rose" West (née Letts) (b. 29 November 1953 in Barnstaple) is an English serial killer, now
an inmate at HMP Low Newton, Brasside, Durham, after being convicted of 10 murders in 1995. Her husband Fred,
who committed suicide in prison while awaiting trial, is believed to have collaborated with her in the torture and
murder of at least 10 young women,[1] many at the couple's home in Gloucester, England.
Fred West is known to have carried out 12 murders. Rosemary West had no involvement in the first two; she had not
met Fred at the time.
Early life and marriage to Fred West

Rosemary Letts was born in Barnstaple, Devon,[2] to William Andrew and Daisy Gwendoline Letts after a difficult
pregnancy. Her mother suffered from depression and was given ECT while pregnant; some have argued that this
may have caused prenatal injury to her daughter.[3] Rosemary grew up into a moody teenager and performed poorly
at school.
Rosemary's parents split up when she was a teenager. She lived with her mother before moving in with her father at
the age of 16; her father was prone to violence and repeatedly sexually abused her. At around this time, she began
dating West. Her father disapproved of the relationship, threatening to call social services and threatening West
directly. However, by 1970, Rosemary found herself pregnant by West and caring for his daughter Anna-Marie (by
his previous marriage to Rena Costello) and his stepdaughter, Charmaine (daughter of Rena Costello and an
Rosemary West 158
unknown man).
Rosemary West and her husband were convicted of sexual assault in January 1973. They were fined for indecent
assault of Caroline Roberts (née Owen), who escaped the couple's home after being attacked and reported them to
the police. The Wests' typical pattern was to pick up girls from bus stops in and around Gloucester and imprison
them in their home for several days before killing them.[4]
She also periodically worked as a prostitute, often while her husband watched.[5] One of the most frequent visitors to
25 Cromwell Street was her father, by whom she had been abused from a young age. She was often pregnant and
was the mother of eight children: Heather Anne (October 1970), Mae (June 1972), Stephen Andrew (August 1973),
Tara (December 1977), Louise (November 1978), Barry (June 1980), Rosemarie (April 1982) and Lucyanna (July
1983). Five of these were fathered by Fred West, while Tara, Rosemarie and Lucyanna were fathered by West Indian
clients who had used Rosemary as a prostitute.
It is reported that, even after the birth of her fourth child, Rosemary's father would still visit her for sex, and would
then have sex with Fred's daughter Anne-Marie.[6]
Other possible victims

The crimes for which Rosemary West was convicted occurred mainly between April 1973 and August 1978. She
murdered Charmaine West, the daughter of Fred's previous wife Rena, in June 1971, and buried her in their previous
home of 25 Midland Road, Gloucester whilst Fred West was serving a prison sentence for petty theft. One of the
bodies found at 25 Cromwell Street was that of their daughter, Heather, who was murdered in June 1987 at the age
of 16, after being abused by Rosemary while Fred raped her. The Wests told friends and concerned parties that
Heather had gone away to work at a holiday village.
In August 1992 Fred West was arrested after being accused of raping his 13-year-old daughter three times, and
Rosemary West was arrested for child cruelty. This case against them collapsed in June 1993 when their daughter
refused to testify in court. All of the Wests' children were removed from their custody to foster homes. This case
brought to light the disappearance of Heather West, who had not been seen since 1987, and triggered the major
investigation that followed.
Conviction
Although she did not confess, the circumstantial evidence against Rosemary West was overwhelming. She went on
trial in October 1995, nine months after her husband's suicide. He had hanged himself in Winson Green Prison with a
knotted bed-sheet on 1 January that year, despite being on suicide watch.
The jury was unanimous. On 22 November 1995 West was found guilty of 10 murders. The judge, Mr Justice
Mantell, sentenced her to life imprisonment, saying: "If attention is paid to what I think, you will never be
released."[7]
The Lord Chief Justice later decided that she should spend at least 25 years in prison, but in July 1997 Home
Secretary Jack Straw subjected West to a whole life tariff.[8] [9] This was only the second instance, in modern times,
of a British woman being condemned to die in prison. The other was serial killer Myra Hindley, who has since died.
At the start of her sentence, West was held at the same prison as Hindley.[10]
The house at Cromwell Street (along with the adjoining property) was demolished in 1996. The site is now occupied
by a public walkway.[11]
In 2001 West announced her intention not to appeal, while maintaining her innocence.[12]
Rosemary West 159
Further reading
• Bennett, John (2005). The Cromwell Street Murders: The Detective's Story. Sutton Publishing.
ISBN 0750942738.
• Burn, Gordon (1998). Happy Like Murderers. Faber and Faber (London). ISBN 0571195466.
• Masters, Brian (1996). She Must Have Known: Trial of Rosemary West. Doubleday (London). ISBN 0385406509.
• Roberts, Caroline (2005). The Lost Girl: How I Triumphed Over Life at the Mercy of Fred and Rose West. Metro
Books (London). ISBN 1843580888.
• Sounes, Howard (1995). Fred and Rose: The Full Story of Fred and Rose West and the Gloucester House of
Horrors. Warner Books (London). ISBN 0751513229.
• Wansell, Geoffrey (1996). An Evil Love: The Life of Frederick West. Hodder Headline (London).
ISBN 0747217602.
• West, Anne Marie (1995). Out of the Shadows: Fred West's Daughter Tells Her Harrowing Story of Survival.
Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0671719688.
• Wilson, Colin (1998). The Corpse Garden. True Crime Library (London). ISBN 1874358249.
External links
• BBC website about the West murder case [13]
• BBC report of West's conviction [14]
• R v Rosemary Pauline West 1996 LTL C0004000 [15] Abridged Court of appeal decision
• Time [16]
• CourtTV Crime Library- Fred and Rosemary West [17]
• Murder Uk [18]
• Rosemary West demands autopsy on pet (December 2007) [19]
• Transcript of police interview [20]
References
[1] BBC Article with detail of the 12 accusations. (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ onthisday/ hi/ dates/ stories/ november/ 22/ newsid_2549000/
2549073. stm) Retrieval Date: 14 August 2007.
[2] "[[Gloucester Police (http:/ / www. gloucestershire. police. uk/ foi/ Information Classes/ Downloads/ item3965. pdf)] Media Information
Pack"]. . Retrieved 2009=01=26.
[3] http:/ / www. crimeandinvestigation. co. uk/ famous_criminal/ 3/ home/ 1/ Rosemary_West. htm
[4] http:/ / www. tvsa. co. za/ default. asp?blogname=fromthecouch& ArticleID=2556
[5] http:/ / www. crimeandinvestigation. co. uk/ famous_criminal/ 3/ biography/ 1/ Rosemary_West. htm
[6] Burn 1998, pp. 225-227
[7] Staff (14 October 2000) "Chilling list includes torturers, rapists and serial killers" (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ uknews/ 1370261/
Chilling-list-includes-torturers-rapists-and-serial-killers. html) The Daily Telegraph
[8] "Bellfield joins list of those to die in jail - Times Online" (http:/ / www. timesonline. co. uk/ tol/ news/ uk/ crime/ article3440142. ece).
timesonline.co.uk. . Retrieved 2010-02-23.
[9] "Law: The man who could free Myra Hindley" (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ world/ 2002/ may/ 28/ law. humanrights). guardian.co.uk. .
[10] "BBC ON THIS DAY" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ onthisday/ hi/ dates/ stories/ november/ 22/ newsid_2549000/ 2549073. stm).
news.bbc.co.uk. . Retrieved 2010-02-23.
[11] "BBC NEWS" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ magazine/ 3593137. stm). news.bbc.co.uk. . Retrieved 2010-02-23.
[12] Milmo, Cahal (1 October 2001). "Rosemary West drops appeal case" (http:/ / www. independent. co. uk/ news/ uk/ this-britain/
rosemary-west-drops-appeal-case-671440. html). The Independent. . Retrieved 2008-11-09.
[13] http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20060615114431/ www. bbc. co. uk/ crime/ caseclosed/ fredwest1. shtml
[14] http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ onthisday/ hi/ dates/ stories/ november/ 22/ newsid_2549000/ 2549073. stm
[15] http:/ / www. a-level-law. com/ caselibrary/ R%20v%20WEST%20(1996)%20LTL%20C0004000%20-%20CA. doc
[16] http:/ / www. time. com/ time/ international/ 1995/ 951204/ dispatches. html
[17] http:/ / www. crimelibrary. com/ serial_killers/ weird/ west/ index_1. html
[18] http:/ / www. murderuk. com/ serial_rosemary_fred_west. html
Rosemary West 160
[19] http:/ / www. thesun. co. uk/ sol/ homepage/ news/ article572593. ece
[20] http:/ / neil-paton. tripod. com/ inter. htm
Steve Wright (serial killer)

Steve Wright
Wright's mugshot
Birth name: Steven Gerald James Wright
Also known as: Suffolk Strangler

