Blog 42 1892 Brighton Sussex - The murder of 5-year-old Edith Jeal

The terrible murder of little 5 year old Edith Jeal sent waves of shock around Kemptown.

Edward Jeal was born in Kemptown, Brighton, East Sussex. the second of two sons born to James Jeal from Itchingfield West Sussex, and Ann Poole, from Newhaven East Sussex, who had settled in Brighton where they had married.

Edward's father was a milkman, and they lived at 22 Montague Place in Kemptown. Edward followed in his father's footsteps and became a dairyman.

Charlotte Rogers lived with her family at 4 Montague Place. Her father, John, was a local lamplighter.

On 24th April 1871, at St Nicholas Church, Brighton, Edward, age 25, and Charlotte, age 21, got married.

Charlotte was heavily pregnant and gave birth to their first child, Charlotte, on 19th May.

Edward and Charlotte moved into 7 Montague Place and had four more children. Edward was born June 1874; John was born June 1877; Emily was born September 1879; and sister Alice was born December 1880.

In 1881, daughter Charlotte, then nine, was living at no. 4 with her Maternal Grandparents, no doubt due to a lack of space with their growing family. The two boys attended school, and the two youngest girls stayed home with their mother.

On 11th June 1890, their eldest daughter Charlotte, age 19, married 25-year-old Frederick Cook. Frederick was a Coachman, his father was an innkeeper, and they lived at Sudely Street in Kemptown.

By April 1891, Edward and Charlotte had moved to no 8 Bedford Buildings in Kemptown and had three more children: Bertram, born December 1882, aged 8; Edith, born October 1886, aged 4; and Arthur, born March 1888, aged 3

In September 1891, Edward and Charlotte became grandparents when daughter Charlotte gave birth to a daughter named Charlotte.

Their oldest son, Edward, was still at home but had taken employment as an upholsterer's assistant. All the other children attended school, so Charlotte worked as a laundress.

They had become a highly respected family around the Kemptown area of Brighton.

On Thursday, 10th December 1891, Bertram, aged 9 and Edith, who had turned 5 years old in October, were sent on an errand by their father to the shop. Five minutes later, Bertram came back alone. Edith had disappeared. Edward frantically searched for her all night, even going as far as the South Downs looking for her. Mother Charlotte also spent the night desperately searching. Still, they were never to see her alive again and suffered with tremendous grief the next day when they were told the news that her body had been found in a local barn by a gardener. Her body was lifeless and bloodied, having suffered a horrendous event before death.

As word got around, young girls started to come forward, saying they had been approached by a man who was trying to lure them away with money and a woman who had stopped a man from taking a child. She took her home to her mother. Another young woman witnessed a man carrying a crying child, shouting at him not to hurt the poor little thing.

Eventually, this led to the arrest of a suspect, 29-year-old George Henry Wood, a Railway Porter.

George Henry Wood was born in Brighton on 21st November 1862, the second child of nine children born to George Wood, a bootmaker, and Margory Ellen nee Fuller. Both were from Brighton.

When George was 15, he joined the Royal Navy, serving on his first ship, St Vincent, on 9th January 1878.

This was short-lived. His service ended on 13th March 1878, when he was discharged as an invalid at Haslar Hospital Gosport due to a chest malformation.

On 5th February 1881, he then enlisted to join the 48 Brigade. He had lied on his forms that he had never been rejected as unfit for Her Majesty's service.

In April 1881, he was at the Aldershot Barracks as a Private in the 1st Battalion, 2nd Queens Royal Regiment, but only lasted 188 days. On 9th August, a medical found him suffering from Varicose veins, which he had had before entering. However, they incapacitated him from walking long distances, so he was invalided once again and pensioned off on 29th September 1881.

George decided he had had enough of England, and in 1882, aged 20, he boarded the Polynesian Vessel and headed to Canada.

He remained there for nearly eight years but headed home after he got into trouble and ended up in a Canadian Goal.

On his return in June 1889, he was employed at the gas works during the Gas workers strike in London. Then, by 31st December 1891, until this crime, he was hired by the Railway Company, working as a Porter and living with his parents at 11 Rock Street Kemptown in Brighton.

George Wood was arrested on the night of Friday, 11th December, on suspicion of having brutally maltreated and murdered Edith Jeal. He was taken before the Brighton magistrates on the morning of Saturday, 12th.

The court was packed with spectators.

Mr Pope appeared for the prosecution and Mr Ayers for the defence.

George Wood stood with folded arms and gazed about, apparently unconcerned at his position,

Mr. Pope, having opened the case.

