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Name: |
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AKA: |
Hoddesdon Ripper |
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D.O.B. |
1788 |
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Kill
Total: |
2 |
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Kill
date: |
1807 |
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Kill
Place: |
Hoddesdon - Hertfordshire |
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Status: |
Single |
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Occupation: |
Brewery Worker |
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Victim: |
Mrs.
Warner
Mrs.
Hammerstone |
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D.O.B. |
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Court: |
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Case No: |
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Judge: |
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Prosecution: |
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Defence: |
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FACTFILE
Simmons had been working and living at a house in
Hoddesdon for a local family, the Boreham's, He could
have had a good future, but instead he abused other
staff and servants male and female alike, and on more
than one occasion was suspected of stealing.
He formed a relationship with one of the female staff -
Elizabeth Harris, but shortly after was sacked, when Mr
Boreham felt they could cope no longer with his abusive
behaviour. Miss Harris, valued her job and broke off the
relationship, Simmons blamed Boreham for the breakdown
of his relationship, and in a drunken state would visit
the house regularly, demanding to see Elizabeth, she
would not see him and he was taken from the house by
staff.
On 29th October 1807, Boreham had organised a party for
family and friends. Later in the evening they heard
noise from the back of the house, they looked out the
window only to see Simmons shouting and generally
causing a nuisance. Elizabeth Harris also looked out
from an upstairs window, Scared she decided to hide in
the scullery, Simmons had seen her and rushed to the
door, she stood behind it and refused to let hi in.
Simmons started shouting obscenities at all in the
house, Mrs Hammerstone, a local pub landlady who was
used to dealing with drunks came and stood next to
Elizabeth Harris, she stood frozen to the spot as she
watched Simmons burst through the door, go past
Elizabeth and lunge with a long knife straight towards
her. He stabbed her several times in the throat, and
actually took time to open up her throat completely, she
fell to the floor bleeding fatally, as Simmons rushed
into the parlour where the rest of the party guests
were. He at first threatened them all, then grabbed
Boreham's daughter Mrs. Warner, stabbing her repeatedly
in the throat and chest. The rest of the guests ran to
upstairs rooms to escape Simmons, a female servant
bravely lunged at him, he arm and hand were badly cut,
but she escaped into the street, shouting "Murder" at
the top of her voice, this awoke others in the village,
who came into the street to see what was going on,
realizing he was in trouble Simmons ran through the
house, running into the back yard and hiding in a barn.
The men of the village searched for Simmons, he suddenly
appeared, unarmed and calmly saying he would do as he
was told. He was marched back into the town where he was
led to the pub, and tied up, there he remained till the
following morning. When the pub landlord visited Simmons
in the morning he found that the ligatures had been done
so tight, and that he received many beatings during the
night, Simmons was closer to death, Fairfax, the
publican, called the local constable, and the two of
them ensured that Simmons would live to face his fate.
Simmons went before magistrates, was charged with
murder, and sent to Hertford Jail.
He stood trial on 4th March 1808, was only found guilty
of one murder, as the Boreham family, who were Quakers
refused to press charges. the jury had no doubt, found
him guilty, he was sentenced to death and executed on
7th March 1808 at Hertford prison.
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