Ipswich Ripper
Born: 24 April 1958

Erpingham, Norfolk, England
Conviction: 5 counts of murder
Sentence: Life imprisonment, with recommendation of a whole life tariff
Killings
Span of killings: 30 October 2006–9 December 2006
Country: England
Date apprehended: 19 December 2006
Steven Gerald James Wright (born 24 April 1958)[1] is an English serial killer, also known as the Suffolk
Strangler and the Ipswich Ripper. He is currently serving life imprisonment for the murder of five women who
worked as prostitutes in Ipswich, Suffolk. The killings took place during late 2006 and Wright was found guilty in
February 2008.
Early life
Wright was born in the Norfolk village of Erpingham,[1] the second of four children of military policeman Conrad
and veterinary nurse[2] Patricia.[3] He has an older brother David and two younger sisters,[4] Jeanette and Tina.[2]
While Wright's father was on military service, the family had lived in both Malta and Singapore.[2] [5] Wright's
mother left in 1964[6] when he was 8;[3] his father divorced his mother in 1977;[1] both later remarried. Wright and
his siblings lived with their father, who fathered a son, Keith and daughter, Natalie with his second wife, Valerie.[2]
Wright left school in 1974 and soon afterwards joined the Merchant Navy, becoming a chef on ferries sailing from
Felixstowe, Suffolk. In 1978 in Milford Haven, he married Angela O'Donovan. They had a son, Michael. The couple
separated in 1987 and later divorced.[7] Wright became a steward on the QE2, a lorry driver, a barman and just prior
to his arrest, a forklift truck driver. Former prostitute Lindi St Clair said she was attacked by Steve Wright in the
1980s.[8] His second marriage was to 32 year old Diane Cassell at Braintree register office in August[6] 1987[2] They
split in July 1988[6] while he was a pub landlord in Norwich.[2] He was in a relationship with Sarah Whiteley from
1989-1993, whilst managing a public house in South London. She gave birth to his daughter in 1992.[2] This post
was lost due to his gambling and heavy drinking. He was convicted in 2001 of theft, stealing £80 to pay off his
debts.[2] This was his only criminal conviction prior to the murders.[4] It is known that throughout these times Wright
built up large debts largely through gambling,[5] and has recently been declared bankrupt.[2] Wright had twice tried
to commit suicide, first by carbon monoxide poisoning in his car in the mid-1990s; secondly in 2000, by an overdose
of pills.[2] A Thai woman, Somchit Chomphusaeng, says she married Wright in Thailand in 1999.[6]
The Suffolk murders

Wright met Pamela Wright (the shared surname is a coincidence) in 2001 in Felixstowe and they moved to the house
in Ipswich together in 2004.[2] Wright had always admitted that he had used prostitutes and had done since he was in
the Merchant Navy,[5] and continually throughout his life.[2] In Ipswich he admitted he went to certain massage and
sauna establishments that were actually brothels.[2] Throughout his trial he had stated that he had used prostitutes on
many occasions, including three of the victims and when his partner began working night shifts their sex life became
almost non-existent; he returned to prostitutes who were based on the nearby streets, procuring a dozen in the final
three months of 2006.[5]
Wright was found guilty of all five murders on 21 February 2008. On the following day, he was sentenced to life
imprisonment and the judge recommended that he should never be released.
It was announced on 19 March, 2008 that Wright would be appealing against his convictions.[9] However, on 2
February 2009, it was announced that Wright had decided to drop this appeal case.[10]
Possible links to other crimes

Wright is still being investigated in connection with other murders and disappearances, including the Suzy Lamplugh
case; he had worked with Lamplugh on the QE2 ocean liner during the early 1980s. Lamplugh was last seen alive in
1986 and was legally declared dead in 1994, but her body has never been found.[11] However, the Metropolitan
Police have stated that this is not a strong line of enquiry.[12]
Cleveland police have not ruled out a link between Wright and the murder of Vicky Glass, a heroin addict who
vanished from Middlesbrough in September 2000. Her naked body was later found in a stream on the North Yorks
Moors.[13]
External links
• Ipswich serial killer Steve Wright [14], ITV Local
References
[1] Girlfriend insists new suspect is innocent as forensic teams search their home (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ uk/ 2006/ dec/ 20/
suffolkmurders. estheraddley)
[2] "My anger is buried deep inside" (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ uk/ 2008/ feb/ 21/ suffolkmurders. ukcrime1). The Guardian. 21 February
2008. . Retrieved 23 February 2008.
[3] BBC profile (http:/ / www. bbc. co. uk/ suffolk/ content/ articles/ 2008/ 02/ 21/ steve_wright_guilty_profile_feature. shtml)
[4] Steve Wright: A real Jekyll and Hyde (http:/ / www. telegraph. co. uk/ news/ uknews/ 1579403/ Steve-Wright-A-real-Jekyll-and-Hyde. html)
[5] "Ipswich Killings Trials" (http:/ / www. eadt. co. uk/ content/ ipswichkillings/ people. aspx?person=SteveWright). East Anglian Daily Times.
25 February 2008. . Retrieved 25 February 2008.
[6] The ex-wife's story (http:/ / www. dailymail. co. uk/ news/ article-517409/
the-ex-wifes-story-My-violent-life-Suffolk-strangler-flirtation-QE2-Suzy-Lamplugh. html)
[7] He was rude and aggressive, but no-one's idea of a killer (http:/ / www. timesonline. co. uk/ tol/ news/ uk/ crime/ article3411602. ece)
[8] "Wright 'attacked ex-prostitute'" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ hereford/ worcs/ 7265501. stm). BBC. 27 February 2008. .
Retrieved 27 February 2008.
[9] MSN news (http:/ / news. uk. msn. com/ Article. aspx?cp-documentid=7851359)
[10] Serial killer drops appeal case (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ suffolk/ 7864669. stm)
[11] Batty, Dave; and agencies (22 February 2008). "Police investigate 'link' between Wright and Suzy Lamplugh" (http:/ / www. guardian. co.
uk/ uk/ 2008/ feb/ 22/ suffolkmurders. law). The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). . Retrieved 22 February 2008.
[12] "Wright 'not linked to Suzy death'" (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ london/ 7401250. stm). BBC News (BBC). 14 May 2008. .
[13] "Motive still unknown as serial killer faces rest of life in prison" (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ uk/ 2008/ feb/ 22/ suffolkmurders.
ukcrime), The Guardian, 22 February 2008.
[14] http:/ / info. itvlocal. com/ Ipswichserialkiller. shtml
Steven Grieveson
Steven Grieveson
Birth name: Steven John Grieveson
Also known as: The Sunderland

Strangler
Born: 1970 (age 39–40)

Sunderland
Killings
Country: England
Date apprehended: 11 March 1994
Steven John Grieveson (born 1970) is an English serial killer who was convicted on 28 February 1996 of the
murders of three teenage boys in the city of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear from 1993 to 1994.[1] It was ascertained at
his trial that Grieveson murdered the boys in order to conceal his homosexuality.[2] He was subsequently ordered to
serve at least 35 years for the three murders.
Murders and trial

On 26 November 1993 Grieveson murdered 18-year-old Thomas Kelly in an abandoned allotment shed in Fulwell,
Sunderland. On 4 February 1994 he murdered 15-year-old David Hanson in Roker Terrace, before finally murdering
15-year-old David Grieff on 25 February 1994 near Fulwell in Sunderland.[3]
Following an extensive investigation, Grieveson was arrested for the murders on 11 March 1994 and faced a
six-week trial in 1996 where he was handed three life sentences for murder. He was ordered to serve a minimum of
35 years in prison.
Other possible murders

In November 2000, Steven Grieveson, serving his three life sentences at Full Sutton Prison, was arrested and
questioned over the murder of 14-year-old Simon Martin, who was murdered in Gilside House, Roker, in 1990.[4]
In June 2004, Grieveson wrote a letter to the Victim Liaison Services admitting murdering his three victims, but did
not admit to the murder of Simon Martin and was not charged with the murder.[5]
As of 2009, he continues to serve his sentences in prison.
References
[1] Gay serial killer is given three life sentences | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET.com (http:/ / findarticles. com/ p/ articles/
mi_qn4158/ is_19960229/ ai_n14036787)
[2] Secret gay 'killed and burned three boys' | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET.com (http:/ / findarticles. com/ p/ articles/
mi_qn4158/ is_19960131/ ai_n9631685)
[3] BBC News | UK | 'We're sorry', police tell murder victims' parents (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ low/ uk/ 38220. stm)
[4] The Northern Echo - Murderer denies role in youth's death (http:/ / archive. thenorthernecho. co. uk/ 2000/ 11/ 7/ 187557. html)
[5] BBC NEWS | England | Wear | Triple murderer admits his guilt (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ england/ wear/ 3839469. stm)
Thomas Griffiths Wainewright