The first witness called Edward Villiers, a gardener in the employment of the corporation:

''At about midday on Friday 11th December, I was at work near the field. I then went into the field, and on passing the barn, I saw the door was half open; that being unusual, I went over and looked in and saw the little girl lying on her back, her clothes were disarranged, and she appeared to have been violated''.

The witness's description of the victim caused a great sensation in court.

William Stanford, who was working with Edward Villiers, corroborated his testimony and added that he saw a mark on the child's throat as though she had been strangled.

Edward Jeal then gave witness ''I am the father of Edith, who was five years of age. On Thursday evening, I sent her on an errand with her older brother Bertram, and in about five minutes, the boy came back alone. I searched for my girl the whole of the night, and on the following day, I saw her dead body''.

Detective-inspector Jupp said that in consequence of inquiries, he arrested the prisoner at the Brighton Railway Station, where he was employed as a porter.

When asked if he understood the charge against him, the accused seemed dazed and said," I don't remember one article about it." He walked to the police station very quietly.

When asked where he went on Thursday evening, he said he visited the circus. On being stripped in the cell, traces of blood were found on the prisoner's clothing. The shirt appeared as though it had been washed, and on the leggings, there were, in the witness's opinion, bloodstains mixed with dirt. When formally charged with the murder after reaching the police station, George Wood faintly replied, "No, sir."

Mr. Pope intimated his intention to communicate with the Treasury, and the magistrate remanded the accused.

The inquest on the body of the murdered child was opened before the borough Coroner.

The first witnesses were the father of the child and the two Corporation gardeners who discovered the body and gave evidence similar to that given at the magistrate's court.

Dr Ross, who examined the body, said there were numerous wounds and marks of violence on it. He attributed death to asphyxia from pressure on the throat. In answer to the defence solicitors, he said there was no trace of a knife or other sharp instrument being used. The inquest was then adjourned for a week.

The funeral of little Edith Jeal took place in Brighton on Wednesday, 16th December. It was the occasion of a remarkable demonstration. When the coffin was carried out of the parent's house, many subdued expressions of sympathy were noticed, and several women in the large crowd that had assembled sobbed aloud.

The coffin was placed on an open car drawn by two horses and covered with wreaths.

Among the wreaths were tributes from Sunday school teachers and pupils and the flower girls of Brighton.

At the cemetery, there was an immense crowd, and police officers were required to keep the people back from the grave.

The family's parish Vicar, of St. Matthew's church read the service and conducted the burial.

On the evening of Saturday, 19th December, Mr A. Freeman Gell resumed the inquest at the town.

Mr. Ayres again watched the proceedings on behalf of the prisoner.

Mr Humphry, surgeon of Marine Parade, who was first called to see the body in the shed, described its appearance and said the child was blue in the face and had every appearance of having been strangled. She had been brutally injured, but death was caused by asphyxia.

Bertram Jeal, aged nine, spoke about going on an errand with his sister on the night in question. He left her outside a grocer's shop. She was holding a bundle of wood and his cap, which contained some chestnuts. When he emerged from the shop, she was gone. He never saw her alive again.

P.C. Tuppen stated that he saw the prisoner Wood about eight o'clock on the evening of the 11th. Wood, whom he had known for ten years, was the worst for drink. The witness said, "Good night," and he replied, "Good night." He described what Wood was wearing that particular evening.

By Mr. Ayres: ''Why did you notice what he was wearing on this particular night?''

P.C. Tuppen: ''I saw that he was dressed as a railwayman''.

By the Foreman: ''Do you know the prisoner well?''

P.C. Tuppen ''I know George Wood well''.

Mrs Leggett gave witness '' I saw a railway man on this evening, who had previously pushed against me; he was the worse for liquor. I saw him put his hand out to a child at the corner of the street (where the deceased was standing). In the child's arm was a bundle of wood''.

Mr Gell: ''What happened then?''

Mrs Leggett: ''He left, and the girl went with him. The next evening, I was called to the town to pick out the man.''

The Foreman: ''Is the man you saw at the Town Hall the same one you saw with the little girl?''.

Mrs Leggett: ''I think so, to the best of my belief, the prisoner was the man I saw with the child, but I could not swear it was the same man.''

Henry Spicer, employed in Eastern Road, deposed that he was returning from work on Thursday evening, on the 10th, at about nine o'clock. As he neared Chesham Street, he saw a very tipsy man—coming in the opposite direction. The man was carrying a girl, who he thought was about six or seven years of age. He noticed the man's trousers and boots were very dirty, but he could not see his face. The following evening, he picked out George Wood from a lineup at the Town Hall.

Questioned by Mr Ayres as to how it was he was able to pick out Wood if he did not see his face on the Thursday evening,

Henry Spicer: ''Something in my breast told me Wood was the man I had seen with the child''.

