Elijah Richards

Eli Richards was a veteran of world war 1, and not serving in the second world war due to a recent broken leg.

Jane Turner, aged 64 years, had just been sacked from her job as a housekeeper as she was drunk on duty.

June 1941, On this night Richards and Turner met in the Bell pub, in Bristol Street, Birmingham.

Richards posing as the kindly gent offered for Ms Turner to stay at his sisters house, they left the pub just before closing time, and were seen waiting for a tram to Cotteridge.

Two Home Guard men later saw the pair in Bournville Lane.

Just before midnight, local residents in Franklin Road heard the screams of a woman, it was not until the following morning when a Cadbury worker found Ms. Turner's body in Cotteridge Park. A walking stick was found near the body.

A post-mortem revealed she had died from cerebral concussion, and shock from multiple injuries

Police tracked down the tram driver and the 2 Home Guard men, police were quickly on the doorstep of Richards.

When police arrived they noticed scratches on his arms and face, and also that he walked with a very pronounced limp, possibly should have been using a walking stick, which he claimed he had lost.

22nd July 1941, Richards was found guilty on day two of his trial, and sentenced to death.

19th September 1941, Richards was executed at Winson Green prison by Albert Pierrepoint.

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