Thomas Griffiths Wainewright (October 1794 – 17 August 1847) was an artist, writer and infamous poisoner.
Early life
Wainewright was born into affluence and London literary society in Richmond, London, England[1] but was
orphaned when he was very young. His father's identity has never been firmly established. He may have been an
apothecary, although it is more likely that he was a lawyer and came from a family that practiced the law over many
years. He died when Thomas was a boy. His mother died giving birth to him but of her interesting background we
have a very complete picture. She was Ann, the daughter of Ralph Griffiths (1720-1803), for many years the editor
of The Monthly Review. Thomas and his father lived in an extended family situation with his maternal grandfather at
Linden House at Turnham Green in what was then London's rural periphery. Griffiths was well connected in the
literary world and Thomas must have profitted from the society that visited Griffiths home. When Griffiths wrote his
will in 1803 Thomas's father was already dead and he himself died later in that year. The child then came under the
care of his maternal uncle, George Griffiths. He was educated at the expense of his distant relative, Charles Burney,
the headmaster of the Greenwich academy that Wainewright attended. His background was most advantageous and
his early adulthood was the evidence that he profited from it.
Wainewright subsequently served as an officer in the guards and as cornet in a yeomanry regiment.
Literary career
In 1819 he embarked on a literary career, and began to write for The Literary Pocket-Book, Blackwoods Magazine
and The Foreign Quarterly Review. He is, however, most closely linked with The London Magazine, to which, from
1820 to 1823, he contributed some clever but flippant art criticism and articles under the noms-de-plume of Janus
Weathercock, Egomet Bonmot and Cornelius van Vinkbooms. His success in publication would have been assisted
by his famous grandfather. Wainewright was a friend of Charles Lamb who thought well of his writing and in a letter
to Bernard Barton, styles him "the kind, light-hearted Wainewright." He also practised as an artist and was trained by
John Linnell and Thomas Phillips. He exhibited at the Royal Academy. He made illustrations for Chamberlayne's
poems, and from 1821 to 1825 he exhibited narratives based on literature and music at the Royal Academy,
including a Romance from Undine, Paris in the Chamber of Helen and the Milkmaid's Song. None of these works
survives.
Criminal
Owing to his extravagant habits - he was somewhat of a dandy - Wainewright's affairs became deeply involved. In
1830 he insured the life of his sister-in-law Helen Abercrombie with various companies for a sum of £18,000, and,
when she died in the December of the same year, payment was refused by them on the ground of misrepresentation.
Wainewright retired to Boulogne in July Monarchy France, was seized by the authorities as a suspected person and
imprisoned for six months. He had in his possession a quantity of strychnine, and it was afterwards found that he had
poisoned, not only his sister-in-law, his uncle, but also his mother-in-law and a Norfolk friend, although this is
disputed[1] . He returned to London in 1837, but was at once arrested on a charge of forging thirteen years before and
a transfer of stock. It would seem that the authorities used the tenable case of forgery to transport him for life for the
unprovable murders. He was sent to Hobart Town on the Susan, arriving 21 November 1837[1] . While in prison he
was asked why he poisoned his sister-in-law Helen Abercrombie, to which he replied: "Yes; it was a dreadful thing
to do, but she had very thick ankles."
Late life and legacy

During his ten years in the colony he did eventually enjoy a certain amount of freedom. After initially working on
the road gang he became an orderly in the hospital and he was able to work as an artist and painted portraits in the
homes of his subjects. Wainewright completed over one hundred portraits on paper using coloured wash, pencil and
ink during his years in Hobart. They survive not only in public museums, but also in private collections throughout
Australia, some having remained in the families of his sitters. They depict the officialdom, professionals and
members of the elite, husbands, wives and children, of early Hobart. Many, particularly those of women and
children, are in a Romantic Regency style with the sitters somewhat languidly posed if the portraits show more than
heads and shoulders. Wainwright has been summarily dismissed as a mawkishly sentimental painter of women, and
although the female portraits do not comprise the greater part of the body of his work, amongst the most distinctive
of his paintings are portraits of women and children. Many of these Tasmanian portraits are of considerable
importance in the documentation of the colony's historically significant figures. A self-portrait was completed in this
period. Wainewright had a conditional pardon granted 14 November 1846[1] , he died of apoplexy in the Hobart
Town hospital on 17 August 1847. He is buried in an unknown grave.
The Essays and Criticisms of Wainewright were published in 1880, with an account of his life, by W. Carew Hazlitt;
and the history of his crimes suggested to Charles Dickens his story of Hunted Down and to Edward Bulwer-Lytton,
1st Baron Lytton his novel of Lucretia. His personality, as artist and poisoner, has interested latter-day writers,
notably Oscar Wilde in Pen, Pencil and Poison (Fortnightly Review, Jan. 1889), and A. G. Allen, in T. Seccombe's
Twelve Bad Men (1894).[2] Wainewright has been the subject of three biographical studies: Janus Wethercock by
Jonathan Curling (Thomas Nelson and Sons, London, 1938) and Robert Crossland's Wainewright in Tasmania
(OUP, Melbourne, 1954), and more recently his life and writings, and that which has been written about him were
the basis of the poet Andrew Motion's creative biography, Wainewright the Poisoner (2000). It is likely, as suggested
by Havelock Ellis, that Wainewright was never normal after the hypochondriac period of his life when he was on the
verge of insanity if not actually insane.
Arthur Conan Doyle also mentions (or possibly mentions) Wainewright in the story The Adventure of the Illustrious
Client as "no mean artist", but spells his name without the middle "e".
References
[1] V. W. Hodgman (1967). "Wainewright, Thomas Griffiths (1794 - 1847)" (http:/ / www. adb. online. anu. edu. au/ biogs/ A020509b. htm).
Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 2. MUP. pp. 558–559. . Retrieved 2007-09-28.
[2] "WAINEWRIGHT, THOMAS GRIFFITHS" (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=xS88AAAAIAAJ& pg=PA437). Dictionary of national
biography, 20: pages 437–439. 1909. .
• Serle, Percival (1949). "Wainewright, Thomas Griffiths" (http://gutenberg.net.au/dictbiog/0-dict-biogWa.

html#wainewright1). Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus and Robertson. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
• Peter Macinnis (2005). Poisons: From Hemlock to Botox and the Killer Bean of Calabar. Arcade Publishing.
pp. 18–20. ISBN 1559707615.
Sources listed by the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition:
• Archives Office of Tasmania CON 63/2, p371: 2325. Wainewright, Thos Griffiths, ‘Susan’(1). Tried C.C.Court 3
July 1837. Life. Died 17 August 1847, Hospital, Hobart. T.L. His death was also reported in The Britannia and
Trades Advocate, Hobart Town, 26 August 1847 (p2 c3): DIED._On the 17th inst., of Apoplexy, Mr. Thomas
Wainwright, artist.
Sources listed by the Australian Dictionary of Biography:
• Historical Records of Australia, series 1, vol 16; J. Curling, Janus Weathercock (Lond, 1938); R. Crossland,
Wainewright in Tasmania (Melb, 1954); CSO 5, 8 and 11 (Archives Office of Tasmania); convict records
(Archives Office of Tasmania); G. T. W. B. Boyes diary (Royal Society of Tasmania); humble petition of T. G.
Wainewright (State Library of New South Wales).
Thomas Neill Cream

Thomas Neill Cream
Dr. Thomas Neill Cream

Birth name: Thomas Neill Cream
Also known as: Dr. Thomas Neill, The Lambeth Poisoner
Born: 27 May 1850

Glasgow, Scotland
Died: 15 November 1892 (aged 42)
Cause of death: Execution by Hanging
Killings
Number of victims: 5 (known)
Country: U.S., England
State(s): Chicago, Illinois, and

London, England
Date apprehended: 13 July 1892, in London, England
Dr. Thomas Neill Cream (27 May 1850 – 15 November 1892), also known as the Lambeth Poisoner, was a
Scottish-born serial killer, who claimed his first proven victims in the United States and the rest in England, and
possibly others in Canada and Scotland. Cream, who poisoned his victims, was executed after his attempts to frame
others for his crimes brought him to the attention of London police.
Unsubstantiated rumours suggested his last words as he was being hanged were a confession that he was Jack the
Ripper — even though he was in prison at the time of the Ripper murders.
Early life
Born in Glasgow, Cream was raised outside Quebec City, Canada, after his family moved there in 1854. He attended
McGill University in Montreal and went to study medicine at St Thomas's Hospital Medical School, London in
1876; he had an added incentive for crossing the Atlantic to England, since he had just married Flora Brooks, whom
he had impregnated and almost killed while aborting the baby: the bride's family forced him to the church at
gunpoint. [1] Flora died, apparently of consumption, in 1877, a death for which he would later be blamed.
Murder in Ontario
Cream went to London in 1876 to study at St. Thomas's Hospital and qualified as a physician and surgeon in
Edinburgh in 1878. He then returned to Canada to practise in London, Ontario, but when in August 1879 Kate
Gardener, a woman with whom he was alleged to have had an affair, was found dead, pregnant and poisoned by
chloroform in an alleyway behind Cream's office. Cream claimed that she had been made pregnant by a prominent
local businessman but was then accused of both murder and blackmail; he fled to the United States .[2]
Murder in Chicago
Cream set up a medical practice not far from the red-light district in Chicago, offering illegal abortions to prostitutes.
He was investigated in August 1880 after the death of Julia Faulkner, a woman he had allegedly operated on but he
escaped prosecution through lack of evidence.
In December 1880 another patient, Miss Stack, died after treatment by Cream, and he subsequently attempted to
blackmail a pharmacist who had made up the prescription.
On 14 July 1881, Daniel Stott died of strychnine poisoning at his home in Boone County, Illinois, after Cream
supplied him with a remedy for epilepsy. The death was ascribed to natural causes, but Cream wrote to the coroner
blaming the pharmacist for the death after again attempting blackmail. Cream was arrested, along with Mrs. Julia A.
(Abbey) Stott, who had become Cream's mistress and procured poison from Cream to do away with her husband.
She turned state's evidence to avoid jail, laying the blame on Cream, which left Cream to face a murder conviction
on his own. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in Joliet Prison.[3] One night unknown persons erected a
tombstone at Mr. Stott's grave which read,
Daniel Stott Died June 12, 1881 Aged 61 Years POISONED BY HIS WIFE & DR. CREAM
Cream was released in July 1891 when Governor Joseph W. Fifer commuted his sentence after his brother pleaded
for leniency, allegedly also bribing the authorities.
Gas-lit streets of London

