Tales from The Hangman's Record Episode Fifty Two Jenkins & Geraghty 19 September 1947 Pentonville
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- čas přidán 14. 04. 2024
- Three young London gangsters and jewel thieves coldly shoot dead a man trying to prevent them escaping following a botched armed robbery. Fitzrovia, London W1, April 1947. The murder that inspired a Bafta winning film.
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Such extraordinary eloquence from Geraghty.
Very well said about Geraghty's writing. I was moved by his feelings and observations. He could've had a different life if he could've turned his writing abilities into a career. I have wasted 20 years of my life and I have thrown away the other 50.
I have wasted 20 years of my life and I have thrown away the other 50.
and now has been residing in hell for the last 60 years or so
@@geezerp1982 You'd have thought he'd have expressed at least some remorse for taking the remaining 50y of Mr de Antiquis' life, and what he did to Mrs de Antiquis and her 5 children
Who would think a criminal of this era could be so articulate ? Geraghty certainly wrote with a certain aplomb,and who knows he may even have made something of his life in different circumstances.
Another interesting true crime story looking forward to the next ..
today this parasite would get 20 years
Geraghtys letters. No mention of the victim. No remorse at all. It was all about him.
True.... But then he does say it would be hypercritical to show remorse in public
What a tragedy, the two found guilty went armed, and I believe they were intent on using the guns they stole, which, unfortunately one did. Another gripping tale, told with your excellent narration. Thank you, Steve.
Geraghty's letters are the most interesting of all the subjects discussed and portrayed.
The quality and your research and use of clear and concise story telling makes this channel head and shoulders above so many others.Thankyou.
Kind words thank you
I agree with your comments about Geraghty's letters. They betray a much greater intelligence than you might otherwise expect of a killer like this. I strongly suspect that if his background had been just a little different, he himself might have had a very different outcome. It still doesn't come anywhere near to excusing the crime though. It's also fascinating to see how the police worked in an era when forensics were so inferior to what we have now. They seem to have really been on the ball to close this case with the information they had.
Thanks for another episode that maintains your high standard of excellence.🇦🇺
Another well researched and excellently presented episode, thanks Steve
That picture is iconic! I remember seeing it in a true crime magazine when I was in my teens and Alec had a very memorable name. The gang were very much criminal through and through. There's no glamour in what they were doing although I suppose they thought there was. Another brilliant presentation of the case Steve. I love these podcasts.
Quality as always Mr F
Steve a brilliant episode. Most interesting, yes guilty as charged and justice served. I find it interesting that that Albert Peirrepoint was a witness to the hue and cry following this crime and in his autobiography stated he was of the opinion that the death penalty was no deterrent to Murder.......However the Police Commissioner at the time clearly thought it was with the defendants associates and local crime gangs breaking up shortly after the executions in this case.........It must also be said that there has never been occasion when an executed murderer has ever committed a further crime. History tells us that the are plenty of cases when reprieved and released murderers have gone on to offend again and commit further murders.......perhaps its time to give it another go?
Another terrific episode Steve. Keep up the good work. All the best.
I found the young lads writing very poignant and moving to be honest . While not excusing his actions in any way I do feel he was very intelligent and what a pity he chose to take the path he did . Very sad story indeed , thank you Steve for telling it .
Steve, Thanks yet again for a great episode. Justice took its course!
All right, this is like being at the Place de la Concorde in the eighteenth century, waiting for who next will roll up to meet Mme Guillotine. I have a picnic basket and a bottle of wine, ready for the drums to start rolling.
I should start selling a programme :)
In real life I don't think I could watch an execution, even if the person was a vicious mass killer. But love reading about. I suppose I'm a coward..
@@nobdayid I haven't seen an execution either but I have seen a lot of death and it is never nice so don't think yourself a coward it simply means that you are a Human Being.
I have to agree with your assessment of the "Blue lamp" film,it perfectly captured the zeitgeist and the legal process in force during that era.
