|
Kill Total: |
1 |
Kill place: |
Ilford, Essex |
|
Kill date: |
2 October 1922 |
Victim(s): |
Percy Thompson |
|
Date of Birth: |
Thompson - Dec 1893
Bywaters - unknown |
Marital Status: |
Married
Single |
|
AKA: |
|
Occupation: |
|
Edith Jessie Thompson
was a married lady of 29 when her love for another man got
her into trouble. She fell in love with Frederick
Bywaters, a 22 year old steward on a cruise liner.
2nd October 1922 she
was on her way home along the Belgrave Rd, Ilford, Essex,
after a trip to the theatre with her husband, when a man
rushed out of the darkness and stabbed her husband, Percy,
to death. The assailant was heard to shout out "Why don't
you get a divorce you Cad". Edith was heard to cry
"Don't oh Don't". Edith told police that she had no idea
who the attacker was, but, her neighbours were more
forthcoming, telling police about the affair that Mrs.
Thompson had been having.
Freddy Bywaters was duly
tracked down and taken to Ilford police station. In
Freddy's locker they found no fewer than 83 letters from
Edith, 49 of which were eventually used as evidence at the
trial. Some of the letters discussed poisoning Percy, and
one even discussed the fact that Edith had put ground
glass into his food. One of the letters from Edith to
Freddy said "be jealous so much that you will do something
desperate".
Against the advise of her solicitor Edith took the witness
box at her trial, she gave an arrogant performance, doing
herself no favours. Her counsel later said "She spoiled
her chances by her evidence, she was a vain woman and an
obstinate one".
When the jury went out
on 11th December, they took only two hours to come
to their decision. The verdict returned was 'Guilty'. The
jury decreed that Edith Thompson should hang, as well as
Bywaters. When she heard the verdict she screamed, 'I am
not guilty. Oh God, I am not guilty!'
They were both hanged at
the same time, 9am on 9th January 1923. Freddy
at Pentonville by executioner William Willis, Bywaters
went to the gallows a true gentleman, keeping his
composure, but still claiming Edith was innocent. Edith
was hanged at Holloway by John Ellis, she had to be
drugged and dragged to the gallows.
Edith Thompson's body was
buried in Holloway Prison cemetery where it remained until
31st March 1971, when it was transferred to un-consecrated
ground near Woking in Surrey. Freddy Bywaters' body
remains buried at Pentonville.