Using money inherited from his father, who had died in 1887, Cream sailed for England, arriving in Liverpool on 1
October 1891. He went to London and settled into lodgings at 103 Lambeth Palace Road. Victorian London was the
centre of the vast and wealthy British Empire, but places such as Lambeth were ridden with poverty, petty crime and
prostitution.
On 13 October that year, Ellen "Nellie" Donworth, a 19-year-old prostitute, accepted a drink from Cream. She was
severely ill the next day and died on 16 October from strychnine poisoning. During her inquest Cream wrote to the
coroner offering to name the murderer in return for a £300,000 reward. He also wrote to W. F. D. Smith, owner of
the W H Smith bookstalls, accusing him of the murder and demanding money for his silence.[4]
On 20 October, Cream met with a 27-year-old prostitute named Matilda Clover. She became ill and died the next
morning; her death was at first linked to her alcoholism.
On 2 April 1892, after a vacation in Canada, Cream was back in London where he attempted to poison Lou Harvey
(née Louise Harris) who, being suspicious of him, pretended to swallow the pills he had given her. She secretly
disposed of them by throwing them off a bridge into the River Thames.
On 11 April, Cream met two prostitutes, Alice Marsh, 21, and Emma Shrivell, 18, and talked his way into their flat
where he offered them bottles of Guinness. Cream left before the strychnine he had added to the drinks took effect.
Both women died in agony.
Capture
The motivation for the series of poisonings has never really been settled. It has generally been assumed that Cream
was a sadist who enjoyed the thought of the agonies he put his victims through (even if he was not physically present
to witness these). However, Cream was always greedy (note he killed several women while performing illegal
abortions on them, and his poisoning of his one known male victim, Daniel Stott, was in the hopes that Stott's
wealthy widow would now share the deceased's estate with him). From the start of the series of crimes Cream wrote
blackmail notes to prominent people.
Only three of these are known, but there may have been others who were approached. First was Frederick Smith the
son of the former First Lord of the Admiralty and member of the House of Commons William Henry Smith. Fred
Smith had just been elected to the seat in the House of Commons his father had held for decades, and he received a
letter accusing him of poisoning Ellen Donworth. There was a demand for the hiring of an "attorney" in order to
prevent Smith being ruined by release of the evidence. Smith sent the letter to Scotland Yard. Next Mabel, Countess
Russell, in the middle of a messy series of civil actions against the Earl Russell that would culminate in a
controversial divorce in 1900, received a letter that her estranged husband was responsible for the poisoning and
evidence of this could be purchased. This was a variant on the normal blackmail notes, for if it had been true the
Countess would have been overjoyed to have had such information in her hands. She claimed she showed the letter
to her solicitor Sir George Henry Lewis but after he returned it she lost it. There may be a chance she actually met
Cream and had to return the letter to him, but that nothing came of his "evidence" against the Earl. Finally Cream
wrote a note to the noted physician Dr. (later Sir) William Broadbent. The note accused Broadbent of poisoning
Matilda Clover. Broadbent sent his letter to Scotland Yard.
Cream's downfall came through an attempt to frame two respectable and innocent doctors. He wrote to the police
accusing these fellow doctors of killing several women, including Matilda Clover. Not only did the police quickly
determine the innocence of those accused, but they also realized that there was something significant within the
accusations made by the anonymous letter-writer: He had referred to the murder of Matilda Clover. In fact, Clover's
death had been noted as natural causes, related to her drinking. The police quickly realised that the false accuser who
had written the letter was the serial killer now referred to in the newspapers as the 'Lambeth Poisoner'.
Not long afterwards, Cream met a policeman from New York City who was visiting London. The policeman had
heard of the Lambeth Poisoner, and Cream gave him a brief tour of where the various victims had lived. The
American lawman happened to mention it to a British policeman who found Cream's detailed knowledge of the case
suspicious.
The police at Scotland Yard put Cream under surveillance, soon discovering his habit of visiting prostitutes. They
also contacted police in the United States and learned of their suspect's conviction for a murder by poison in 1881.
On 13 July 1892, Cream was charged with murdering Matilda Clover. From the start he insisted he was only Dr.
Thomas Neill, not Dr. Thomas Neill Cream, and the newspapers usually referred to him as Dr. Neill in their
coverage of the proceedings. His trial lasted from 17 to 21 October that year. He was convicted and sentenced to
death.
Less than a month after his conviction, on 15 November, Dr Thomas Neill Cream was hanged on the gallows at
Newgate Prison. As was customary with all executed criminals, his body was buried the same day in an unmarked
grave within the prison walls.
"I am Jack the..."

After his execution, rumours started that his last words were "I am Jack the..." This was interpreted as a reference to
Jack the Ripper. The rumours, however, remain unsubstantiated. Police officials and others who attended the
execution made no mention of it. Records show Cream was still in prison at the time of the canonical Ripper murders
in 1888.
It may be pointed out that the rumor that Cream said this was started by his executioner, James Billington. Billington
was a known practical joker, and it is very likely that he knew that the listeners would think that it was a shame
Cream did not have a chance to tell the full story of his confession before he hanged.
References
[1] Shore (1955) p.15
[2] Shore (1955) p.16
[3] Shore (1955) pp.17-18
[4] Shore (1955) p.22
• Bloomfield, Jeffrey: "Gallows Humor: The Alleged Ripper Confession of Dr. Cream." Dan Norder (ed.) Ripper
Notes, July 2005, Issue #23
• Bloomfield, Jeffrey: "The Dr Wrote Some Letters." R.W.Stone, Q.P.M. (ed.), The Criminologist, Winter 1991,
Volume 15, Number 4
• Jenkins, Elizabeth: "Neill Cream, Poisoner." Readers Digest Association, Great Cases of Scotland Yard, Readers
Digest, 1978
• Jesse, F. Tennyson, Murder and Its Motives", Chapter V: "Murder for the Lust of Killing: Neill Cream", p.
184-215, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday & Co., Inc. - Dolphin Books, 1924, 1958.
• Lustgarten, Edgar, The Murder and the Trial, "3. Neill Cream", p.59-62, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons,
1958.
• McLaren, Angus: A Prescription For Murder: The Victorian Serial Killings of Dr. Thomas Neill Cream (Chicago
series on sexuality, history, and society) Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press, 1995, ISBN
0226560686
• Rumbelow, Donald, The Complete Jack the Ripper (True Crime), Penguin Books Ltd: 1988. ISBN 0-140-17395-1
• Shore, W. Teignmouth: "Thomas Neill Cream", in "Famous Trials 5", Hodge, James H. (ed), Penguin: 1955
External links
• Works by or about Thomas Neill Cream (http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n92-58785) in libraries (WorldCat
catalog)
Trevor Hardy 171
Trevor Hardy
Trevor Joseph Hardy
Birth name: Trevor Joseph Hardy
Also known as: The Beast of Manchester
Born: 1947
Moston, Manchester, Lancashire
Killings
Span of killings: 31 December, 1974–8 March,

1976
Country: England
Trevor Joseph Hardy (born 1947 in Manchester, Lancashire), also known as the Beast of Manchester[1] [2] [3] , is a
convicted British serial killer who murdered three teenage girls in the Manchester area between December 1974 and
March 1976. In 1977, he was found guilty and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Murders
Janet Lesley Stewart, 15, was stabbed to death on New Years Eve 1974 and buried in a shallow grave in Newton
Heath, North Manchester.[1] Wanda Skala, 17, was murdered in July 1975 on Lightbowne Road, Moston while
walking home from the hotel where she worked as a barmaid.[1] [4] She had been hit over the head with a brick,
robbed, and sexually assaulted.[1] Her body was found partially buried on a construction site.[5] In March 1976 after
walking home from a staff party, Sharon Mosoph was stabbed and strangled with a pair of tights prior to being
dumped in the Rochdale Canal at Failsworth, Oldham.[1] [6] The bodies of Skala and Mosoph were found stripped
and mutilated.[1]
At the height of the hunt for the serial killer, 23,000 people were stopped and searched[7] .
Arrest, trial, and conviction

