FACTFILE
3rd January 1946, Bernard Philips was a money
lender and worked for the Refuge Lending Society.
Harold Berry posed as a George Wood, and wanted to
borrow £50 against his farm Moss Side Poultry at
Tarporley. Which is between Winsford and Northwich in
Cheshire. What happened next is unclear, but...
Harold Berry stabbed Bernard Philips to death with a
commando type. knife.
4th January 1946, Berry then went on a trip to
London with his mistress, Irene Wynne, taking a first
class train and spending large amounts of money on
lavish hotels, and showering her with gifts.
Police determined that he was actually only a bacon
factory worker earning £5/week and wouldn't have the
sort of money he was seen to be spending.
When police arrested him they found a bloodstained coat,
a leather wallet with £22 and a new suit that he had
just brought. They also found Bernard Philipps's wallet
and cigarette lighter.
Berry's wife confirmed that
she had seen a commando type knife in their house and
had asked him to get rid of it in case their son got
hold of it, and got hurt.
Tuesday 9th April 1946,
Berry was hanged at Strangeways prison in Manchester by
Albert Pierrepoint.
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