Once again Steve, the research that you did in this case, is incredible and although the crime was committed some 80 + years ago the presentation brings into sharp relief the horror of the case.
Thank you
good one, interesting that a movie was based on it
The movie was influenced clearly by this case and also the Cameo Cinema murders from Liverpool which happened a few months before the blue lamp was filmed. There was a spate of similar crimes in post war England
They made Ther choice in life,
And had to hang for it.
. No question about it
A interesting case I've come across it before but this is the most comprehensive account the tie in with the blue lamp is spot on thank you
Once again, it's a first-class video. Thank you.
These were sound convictions. Also, damn fine Police work!
I don't have faith in the Police these days.
Thanks once again for another very interesting episode. The blue lamp came to my mind as the episode unfolded. And I agree that the killers words were very poignant. Maybe he could have really made something of himself Another time another place eh. 👍
Absolutely brilliant video Steve, as ever. So well researched and presented.
Absolutely fascinating. Thank you.
Steve - brilliant.
The case conjoined two famous characters, Fabian of Scotland Yard and the gun expert, "the other Mr. Churchill."
The Blue Lamp was the basis for BBC's Dixon of Dock Green - Jack Warner was shot in the film but revived for the television series.
excellent video , thanks Steve. Completely agree with your comments.
Another great video Steve! I thoroughly enjoyed it as always! The verdict seemed to be the correct one! They paid the price for their folly
Excellent episode. I used to live in Charlotte St . So interesting to see places that are still there. Fitzroy Tavern still going strong !
Very good report on this one Steve.
Great police work and the firearms expert, Robert Churchill was key to the result in this sad case.
Strange how UK so called "justice" has come down to what we have today from capital punishment to now letting double killers out into public. RIP to the victim.
Fantastic presentation as always mate
Poignant words from one of the convicted men but the only regret I hear is from his perspective not for the murdered man, his wife, children and family.
My thoughts exactly.
The depth of research that
goes into this series, is quite
amazing, i first read of the
De Antiquis case in ,Gordon
Honeycombes, book on the
Scotland yard black museum
and have came across it, a
number of times since in true
crime books, and this is the
first time i have ever saw a
photo of Alec and his family.
Well done Steve for helping
to humanise, a very brave
man, whose sacrifice has been
lost to history.
Capital Punishment is a PUNISHMENT, not a “deterrent. Bring it back.
Yet another great video Steve, please keep them coming 👍
Great episode. Justice undoubtedly done. Was there ever a better detective than Fabian? I doubt it. "Fabian of the Yard" was a TV programme way back. I always remember that it was stated that as a pipe smoker he rationed himself to two pipes in the morning only and the same in the afternoon. In the evenings off duty he presumably smoked as much as he wished!
I've only ever seen a couple of episodes of Fabian of The Yard. Sir Bruce Seton who played Fabian also plays the CID detective Campbell in Blue Lamp. Shame they aren't all available on DVD
Another very interesting video. Thank you Steve !! 👍
Geraghty really did put into words his thoughts, if only he took a different path in his short life, we could have been reading his books if he had.
Look forward to you doing the stories of the hangmen and their assistants.
Another excellent video, great work. I have now watched them all and have been deeply impressed by the quality of the research, respectful style and compassioniate approach. The willingness of people to 'do the right thing' was much more evident in that day and age viz Alec de Antiquis and the naval officer Captain Binney after whom the memorial medal was commissioned. It also struck me that a few videos on those who escaped the gallows via reprieve might also be of interest. For all of his articulacy I felt little sympathy for Geraghty, he robbed a decent man of his life and the double execution seemed to have the desired effect in curbing criminal activities among his fromer associates.
As the video series is based on my Hangman's Record books it will be cases of people executed or in the case of George Royle in the Max Haslam case who are tied in with the narrative. My second channel Mostly Murder will look at cases that didn't end in execution
@@thehangmansrecord2860 Looking forward to it. Always thought provoking.