Although Hardy was arrested for Skala's murder after bragging about it to his younger brother, he was freed on the
basis of an alibi he had arranged with his partner, Sheilagh Farrow,[8] and because he had filed his teeth so they
would not match the bite marks found on her body.[1] He would go on to kill Mosoph six months after being freed.[1]
Trevor Hardy was arrested for the murders of Wanda Skala and Sharon Mosoph in August 1976. He confessed to the
murders and to that of Janet Lesley Stewart - who until then had been a missing person. Prior to Stewart's murder,
Hardy had been released on parole for battering a man with a pickaxe.[1] He reportedly mistook Stewart for a
schoolgirl with whom he was infatuated.[1] Hardy removed Stewart's ring and gave it to another girl as a "love
token".[1] Morris had also kept Skala's blood-stained clothes and her handbag as "grisly trophies".[1] The
investigation revealed that Morris killed Mosoph after she witnessed him attempting to burgle a shopping centre at
night.[1]
At his trial, Hardy fired his attorney and attempted to confess manslaughter; however, the plea was rejected and he
was found guilty of murder.[1] On 2 May 1978 at the Manchester Crown Court, Hardy was sentenced to three life
sentences for the murders.[9] [1]
Trevor Hardy 172
More than 30 years after his arrest, Hardy is currently serving his sentence at Wakefield Prison in West Yorkshire
where he is reported to have a "good work record".[1]
He maintains his innocence and reported sent a letter to Mosoph's relatives blaming his parents.[10] On 23 February,
2008, The Times revealed that Hardy was one of up to 50 prisoners in Britain who had been issued with a whole life
tariff and were unlikely to ever be released. The whole life tariff was reaffirmed in June 2008 by the High Court. [1]
Manchester locals had long suspected Hardy in the 1971 murder of 17-year-old Dorothy Leyden, and in 2004 family
members requested that the Greater Manchester Police re-examine old evidence.[11] Detectives reviewing the cold
case believe forensic evidence exonerates Hardy in the murder of Leyden, as DNA samples examined more than 30
years after the crime were found not to match Hardy.[12] [13]
References
[1] Chris Osuh, Serial killer will die in jail (http:/ / www. manchestereveningnews. co. uk/ news/ s/ 1053972_serial_killer_will_die_in_jail),
Manchester Evening News, June 13, 2008.
[2] http:/ / www. manchestereveningnews. co. uk/ news/ s/ 1053996_im_glad_he_will_die_in_prison
[3] http:/ / www. oldhamadvertiser. co. uk/ news/ s/ 1054477_father_wins_fight_to_keep_killer_inside_for_life
[7] Drop Dead, Doreen Lawrence: A Speech By Alexander Baron (Text) (http:/ / www. alexanderbaron. 150m. com/
drop-dead-doreen-lawrence-text. html)
[8] Garret, Geoffrey (2001). Cause of Death. Great Britain: Constable and Robinson. ISBN 978-1841192956.
[9] An Almanack for the Year of Our Lord 1978 (Whitaker's Almanack) (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=rHkzAAAAMAAJ& dq=trevor+
joseph+ hardy& q="trevor+ joseph+ hardy"#search_anchor). United Kingdom: J Whitaker & Sons. 1978. pp. 574. . Retrieved September 11,
2009.
[11] http:/ / www. bbc. co. uk/ crimewatch/ appeals/ 2008/ 06/ dorothy_leyden_murder. shtml
[12] http:/ / www. bbc. co. uk/ crimewatch/ appeals/ 2008/ 06/ dorothy_leyden_murder. shtml
[13] http:/ / www. manchestereveningnews. co. uk/ news/ s/ 1052105_tracking_killer_37_years_on_
William Palmer (murderer)

Dr. William Palmer (6 August 1824 – 14 June 1856) was an English doctor who was convicted of murder in one of
the most notorious cases of the 19th century.
Early life
Born in Rugeley, Staffordshire, he had an extravagant lifestyle; his medical training was constantly interrupted by
allegations of stealing money, and he also had a reputation as a ladies' man. While working at Stafford infirmary, he
was accused of poisoning an acquaintance during a drinking competition; although nothing was proven, the hospital
imposed tighter controls on the dispensary as a precaution. Palmer also enjoyed gambling and horses, but his lack of
success in this pursuit led him into serious debt.
Murder spree
He returned to his home town of Rugeley to practice as a doctor, and, in St. Nicholas Church, Abbots Bromley,
married Ann Thornton, also known as Brookes (b.1827) in 1847.[1] [2] [3] After the birth of one child the following
year, their next four children all died as babies. Several people connected to Dr. Palmer died in his presence,
including his mother-in-law, and at least two other people to whom he owed money. In 1854, Ann Palmer died,
apparently of cholera, after William had taken out a £13,000 insurance policy on her life. His housemaid bore him an
illegitimate child nine months later, but this baby died after just a few months. Palmer then insured his brother
Walter's life, but when Walter died very shortly after, the insurance company refused to pay up. By this time, Palmer
was heavily in debt, and was being blackmailed by one of his former lovers, the daughter of a Staffordshire
policeman.
When one of Palmer's horse racing friends, John Parsons Cook, won a
large amount of money at Shrewsbury, he and Palmer had a celebration
party before returning to Rugeley. The following day, Palmer invited
Cook to dinner, after which Cook became violently ill, and died two
days later. Suspicions of foul play were heightened when Palmer tried
to bribe several people involved with the coroner's inquest, but the
final straw was Palmer's purchase of strychnine shortly before Cook's
death.
Palmer's diary recording the death of Cook Arrest and trial

Palmer was arrested for Cook's murder. The bodies of Ann and Walter
Palmer were also exhumed and re-examined, although not enough evidence was found to charge Palmer with their
deaths. An Act of Parliament (the Central Criminal Court Act 1856) was passed to allow the trial to be held at The
Old Bailey, London, as it was felt that a fair jury could not be found in Staffordshire. His defence was led by Mr
Serjeant William Shee[4] who took over the case at the last minute after his previous counsel had fled to France to
evade his debts. The defence case suffered adverse comment from the judge because Shee had, against all rules and
conventions of professional conduct, told the jury that he personally believed Palmer to be innocent.[5] Despite the
evidence being circumstantial, the similarity between Cook's death and that of known strychnine victims was enough
for the jury to find Palmer guilty of murder.[6] The prosecution team of Alexander Cockburn and John Walter
Huddleston possessed fine forensic minds and proved forceful advocates. Palmer expressed his admiration for
Cockburn's cross-examination after the verdict through the racing metaphor "It was the riding that did it."[7] Some
30,000 were at Stafford prison on 14 June 1856 to see Palmer's public execution by hanging. As he stepped onto the
gallows, Palmer is said to have looked at the trapdoor and exclaimed, "Are you sure it's safe?"[8] After he was
hanged his mother is said to have commented: "They have hanged my saintly Billy".[9] Some scholars believe that
the evidence should not have been enough to convict him, and that the summing up of the judge, John Campbell, 1st
Baron Campbell, was prejudicial.[10]
Judges
Lord Chief Justice John Campbell, 1st Baron Campbell
Mr Justice Cresswell
Mr Baron Alderson
Prosecution counsel Defence counsel
Attorney-General Alexander Cockburn Mr Serjeant Shee
Edwin James QC William Robert Grove

QC
Mr Bodkin
Mr Gray
Mr Welsby
Edward Kenealy
John Walter Huddleston
.
The notoriety of the case alarmed many of eminent men in Rugeley, who were worried that their town would forever
be linked with "Palmer the Poisoner". There is a persistent urban myth that they petitioned the Prime Minister of the
day to change the name of the town. He reputedly said he would accede to their request, but only if they would name
it after himself...Palmerston. This story is now generally thought to be untrue.[11]
Cultural references
Arthur Conan Doyle's detective Sherlock Holmes remarks on Palmer in The Adventure of the Speckled Band. The
case is also briefly mentioned during an exhumation scene in The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy L.
Sayers.[12] The fictional character of Inspector Bucket in Charles Dickens' Bleak House is reputed to be based on
Charles Frederick Field, the policeman who investigated Walter Palmer's death for his insurers.[10] Robert Graves's
novel They Hanged My Saintly Billy is a re-examination of the case.
The salutation "What's your poison?" is thought to be a reference to the events.[10]
The film The Life and Crimes of William Palmer was released in 1998.
See also
• Dr John Bodkin Adams
• Dr Thomas Neill Cream
• Dr Hawley Harvey Crippen
• Dr H H Holmes
• Dr Harold Shipman
• Dr Michael Swango
Other doctors accused or convicted of murder
Bibliography
• Barker, G. F. R. (2004) "Shee, Sir William (1804–1868) [13]", rev. Hugh Mooney, Oxford Dictionary of National
Biography, Oxford University Press, , accessed 24 July 2007 subscription or UK public library membership [14]
required
• Davenport-Hines, R. (2004) "Palmer, William [ the Rugeley Poisoner] (1824–1856) [15]", Oxford Dictionary of
National Biography, Oxford University Press, accessed 20 July 2007 subscription or UK public library
membership [14] required
• Knott, G. H. (1912). The Trial of William Palmer (Notable English Trials ed.). Edinburgh: William Hodge & Co..
External links
• williampalmer.co.uk [16]
• William Palmer [17] on the BBC
• Staffordshire Past Track [18] - William Palmer
• The Life and Crimes of William Palmer [19] at the Internet Movie Database
References
[1] Knott (1912) p.14
[2] Robert Graves, "They hanged my saintly Billy: the life and death of Dr. William Palmer", Doubleday, 1957, p.86
[3] Ian A. Burney, "Poison, detection, and the Victorian imagination", Encounters, Manchester University Press, 2006, ISBN 0719073766, p.116
[4] Barker (2004)
[5] Knott (1912) p.267
[6] Knott (1912) p.12
[7] Knott (1912) p.3
[8] Witticisms Of 9 Condemned Criminals (http:/ / www. canongate. net/ Lists/ Crime/ WitticismsOf9CondemnedCrimin) at Canongate Press
[9] Bell, David (2005). "9". Staffordshire Tales of Murder & Mystery. Murder & Mystery. Countryside Books. pp. 86. ISBN 1 85306 922 1.
[10] Davenport-Hines (2004)
[11] Staffordshire Past Track (http:/ / www. staffspasttrack. org. uk/ exhibit/ palmer/ rugeley's name. htm) Rugeley's name
[12] Dorothy L. Sayers, The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, Ch. 13
[13] http:/ / www. oxforddnb. com/ view/ article/ 25285
[14] http:/ / www. oup. com/ oxforddnb/ info/ freeodnb/ libraries/
[15] http:/ / www. oxforddnb. com/ view/ article/ 21222
[16] http:/ / www. williampalmer. co. uk/
[17] http:/ / www. bbc. co. uk/ stoke/ content/ articles/ 2006/ 04/ 11/ local_heroes_doctor_william_palmer_feature. shtml
[18] http:/ / www. staffspasttrack. org. uk/ exhibit/ palmer/
Article Sources and Contributors