By the Foreman : ''Are you sure?''

He said he could not swear the man he picked out was the man he saw carrying the child, but to the best of his belief, it was.

Detective-Inspector Jupp repeated his evidence as to the arrest of the accused.

Dr Ross said he had examined the prisoner's clothes on two occasions. There were numerous marks of blood on the clothing.

The Jury eventually returned a verdict of "Wilful murder" against Wood, and the Coroner signed the warrant.

The hearing of the charge against Wood was resumed on Tuesday, 22nd December, at the Police Court before the Stipendary (Mr C. G. Heathcote) and other Magistrates.

Mr Pope appeared on behalf of the Treasury for the prosecution and Mr Ayres for the prisoner.

The public galleries in the court were crowded, and many could not obtain admission.

Mr Humphry, a surgeon who was called to the body of the child when it was discovered, gave evidence as to the condition in which he found it.

Dr Douglas Ross, who carried out the post-mortem examination, repeated the evidence he gave at the inquest, stating that the injuries to the child were sufficient to cause death in time but that death resulted from asphyxia caused by strangling.

Bertram Jeal, brother of the deceased, admitted to leaving her outside Mr Trengove's grocery shop at the corner of Manchester Row.

Next was Eliza Dunk, the wife of a railway signalman. She said she recognised the prisoner as the man she saw talking to a little girl in Sydney Street about half-past six on the evening of the 10th. She noticed him take the child, who screamed very loudly. He walked a little distance, carrying the child, and then fell with her. The child ran to her, and she took her home, leaving the man on Sydney Street.

Mr Ayres: ''Did the child say anything to you?''

Eliza Dunk: ''The child said she hurt her knee when they fell and that the man was drunk''.

Alice Guy, a labourer's wife, another witness:

''I saw the prisoner in Somerset Street going eastward with a child on his left arm. I heard the child cry, and I called across the road to him and said don't hurt the poor little thing. He was under a lamp at the time. He turned around, and I saw his face distinctly. He was very much intoxicated''.

Next to give evidence was John Scrase, 43, of Park Crescent Road, a railway carman who said he saw the prisoner on Friday, 11th December, between three and four in the afternoon at the station.

At about half past three, George said to him, "What a dreadful thing this is, Scrase." Witness inquired what it was, and the prisoner said, "Have you not heard of this dreadful outrage and murder?" He then told the witness of the murder, adding ''I would have whoever did it served the same or worse''.

Mr. Pope then put in the following letter, which the accused had written:

From your loving, loving son George. My dear Father and Loving Mother, and my dear darling Lizzie. It is with deep sympathy and the love of God that I feel in deep depths of my heart this morning that I write to you this morning; this is all through breaking the pledge that you all thought I was keeping. I was working on the vans on Thursday, and as one of the men was laid up, I was appointed in his place. Brown was my mate. He drove the first two loads, and it came on to rain. I moved the last three loads. We were carrying malt from the Station to Longhurst Brewery on Preston Road; I had never broken the pledge until last Thursday since I joined it. I drove the horses alright on Thursday, without any accidents, whatever.

I remember driving in the station gates all right Thursday night. Still, I do not remember anything after I got inside the gates. I can't remember anything after I was through the Beastly drink. I have been Helplessly drunk. It's very sorry to have to say such a thing. It has fairly broken me up. I prayed to the lord Jesus this morning, and he gave me the courage to write to you this morning. This crime has been brought to my feet. Still, as God Is my keeper and helper, I honestly say that I do not remember or can't bring myself to remember anything about it, nor can I bring myself to believe It was done by your son George.

I don't know I am sure what my dear love Lizzie will think of after two long years of courtship, and to think that we were going to be married at Easter and dear Nelly and all you what you all think, I don't know I am sure what this will all come too, but we must leave into God's hands, he will see that everything is put right, if anything should happen to me I will all my heart as God to have you in his keeping, and my poor Lizzie I don't know what will become of her if anything should happen to me tell her not to cease writing to you for I am sure this will drive her to her sister in Canada but If I am not to see her more tell her she must come down and see me. I am sure Mr Terry will allow her to see me briefly, but we shall see how matters stand in another week. God Grant that everything may turn out to our liking. It would not have been so bad if I had known what I had done, but I have no recollection of anything occurring after tea time on Thursday. This nearly drove me out of my mind last night.

I thought it was my last, for I saw the golden city and the gates open wide, and the four little ones stood there waiting to meet me. Grandfather and grandmother were sheltering the little ones, and it looked like they were waiting for me. God grant that I may see them smile one day in the beauty of Holiness. I needed your advice scores of times, but I never heeded it. God grant that this may make us all Love the lord Jesus Christ more and more than we have ever done. Still, if we live, nothing shall ever stop us from believing in his, for he has said, those that love me, I shall in no wise cast out, and that were two or three a gathered together in my name, there I shall be in their midst. Bless them, for he is a very pleasant help in times of need. I needed him last week, but I need him more now. This morning, I found a true friend in him. It seems he has taken all the care upon himself to do what is best.

