Murderous Leeds

THE city of Leeds and its nearby partner, Bradford, have seen some of the most intriguing cases of murder this century. This book opens with the story of the man who killed both his daughters because he couldn?t afford to take care of them. He was subsequently told by the jury which found him guilty of murder that he had been kind to his children. The book ends with the murder of a man who had bragged about a win on the football pools. Other chapters, though, are equally fascinating.

The reader will find the story of William Horsely Wardell, who wormed his way into his victim?s affections and then brutally battered her to death. Imagine his horror when his description was published in a newspaper and all his friends rushed to give him up to the police.

Alternatively, what of the story of William Batty who shot his rival in love, or of Eric Briggs who killed his wife after she discovered that he was having an affair with his own step-daughter. Or Walter Sharpe, who with an accomplice shot a shopkeeper during a robbery.

Finally, read of the mysterious death of Emily Yeomans and decide for yourself whether David Maskill Blake was guilty of murder.

Remember that in this country, a man is not required to prove his innocence. All that is necessary is that you, as a member of the jury, have a reasonable doubt as to his guilt.

Leeds and Bradford have indeed seem some fascinating murders and not only does this book catalogue all those this century which ended in the execution of the convicted, it also includes many illustrations never before published.

Finally, after nearly 60 years, it names the other suspect in the Blake case, and for the benefit of the true crime historian it contains a complete list of all the executions at Armley jail since 1900.

 John J. Eddleston