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John Straffen Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=360706841 Contributors: Academic Challenger, Adasta, AlexWilkes, Bobo192, Canadian Paul, Chris Henniker, Chris the
speller, Cunningham, D6, Dimadick, Edward, GCarty, Good Olfactory, Graham87, GreatWhiteNortherner, Harej, JamesAM, Jbmurray, Jetman, Joseph A. Spadaro, Kencf0618, Lightmouse,
Longhair, Malleus Fatuorum, Mandarax, MilfordBoy991, Nickmoxham, Nightrider 83, One Night In Hackney, PatGallacher, Quentin X, Rcb1, Reedy, Rich Farmbrough, Richard75, Rje,
Rjwilmsi, Robert Mercer, Rodw, Sam Blacketer, Secretmessages, Shyam, Sketchmoose, Stefanomione, Treybien, Tripod86, User59, Usnerd, Wayward, ZephyrAnycon, ZooFari, 44 anonymous
edits
Kenneth Erskine Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=352150079 Contributors: AlexWilkes, Bill37212, CaptainJae, Cj watson, CliffC, Cunningham, Dashiellx, Fredd the Redd,
GCarty, Garratnut87, Good Olfactory, ItchyHoover, Jetman, Kernel Saunters, Kevin Rector, Lightmouse, Lonewolf BC, MadMax, MichaelQSchmidt, MilfordBoy991, Nightrider 83, Nikkesopo,
One Night In Hackney, Philip Trueman, Redwhiteandblue2, Rich Farmbrough, Robert Mercer, Robwingfield, SatyrTN, Shark Soldier, Sherurcij, Snowbound, Stevvvv4444, TheMadBaron,
Tripod86, WWGB, Werdnawerdna, Wildhartlivie, 32 anonymous edits
Mary Ann Cotton Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=358630574 Contributors: 320rwekfpl, Bonadea, Brendan Moody, BrownHairedGirl, Bryan firm, Chamal N, Chris the
speller, ChrisCork, CliffC, Clumeclo, Craigy144, Cunningham, Cyde, DShamen, DearPrudence, DreamGuy, Drew R. Smith, Dsp13, Dukeofomnium, E Wing, Edwardx, Emling, Erylle, Euryalus,
Fetchcomms, Flapdragon, FritoKAL, Fuller Knox, Good Olfactory, Groyolo, Happywaffle, Icairns, Ironass, Ischorr, J.delanoy, JFrawley032759, Jack1956, JediRogue, JesseLeiman, Jj137,
Jujubean55, Juleet, Jza84, Katharineamy, Lenin and McCarthy, Mseliw, Myhlow, Myosotis Scorpioides, One Night In Hackney, OverlordQ, Pol098, Prarry, Quadell, QuizzicalBee, Reach Out to
the Truth, Rebamex, Rjwilmsi, RogDel, Saga City, Spitfire, Sxcrunner0402, Tigershoot, Ukexpat, Uncle Milty, Waacstats, YegerMeister, Zendive, 129 anonymous edits
Merry widow of Windy Nook Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=356968908 Contributors: Celique, MSGJ, 2 anonymous edits
Michael Lupo Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=347974588 Contributors: AntonyHR, Bearcat, Chris Henniker, DarkPassenger, Dimadick, Format, Good Olfactory, Jetman,
Joe1978, Kernel Saunters, Kshanks, Robert Mercer, Sam Hocevar, Sareini, Sj, Stephenb, Steven J. Anderson, Tapioca Dextrin, Treybien, User's name, Werdnawerdna, Wknight94, 14 anonymous
edits
Moors murders Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=360858799 Contributors: Abrech, Aecis, Afitillidie13, Age Happens, Akuchling, Alan Liefting, Albicus, Albireo223, Alex
Shih, AlexWilkes, Alivealiveoh, Amberrock, Anastrophe, Andrea105, AndreasJS, AndyHuston, Angmering, ArdClose, Ariane5, Arwel Parry, Asa01, Axver, Bad bad bad Steve Wright,
Batmanand, Benjamin Mako Hill, Bennyooc, Bentley Banana, BillC, Blathnaid, Bobble2, Brancron, Breconborn, Bridies, Brilliantine, BrownHairedGirl, Burynew, Buzz1963, By Skill By
Labour, CPMcE, Calton, Calvin 1998, Captain Disdain, Catgut, Causa sui, Ceoil, Ceranthor, Chancemichaels, Cherry blossom tree, Christopherjfoster, Cinemaniac86, Claretohere, ComaDivine,
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Lolliapaulina51, Londonclanger, Luke C, Lunamaria, Magog the Ogre, Mais oui!, Majorly, Malleus Fatuorum, Marktreut, Marlinspike, Materialscientist, Mav, Mboverload, Mdb1370,
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Robertlondon, Rockpocket, Roydosan, Ruslik0, ScottDavis, ScumMania1979, Seegoon, Sgt Pinback, Sharkface217, SidP, SimonLyall, SimonMayer, Sir Stanley, Sjc, Sjc196, SkaraB,
Skomorokh, Sky83, Slagface, Slakr, SlimVirgin, Slp1, Smalljim, Soldier1, SqueakBox, Sraybaud, Srushe, StaticGull, Stephoswalk, StuHarris, Tapestry of alien, Taschenrechner, Teapotgeorge,
Tevildo, Tex, The Anome, The Legendary Ranger, The Rambling Man, TheNewPhobia, Thingg, Think outside the box, Tim!, Tobermory6, Tomdeb, Tothebarricades.tk, Travelbird, Treybien,
Ukexpat, Uvaphdman, Viridae, VoterBoy, WebHamster, Wereon, WhisperToMe, Wildsoda, Zonder, 535 anonymous edits
Patrick Mackay Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=360726754 Contributors: AlexWilkes, Cunningham, D6, GCarty, Good Olfactory, Gordonofcartoon, Hushpuckena,
Jbmurray, Jclemens, Kernel Saunters, Malosinus, One Night In Hackney, Quentin X, Reknalb, Rjwilmsi, RodC, Rodhullandemu, Studerby, The Skeleton, Wayward, 10 anonymous edits
Peter Manuel Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=358502034 Contributors: ACSE, Aatomic1, Alansohn, AlistairMcMillan, Andrij Kursetsky, Anupamsr, Avenging Anglo,
Bacteria, Ben Jos, BrownHairedGirl, Candice, Capricorn42, Cubs Fan, Cunningham, CyberGhostface, Daveac41, Dimadick, Doc glasgow, Fazipath, Fragglet, GCarty, Glen, Good Olfactory,
HOT L Baltimore, Harold.w.coxly, Haroldcoxley994, Into The Fray, Jessepmullan, Ken Gallager, Khallster, Leahcimnhoj, LilHelpa, Malcolmxl5, Malick78, Michael David, Momoricks,
Nabokov, Nunquam Dormio, Pandemic, PatGallacher, Pigmeat56481, Renaissancee, Rich Farmbrough, Rurquhart, Secretmessages, Sgt Pinback, Shyam, Skoolh8tr, Snigbrook, Sue Wallace,
Tangerines, Tezza UK, That Guy, From That Show!, Thomas Blomberg, Tim!, Treybien, Vulturell, Wildhartlivie, YegerMeister, 80 anonymous edits
Peter Moore (serial killer) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=358206511 Contributors: AlexWilkes, Bacteria, Billinghurst, Bluetooth954, Bradjamesbrown, BrainyBroad,
Chris Henniker, CliffC, Docu, DragonflySixtyseven, EchetusXe, GCarty, Ganymead, Gashrash, Good Olfactory, Guitarplaya2323, Jack the Hatter, JeremyA, John, KoshVorlon, Longhair,
MadMax, Malcolm Farmer, MilfordBoy991, Momoricks, N5iln, North wales cestrian, Quentin X, Rich Farmbrough, Robert Mercer, Sam Hocevar, SqueakBox, Tim!, TinyMark, Treybien,
Vossman, Wayward, Wjhonson, Ziggurat, 17 anonymous edits
Peter Sutcliffe Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=360260851 Contributors: 4kinnel, 6afraidof7, A bit iffy, Adamarabi, Ade myers, Ahpook, AlexWilkes, Alexf, Anonymous
Paul, AntL, Anthony Appleyard, Arthur Rubin, Asher196, Ashley Pomeroy, Aspro, BD2412, Backslash Forwardslash, Bencherlite, Berean Hunter, Blackleg, Blammermouth, Boffy b,
Bradley0110, BrownHairedGirl, Bryan Derksen, Bsimmons666, CalJW, CallMeHenry, Camerong, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, CaptainJae, Captaingerry, Carpsio, Catgut, ChrisUK, CissieT,
Claire Wednesday, Craigy144, Cryptic, Ctbolt, CyberGhostface, CyrilB, D6, DCEdwards1966, DD2K, DMS, DShamen, DarkFalls, David91, Deadflagblues, Deadthee13, Deagle AP, Delphii,
Devious Viper, Dino, DouglasGreen, Dravecky, DreamGuy, Dtcdthingy, Ebz123, EchetusXe, El jefe, EliZZZa, EnDai, Ericamick, Euniana, Eurosong, Evanreyes, EyeSerene, Favonian,
Flapdragon, Flewis, FlubClub, Fontana69, Format, Fredd the Redd, Fredrik, Fys, GCarty, GazMan7, GeeJo, GeraldH, Gobeirne, Good Olfactory, Gregster1978, Ground Zero, Grusl, Gurchzilla,
Gusak, Guy Hatton, HJ Mitchell, HTUK, Hatemail11, Hennessey, Patrick, Herzliyya, Heslopian, HoraceCoker, IJA, IW.HG, Ianfines, Irishguy, J.delanoy, Jack the Hatter, Jack1956,
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Nezperci, Nightrider 83, Nikai, Noelogara, One Night In Hackney, Onevalefan, OwenBlacker, Oxymoron83, PamD, Parent5446, Pcb21, Phatcat68, Phildav76, Philip Cross, Philip Trueman,
Plutonium27, Powercase, Quentin X, QuizzicalBee, RJaguar3, Raj Fra, Reinyday, RexNL, Richard Harvey, Richerman, Ricjl, Robert Mercer, RobinCarmody, Rossrs, Rothorpe, Rrburke,
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Stefanomione, Stephen, Stephoswalk, Steppe Eagle, Stetay, Stevepaget, TashkentFox, Tevildo, Tezza UK, The Anome, The Giant Puffin, The JPS, The Thing That Should Not Be, The359,
TheMadBaron, Thecamperman, TheoClarke, TicketMan, TinyMark, Tomtheman5, Trevor MacInnis, Trevor Marron, Treybien, Tripod86, TroisNyxEtienne, Trotsky Melotsky, Twowai, Twp,
Ukexpat, Ukprince j, Unreal128, Useight, Utcursch, Valenciano, Vincenzo2k7, Violetriga, Voyagerfan5761, WBardwin, WODUP, Ward3001, Wayward, Wereon, Whaiaun, WhaleyTim,
Wildhartlivie, Will Beback, Wimt, Windchaser, Wndoom, Woohookitty, Worc63, WotherspoonSmith, Xiaodown, Xphile2868, ZephyrAnycon, Zoicon5, Zomghax, Zyxyxz, Патрик Маккей, 592
anonymous edits
Peter Tobin Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=360551291 Contributors: Aitias, AlisonW, Anonymous Dissident, B626mrk, Barryob, Bender235, Blueboy96, BorgQueen,
Brandon, Bridies, Calliopejen1, Cameron Scott, Choice words for Stacey, ChrisAckroyd, Cicero Puppet, CliffC, Colonies Chris, Conquistador2k6, D.M.N., David Gerard, Deb, Deskana, East718,
Edsanville, Edwardx, Elonka, EnglishDude, Enviroboy, Epbr123, Fences and windows, FinFitFin, Fragglet, GiollaUidir, Good Olfactory, Guest9999, HJ Mitchell, HexaChord, HisSpaceResearch,
I Feel Tired, JRPG, Jakprouse26, Jeanenawhitney, Jheald, Jim Michael, John, Johnhousefriday, Jons63, Jschlackman, Jutl, Kaiwhakahaere, Karaokemac, Katharineamy, Kernel Saunters,
Kperfekt722, Kpjas, Latics, LondonJae, MBRZ48, MBisanz, ML5, Mais oui!, Martan, Martin Macaskill, Matthardingu, Milton Stanley, Misarxist, Momoricks, Monkeymanman, Nabokov,
NawlinWiki, Nietzsche 2, Ohnoitsjamie, PMDrive1061, Painstaker, Panthro, Para, Protonk, Rjd0060, Rodhullandemu, Rosenknospe, Safebreaker, Sam Blacketer, Samwb123, Scott MacDonald,
Secret, Sheeldz, Sir Stanley, Skomorokh, Sky83, Sledgehammerd, Snigbrook, SqueakBox, StuartDouglas, Tex, The Giant Puffin, The wee guy's blue hair, Thejohnfleming, Thomag66, Tim!,
TimR, TimVickers, TonyW, Treybien, Trödel, Ulysses54, WBardwin, WOSlinker, Werdnawerdna, Wildhartlivie, Yellowdesk, 301 anonymous edits