Really like these. Podcasts, so much that I wish they'd be a lot longer.
This one will be the longest so far....
Fascinating case, as well researched and presented as ever. It could have been an alternative plot to “The Blue Lamp”. And the fact it was one of Fabian’s adds to the natural drama of the crime.
He writes with such clarity.
A very sad case: six young children robbed of their father. I agree with your assessment of Gehraty’s writing. Although he had been in trouble with the police from childhood, his letters display intelligence and feeling. Had he born into better surroundings, his life might have taken an entirely different course. We will never know. I shall watch The Blue Lamp.
fascinating story.......and remarkable letters !! Thank you again !!
Thanks Steve good to know at least one of the condemned, regretted his actions…before meeting Albert P.
Both received their deserved sentence , as for the then seventeen year old…it appears he went straight after serving his sentence, but will have to face God , which will tell if he repented or not…which could be a much heavier sentence than man can impose.
Have a great day!
Another excellent episode Steve. I first read about his particular murder in Paul Willetts 'North Soho 999', which is a superb account of the crime and. its aftermath-in fact a real page-turner. If you haven't read it yet, you are in for a real treat. I think another film that was, at least, partially inspired by this incident was 'The Boys' released in 1962, with a stellar cast including Dudley Sutton as one of the boys accused of murder, Richard Todd as the prosecuting counsel, Robert Morley as the defence and Felix Aylmer as the judge. It is, again, definitely worth a watch.
The Boys is a great film, not seen it for a while though, must see if it's on DVD
ChrisFE Jackson
Another great episode Steve, appreciate all the hard work you put into generating such interesting facts about cases. Top man!! & thank you.
I agree with your thoughts about Geraghty. He appears to be an intelligent and personally insightful individual. Tragic that his circumstances and choices brought him to this end.
Brilliant again Steve, thanks. I do feel that the writing of Gerraghty seems self indulgent with no mention of the poor individual who died.
Another great episode, Steve. Thanks!
For me, the best one yet. Perhaps in another time, Gerhagty, who like you say had undoubted intellect, may have turned out differently. All round, a very sad case.
A well researched and interesting video, nice one Steve.
Thank you, Steve. Another fantastic video.
brilliant
Superb presentation as usual.
Geratiy was no idiot judging by his writings about his situation.
A classic post war British capital crime . But i admit it is the first time i have the photograph of the victim lying in the street . Well told as usual and yes , the criminals knew what their own fate would be if caught . They took that chance and lost .
Geraghty appeared to be intelligent and articulate for a London criminal with a writers feel for words. Fascinating stuff again Steve but very sad and tragic. You mentioned they were hanged side by side so I guess double hangings were still in practice at the time. I think I remember reading about them in Syd Dernley's or Albert Pierrepoint's book. It must have been particularly hard for the second condemned man to be brought through and see the other man already strapped and hooded on the trap.
Another excellent episode of a very famous murder one that I was intrigued about and have fished the site of the murder. My immediate thoughts when; I first researched this case was what happened to Mrs Antiquis and her six children and was glad to hear that the State had forgotten them and awarded them financial assistance in the light of the bravery of her husband.
I did find Geraghty’s thoughts poignant and suggested an intelligent individual who had his life taken a different turn would have used those 50 wasted years to good effect.
Thanks Steve 👍🏻
I have given up seeing who the subjects are. I just click play. Thanks Steve.
Another great production.
Jenkins' brother Thomas and a man called Ronald Hedley were convicted of killing Captain Roger Binney in a similar murder in 1944/1945 in Southwark - Hedley was sentenced to death for murder but served 9 years; Jenkins received an 8-yr sentence for manslaughter .... Matthew:)
He mentioned this?
All that was explained in the video apart from the length of Hedleys's sentence :)
There is an excellent book called North Soho 999 detailing this case. Pierre point on his way to a lunch appointment passing the scene stuck in my mind. And in these days of London and its knife crime problem, the amount of firearms discharged in those days was surprising.
