|
Kill Total: |
2 |
Kill place: |
Hoddesdon - Hertfordshire |
|
Kill date: |
1807 |
Victim(s): |
Mrs. Warner
. Mrs. Hammerstone |
|
Date of Birth: |
1788 |
Marital Status: |
Single |
|
AKA: |
Hoddesdon Ripper |
Occupation: |
Brewery worker |
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.