Robert Black (serial killer) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=354738280 Contributors: AaronCarlin, Airplaneman, AlexWilkes, Anirishwoman, Arnoldlayne, Avb, BNC85,
Bentley Banana, BillC, Bob Loves Grib, Bp200994, BrianAdler, CALR, CharlotteWebb, Chris Henniker, Closedmouth, Colonies Chris, ConcernedVancouverite, Cookiesfan, Cunningham, D6,
Darrenbeards, Dedetch, Dick Shane, DreamGuy, Dricherby, EchetusXe, Enviroboy, Format, Former user 12, Fys, GCarty, Good Olfactory, GregU, Haroldcoxley994, Haroldcoxly994, Itvlocal,
J.delanoy, Jerry, Jetman, John, Kasw, Kbdank71, Keith D, Kernel Saunters, Kieronoldham, Lounds O'Ikes, MachineFist, Mais oui!, Maxwell's Demon, Momoricks, NawlinWiki, NeilN,
Newrynyuck, Nightrider 83, P0lyglut, PamD, Pearle, Pfistermeister, Pixelface, ReeseM, Robert Mercer, Rofltiks, SMC, Scott MacDonald, Secretmessages, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, Shughamster,
Shyam, Sjstimer, Sky83, Snigbrook, Snowbound, Snowmanradio, SqueakBox, Teaboyracer, Theanders, Tim!, Treybien, Una sola, Wayward, Wgsimon, Wiki alf, Wizardman, Woodshed, 113
anonymous edits
Robert Maudsley Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=352026528 Contributors: Asa01, Ashley Pomeroy, Beta m, Bigpad, Briaboru, By Skill By Labour, CaptainJae,
Crazyconan, Cunningham, Curps, D6, David91, Dmcm2008, Edmund Patrick, Edwardx, Emrojo, Epbr123, FMAFan1990, Fredd the Redd, GCarty, Good Olfactory, Jetman, Jim62sch,
Jumbolino, Katharineamy, Kusenov, Longhair, Melaniedwd, MilfordBoy991, Natht, Necrothesp, Nightrider 83, One Night In Hackney, Rich Farmbrough, RodCrosby, Royhandy, Ryan4314,
SamSamSamSamSam, SqueakBox, Stefanomione, Switchercat, Testbed, Thatguyflint, Treybien, Wayward, 53 anonymous edits
Robert Napper Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=357976648 Contributors: 12 Noon, Aspie93, Calabraxthis, Chris Henniker, DShamen, Dimadick, Drak2, F W Nietzsche,
Flowanda, Haroldcoxley994, I cant think of a name 994, Jack1956, Kbthompson, La convivencia, Malick78, Ninetyone, Philip Cross, Pingveno, Pretzelpaws, Rich Farmbrough, SidP,
SqueakBox, Yellowdesk, 26 anonymous edits
Rosemary West Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=360798842 Contributors: 2livepedro75, 7, A2Kafir, Academic Challenger, Ade myers, AgentPeppermint, AlexWilkes,
Asarelah, Ashmoo, Bearcat, Benbristol, Bender235, Bethlewissmile, Bihco, BlueDevil, BlueSte78, Bobble2, Bobblewik, BoogieRock, Bradeos Graphon, Brian R Hunter, Bridies,
BrownHairedGirl, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, Choice words for Stacey, Chrisjackson, Clearstream, CliffC, Cool3, CrackDragon, D6, DWaterson, Ddstretch, Deanoy, Deb, DerHexer, DevAlt,
Dimadick, Dominus, Edwardx, Eliz81, ExRat, Exploding Boy, FC, FT2, FatHanna, Favonian, Format, Frap, Freedom76192m, Fys, GCarty, GazMan7, Good Olfactory, Grunners, Gwernol,
Haemo, Hairspray Qeen en, Hattrem, Heslopian, Hogtied, Iridescent, IslaySolomon, Jab843, Jaiwills, Jan Slimkop, Jbmurray, JeffJ, Jguk 2, John, John Maynard Friedman, Johngribben, Judo112,
Just zis Guy, you know?, Kbdank71, Kevinasp, Khallster, Kilo-Lima, Kintetsubuffalo, LeaveSleaves, Liuzhou, Logan1138, Lost4eva, Lradrama, LuciferMorgan, MadMax, Magnet For
Knowledge, Meaghan, Mike 7, MilfordBoy991, Moochocoogle, Nelliebellie, Nezperci, NiTenIchiRyu, Nickwright5656, Nietzsche 2, Nightrider 83, One Night In Hackney, Philip Cross,
PhoenixMourning, PlushHoney, Poindexter Propellerhead, Porterjoh, Puchiko, QuizzicalBee, Rich Farmbrough, Rodhullandemu, Sade, Saturday, Sem120, Shantavira, Sky83, Snowbound,
Sockfc, Somearemoreequal, SqueakBox, Stefanomione, Teapotgeorge, Tearful Regret, TexasAndroid, Tezza UK, The Thing That Should Not Be, The wee guy's blue hair, Therealhazel, Tide
rolls, Tony Sidaway, Treybien, Tripod86, User59, Victuallers, Well, girl, look at you!, Werdnawerdna, Wjhonson, Y control, YellowMonkey, Yonmei, 168 anonymous edits
Steve Wright (serial killer) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=359372025 Contributors: 6afraidof7, Ace of Spades, ArglebargleIV, Bad bad bad Steve Wright, Bobrayner,
Chris Henniker, Dick Shane, Doolish, Doulos Christos, EchetusXe, Fram, Franz-kafka, Fredd the Redd, Gl0w0rm321, Good Olfactory, Graham87, Heslopian, Himes221, Hydrogen Iodide, IRP,
Itvlocal, Jack the Hatter, Jackfork, Jim Michael, Jimjamjak, John, Judo112, Juliancolton, Lradrama, Lucy-marie, Malosinus, Martarius, Million Moments, NEWCollege'2007, Necrothesp,
Noelogara, Peripitus, Raven in Orbit, Richardrj, Rjwilmsi, SidP, Sky83, Treybien, WWGB, Wildhartlivie, Xeryus, ΑΩ, 48 anonymous edits
Steven Grieveson Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=357975973 Contributors: DarkPassenger, Dimadick, ExRat, Good Olfactory, Jarry1250, Kieronoldham, RobStreatham,
Treybien, WWGB, Welsh, Wildhartlivie, 2 anonymous edits
Thomas Griffiths Wainewright Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=356773982 Contributors: AWeenieMan, AndrewHowse, Arizonasqueeze, Charleys2004, DanielCD, Deb,
Dimadick, Diverman, Dsp13, Echuck215, Good Olfactory, Hubert22, Iridescent, JesseLeiman, Leondumontfollower, Lesley McCoull, Rjwilmsi, Svick, Vanish2, 50 anonymous edits
Thomas Neill Cream Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=344330037 Contributors: -The Bold Guy-, Aatomic1, Ajpralston1, Alexmorgan, Alvis, Arnoldlayne, Berean Hunter,
BrownHairedGirl, Bt8257, Card, Charles Matthews, Chicheley, Colonel111, Cunningham, Delta G, Dmnapolitano, Doooook, DreamGuy, Dsp13, Flapdragon, Flexiblefine, Francs2000, GCarty,
Gegnome, Good Olfactory, Groomtech, Happywaffle, Iridescent, JCFTaylor, JFrawley032759, JesseLeiman, JzG, K8tmoon, LilHelpa, LuckyYou, Malick78, McGeddon, Michael David,
Nabokov, NawlinWiki, Revmagpie, Robert Mercer, Sam Hocevar, Schmendrick, Setwisohi, Sifuentav, Snowbound, Sugarbat, Talon Artaine, Todsrod, Treybien, Tuesdaily, Ukexpat, Uucp,
Vanish2, Victoriagirl, Wayward, Wikipediatrix, Wildhartlivie, Wrp103, YegerMeister, 85 anonymous edits
Trevor Hardy Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=349658893 Contributors: ACSE, Billinghurst, DarkPassenger, Dominic, Frank Longford, Good Olfactory, Grafen, Jack the
Hatter, Juliancolton, Location, Midway, Nightrider 83, Northernbrunette, Ron Ritzman, Tim!, Treybien, WWGB, Wildhartlivie, 13 anonymous edits
William Palmer (murderer) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=354660038 Contributors: AI, Aatomic1, Bbcstaffordshire, BrownHairedGirl, CalJW, Cutler, DabMachine,
DreamGuy, EchetusXe, Frankie1969, Fratrep, GCarty, Good Olfactory, Hooperbloob, Jaraalbe, Kenilworth Terrace, Malick78, Malleus Fatuorum, Marek69, Michael David, No Guru, One Night
In Hackney, Opera hat, Pgg7, Philip Trueman, Pigsonthewing, PurpleHz, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, Serjeant Shee, Sjorford, Tifin uk, Tivedshambo, Treybien, Wildhartlivie, William Avery,
YegerMeister, 41 anonymous edits
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 180
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Image:amelia-dyer.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Amelia-dyer.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Jack1956
Image:Archibald Hall portrait.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Archibald_Hall_portrait.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Coelacan
Image:Hare and Burke drawing.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hare_and_Burke_drawing.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Momoricks
Image:Robert Knox72.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Robert_Knox72.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: not given
Image:William Burke Execution.gif Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:William_Burke_Execution.gif License: Public Domain Contributors: Momoricks
Image:Irelandcol.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Irelandcol.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Wakefield Prison
Image:Dennis Nilsen.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Dennis_Nilsen.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Full Sutton Prison
Image:Donald Neilson mugshot.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Donald_Neilson_mugshot.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Full Sutton Prison
Image:FredandRoseWest.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:FredandRoseWest.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Dr. Blofeld
Image:George chapman illo.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:George_chapman_illo.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: newspaper
Image:GeorgeJosephSmith.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:GeorgeJosephSmith.JPG License: Public Domain Contributors: unknown
Image:Harold Shipman mug shot.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Harold_Shipman_mug_shot.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Wakefield Prison
File:John Bodkin Adams 1940s.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:John_Bodkin_Adams_1940s.jpg License: unknown Contributors: User:DGG, User:Malick78,
User:Quadell
Image:Kent Lodge - Home of John Bodkin Adams.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kent_Lodge_-_Home_of_John_Bodkin_Adams.jpg License: Creative Commons
Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Malick78
Image:John Bodkin Adams after trial.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:John_Bodkin_Adams_after_trial.jpg License: unknown Contributors: User:Malick78,
User:Quadell
Image:Johnchristie.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Johnchristie.jpg License: unknown Contributors: EdTrist, Wcp07, 1 anonymous edits
Image:10 Rillington Place backyard.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:10_Rillington_Place_backyard.jpg License: unknown Contributors: Wcp07
Image:johnanddaibugger.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Johnanddaibugger.png License: unknown Contributors: Metropolitan Police
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Encyclopedia of UK Serial Killers