Yes I have a copy
Excellent episode Steve. Meticulously researched and very well told indeed. One of the best you’ve done imho alongside the recent Marwood & Forsyth/ Harris episodes. Keep up the good work.
One of your best.. Many thanks ..
Brilliant as usual.
Thanks that was an enjoyable listen 👍
Albert pierrepoint was in the street when this robbery took place.
Immortalized as "The .32 Caliber Bullet" on the Orson Welles radio program THE BLACK MUSEUM (with names changed, of course). Geraghty's writings saying he had wasted his life put me in mind of statements made on the scaffold by George Boleyn and Francis Weston (I think) in 1536: "I little thought it should have come to this." I have THE BLUE LAMP in my video collection (along with the released episodes of DIXON OF DOCK GREEN), but haven't yet watched it...I think I will come a quiet weekend.
I've got all those Orson Welles Black Museum, Scotland Yard and Whitehall 1212. I managed to match up quite a lot of the cases despite the name changes
@@thehangmansrecord2860 I updated the Wikipedia entry for THE BLACK MUSEUM with all of the cases I could match (my main sources were Martin Fido's MURDER GUIDE TO LONDON, Tom Tullett's MURDER SQUAD & Professor Keith Simpson's 40 YEARS OF MURDER). There are still 11 episodes/cases yet to be matched.🙂
@@tonyscheinman3538 email me the link Tony when I get a minute I'll see if I can fill the gaps :) Steve@stevefielding.com
Steve, as a future episode I’d be interested to watch see one on Louisa May Merrifield.
You wont have to wait too long that episode is almost complete
Very sad for Geraghty with such observation, insight and awareness of what happened to him and so sad they were hanged
Tried to give this a like but it wouldn't allow it , just a message came up saying resource has been exhausted.
Geraghty's only regret was getting caught and sentenced to die.
Great episode, very enjoyable.
Can't stop looking at your barnet though.......syrup or just a large portion of Grecian 2000? 😆
All natural rock n roll hairdo :)
Another fascinating case. I was drawn to one of the police officers by name of Fabian, because the name seemed to ring a bell in that I was under the impression that Fabian was a police officer if some fame in relation to other cases in the London police file. Perhaps that is just my imagination.
Fabian retired in the early 50s and appeared at the start of each episode in a TV series called Fabian of the Yard which starred Bruce Seton as Bob Fabian. There are a couple of episodes on CZcams but I can't find anything on DVD
Another great episode.
If Rolt had turned 18 prior to the end of this trial, could he have also been sent to the gallows?
In England & Wales the death penalty for murder was abolished for u-18s in 1933 (by age of conviction); by age at the time of crime that was in 1948 - so (I don't know Rolt's birthday) he could have been std, so as he wasn't he must have been 17 at the time of the trial - however the last execution of someone under 18 was in 1889 after which the Home Office made it clear in private that no-one under 18 would be executed under any circumstances .... Matthew:)
.... Rolt was born - J to M 1930 so was u-18 at time of conviction - he died on 12 May 2008 in Hampshire [Ancestry] .... m:)
If these three guys had been tried a year later would Rolt been looking at a death sentence or as he was under 18 at the time the crime was committed he would not receive the capital penalty?
@@FreyaBastet In England & Wales under s. 16 of the Criminal Justice Act (1948) the liability to the death penalty was raised to 18 (at the time of the offence). [30th July 1948] .... so regardless of when Rolt was tried he would not be std as he was u-18 when the crime took place - Apr 1947 .... but had this new not been passed even if had been std he would not have been executed as it was decided 'secretly' after 1889 that no-one under u-18 (at the time of the offence) would be hanged .... In other words the 1933 law which raised the dp from 16 to 18 (at time of conviction) was ignored by the HO .... m:)
A most interest true story, Gereghtys thoughts are indeed very thought provoking.
I didn't know they could do multiple hangings at the Ville, in a previous case of Harris and Forsyth they were hung at the Ville and Wandsworth and wonder why they hung them both together.
Also the gallows is next to the condemned cell so I wonder where the second person was held?
This series is so fascinating and beats watching Fiction.
Thanks for the comments. There were usually two condemned cells at most prisons as prior to 1954 double executions were quite common. This was often simply as it was more cost effective to despatch two criminals in one go and save the expense of the hangman making two journeys. With fewer executions in the latter years doubles were stopped so it shared the work between both senior hangmen to keep them 'match fit' for when next called upon :)
@@thehangmansrecord2860 you are a mine of interesting information.
these videos are like nachos and dips..once you start its hard to stop
hopefully not cheesy though :)
It is always tempting to seek excuses for people who commit crime, poor upbringing, poverty to name but two, but the decision to commit crime is a conscious one. Inevitably some genuinely bitterly regret what they have done and would not have dome it again if they could turn back the clock as in this case. Many others have no sense of guilt at all, have no concern or sympathy for their victims and continue to commit crime the rest of their lives. Jenkins and Geraghty I think were in the first category, they were amateurs, didn't intend to kill but simply lost their bottle at the wrong moment, but in law this makes no difference. Sad case all round wasn't it?
Loved the old photos, one was The Palace Theatre in Westcliff, its still there
Was struggling to find more mundane Southend streets scenes from the 1940s :)
Another outstanding story, you're the best Steve!
Thank you :)
remember that case steve, father of 6 murdered.
Wot? No Christmas Humphreys?, BTW, I agree with you on the letters. No Dumb criminal, as you said.
Christmas was on his summer holidays :)
It scares me to think with a little bad luck I would be the one with the rope around my neck
I have to agree with you Steve I find greraghtys letters extremely poignant "what is death like" wow ? Being sentenced to the unknown that great unanswerable question. That must have been terrifying. He seems to have been such a clever lad too. I know that he deserved to suffer the consequences of his actions but Still I really feel for him as he' comes across in his letters as very intelligent and thoughtful.
Yes totally.. He left a family of six children without a father through his actions, but all the same I couldn't help feeling sorry for him as he realised the consequences and all the things in life he was going to lose after he's made the 9 o'clock walk
Extremely powerful and moving...
He was convicted with others of a virtually identical armed robbery in 1945 but they “only” knocked a victim unconscious. He only got a month in jail and maybe recalled to finish a Borstal sentence he was already serving, not sure. Seems like a short sentence for such a serious offence, he should have realised he’d already got off lightly and wised up if he was that clever?
Just out of borstal! Desperate men who think they're invincible & believe a way of a quick and easy bank roll is to rob a jeweller without thinking about the consequences of their actions. If they got away with it, I believe that they would of done something similar again.
Love your work Steve. I was surprised when you revealed yourself. I had always imagined you to be a portly, bald man with a huge beard 😂
Sorry to shatter those illusions :)
You've got a cute wee face Steve. You're just not who I was visualising 😁
Nice of the Press in those days to publish the photo and address of a 14 year old witness? 😬
Was quite a common thing to do in those days
Robert Sanders not Saunders..Thomas Jenkins just released from prison..
The sentence was correct but it is sad that murder and the resulting death sentence was the only thing which woke him out of his criminal stupor.
The letter may portray illegence and his awareness of what might of been cocerning him. But there was not a word uttered of regret of his actions towards the victim nor the victims wife nor his children
The voice fits the subject matter perfectly but what's the story with the ridiculous rug?
I'm not sure what you mean by ridiculous rug
How typical of this guy Geraghty his 'penned letter's ' nothing but self pity and blame at anyone except himself not a word here from him toward his tragic victim a young father of 6 (think that was the number mentioned by Steve)
I think he was asked to specifically say how he was feeling about the trial rather than the case itself, hence saying he didn't want to come across as hypercritical in respect of showing remorse.