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Encyclopedia of UK Serial Killers

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Encyclopedia of UK Serial

Also known as: Several

Died: June 10, 1896

Cause of death: State execution by hanging

Date apprehended: April 3, 1896

Dyer's killing career

Case study: the murder of Doris Marmon

Inquest and trial

Jill the Ripper?

The Identified Victims of Amelia Dyer

Amelia Sach and Annie Walters

Also known as: The Camden Ripper

Born: May 31, 1951

Sentence: Life imprisonment

Number of victims: 3 (suspected of others)

Span of killings: December 2000–December 2002

Date apprehended: January 2, 2003

Arrest and trial

Crime from the start

From thief to killer

Imprisonment and death

Born: 4 October 1968

Span of killings: 21 February, 1991–22 April, 1991

Country: United Kingdom

Date apprehended: 20 November, 1991

acknowledge that Katie was entitled to compensation.[1]

Trial and imprisonment

Burke and Hare murders

Hare and Burke

Died: 28 January 1829 (aged 37) (Burke)

Cause of death: Hanged

Burke and Hare

Cannock Chase murders

Raymond Leslie Morris

The breakthrough and arrest

The trial and conviction

Retrieved September 9, 2009.

Public reaction to crimes

Birth name: Colin Ireland

Also known as: The Gay Slayer

Born: 16 March 1954

Span of killings: 1993–1993

Country: United Kingdom

Date apprehended: 1993

Murder 1: Peter Walker

Murder 2: Christopher Dunn

Murder 3: Perry Bradley III

Murder 4: Andrew Collier

Murder 5: Emanuel Spiteri

Convictions and imprisonment

Date apprehended: 2002

Dennis Nilsen mug shot

Birth name: Dennis Andrew Nilsen

Also known as: The Muswell Hill Murderer

Born: 23 November 1945

Conviction: Attempted murder

Sentence: Life imprisonment

Span of killings: 30 December 1978–26 January 1983