Widow got £1.92p a week kids got £2 between them in 1947. seems nothing for the loss of a husband and father.
That was a gesture by the police, she may well have had some insurance or income
I find it astonishing that any unarmed person would stand in front of an armed thief pointing his gun at them. This man paid with his life for what to me was an act of extreme foolishness. They got away anyway! Will never understand why anyone would challenge an armed robber. Left a wife and six kids.
Different times, there are a number of examples of this sort of thing in the annals
this man paid with his life because a young thug shot him dead in broad daylight on a London street-to accuse the victim of extreme foolishness is ,quite frankly , adding insult to injury-i think it was an act of extreme selflessness and bravery
Hi Steve just out of interest have you considered doing any "tales" about the US service men hanged by Tom pierpoint at Shepperton mallet David cobb ect ? And how different he found the American execution protocol? I think they would be interesting having read your books. Really enjoying your work mate. James
That very thing is in production at the moment mate
I'm looking forward to hearing the one about Ernest Jones and the Armley chair . As I've mentioned to you it was firmly engraved into the folklore of the place even in 2002 . As was Ethal majors ghost in Hull . I remember that it was common knowledge that some of the screws (especially female ones) refused to work nights alone on D wing in Hull. The prison officers wing office was situated very close to the old condemned sweet. By the that time the actual condemned cells and drop ( only a very small area on D wing ) had been turned into a shower room and bellow that a room with washing machines. It's was near the library. I remember it well.
@@jamesross1799 I had a show round Hull prison a few years ago, you could still see where the gallows were. I'm still looking for a good pic of Ernest Jones for the video, the one I have is a bit poor
@@thehangmansrecord2860 it's very obvious that that is where they were if you know what you are looking for. When I was there as I say on D 2 there was a shower room bellow on D 1 a room with washing machines. They were nearby the steps to the library. I also remember that on the outside wall of the lower section it was obvious that a door had been bricked up. Armley was different. A wing in fact A 1 (The block) punishment cells was were the condemned cells were up until 1950 Walter sharp. The actual drop was next to the prison cookhouse. It was also used as a bloody garage believe it or not at the time. I've been in there as it was a storage room and once we went in there to get a projector when I was doing a degree on English social history (never finished it but I should have done as they had arranged for me to go to a colleague in Leeds to do just that) later they built a purpose block at Leeds and the screws told me that it was in use 22 years ago as the dog unit Hq
@@jamesross1799 I had a visit to Leeds arranged then they had a 'situation' and cancelled all non essential visits that week, then covid came along and it never got rescheduled
I suppose waiting for death concentrates the mind. I think we are all capable of better things given different circumstances. Such a waste for all concerned.
Am I right in thinking that Betty from coronation Street was in the blue lamp. ?
No I don't think so. Nobody ever seems to mention tbsra real Scotland Yard detective has a small cameo. Fingerpringt expert Fred Cherril is one talking the prints from the car when he's asked if there are any prints. Too many for my liking he says badly acted
I'm sorry, I have no admiration for the 'innermost feelings' of this lad. I was a prison governor in England for 30 years, and I have read so many things like this (although of course not by someone facing death). Typical narcissistic or sociopathic stuff - not one word of remorse for taking a life. Not one. Just regret that he'd lose his.
And I am very strongly anti-capital punishment. Always have been,
I respect your comments and from your life experience you are far more qualified than I to understand the workings of the criminal mind. Maybe because I haven't come across this type of writing that often I found his words quite moving. This wasn't written as a appeal for leniency just a young man's awareness of the situation his actions had led him to.
@@thehangmansrecord2860 I didn't for one minute think it was an appeal for leniency. And it is very articulate - but I think you'd be surprised just how many 23-year-old ex-borstal career criminals can ('could' at least) write like that, at least a little like that.
But it's the complete lack of remorse that strikes me. Just sorry for himself.
As usual, a fine documentary.