Will you kindly ask Mr Smith to come and see me? I want to see him very much tomorrow if he can come too. Tell Father to cheer up and you, my Dear Mother, and thank God that all the others are growing up in fear of God. My paper is getting very short now. Look after Lizzie. Don't go back on her; keep her from going abroad if possible. I would like to see her very much; indeed, it would cheer me up greatly if I could. Now I must say goodbye, and God bless you, and may his face shine upon you, and may he always be near you when help is most needed. Give my kind love to all and kiss them all for me, especially darling Lizzie. Give my kind love to her and kiss her for me, grant that she may always walk the path of righteousness for his namesake. Amen, and ask her to pray for me and remain your ever Dear Son George.

While reading the letter, George bowed his head and burst into tears.

The hearing was adjourned until the following Wednesday.

On that Tuesday night, the prisoner had several fits after leaving the dock and could not be removed to Lewes Gaol. His condition, however, had considerably improved by Wednesday morning. At nine o'clock, he left the Town Hall for Lewes in the prison van.

The Magisterial Court continued on Wednesday, 30th December. George Henry Wood was again held on remand, now to await his final trial at the Lewes spring Assizes.

The trial of Wood v Jeal at Lewes Assizes was held on Thursday 7th April 1892.

The legal gentlemen were Mr S. H. Day, with Mr W. W. Grantham for the prosecution and Mr C. F. Gill for the defence.

Mr Day, in his opening statement, said that before stating the facts, he wished to make a few remarks of a preliminary character. It was usual in a case of such a serious nature, and where the consequences were so awful, to ask the Jury to give careful attention to the evidence to be laid before them. But from his experience of juries of this country, he knew full well that when the liberty of a fellow man was in peril, the most anxious attention was given. It was, therefore, unnecessary to ask them where a man's life was at stake for that attention. It was usual in a case of that character to ask the Jury to lay aside whatever he might have read regarding the case's merits. You have been sworn to give a verdict according to the evidence, and they had come there to fulfil their duty; therefore, he was confident the moment they entered the box, they put away any preconceived ideas they might have had or anything they had heard or read on the subject.

There was another word he would say on behalf of the prisoner. In a case where the circumstances were of such a character as to make feelings of humanity implanted in the revolt, sometimes the Jury, before the guilt was established, would look at the man in the dock and assume he was the perpetrator of the outrage.

Until this charge was proved against the prisoner, they would give no heed to such a feeling but to calmly, without prejudice and as far as they could judicially on the evidence put before them say whether he is guilty or not and reserve any feeling which could not help and which might militate against the prisoner.

The Treasury requested that the prisoner be seen for his mental condition, and the report from the medical gentlemen who were in attendance was issued to Mr Gill. Mr Day said he did not propose to call those witnesses as part of his case because the law proposed every man was responsible for his actions until the contrary was established. It seemed to him that as soon as he had satisfied them that the prisoner had committed the crime, it was up to the defence to prove that the man was insane at the time of the criminal act and not responsible for his actions.

Benjamin Sattin, a draughtsman in the Brighton Borough Surveyor's office, produced plans of the spot where the body was found. The barn was substantially built, and houses were on the south side only.

Sidney Gladwin, 1, Station Street, Brighton, a goods clerk employed by L.B. & S.C.Railways., said that on 10th December, he saw Woods about 20 minutes to seven in the watchman's hut in Trafalgar Street. He was then drunk, and I assisted him in taking an oilskin coat off, as he was unable to do so unaided. He sat down for a few minutes and then went into the street.

Cross-examined: ''I have known the prisoner for some time. I know of no difficulty having arisen of him not being passed by a doctor. Woods had told me that he was sent to London by the company to undergo an operation. I always thought him a very nice, decent fellow, and he was regarded as a good servant until this situation happened when he was very drunk. I always considered him a teetotaller and was surprised to see him in that condition''.

Re-examined: ''I had talked to him about Canada, where we had both been, in an intelligent manner. I have never seen him have a fit, but he behaved strangely one afternoon. "

By His Lordship: ''When was this''?

Sidney Gladwin: ''That might be a month or two before December''.

Treyton Harriot, a van driver employed by the Railway Company, said the prisoner had worked under him.

On 10th December, Woods was carting barley to a brewery in Preston Road, and I sent him home about 20 minutes before six. He had then finished his work. He was wearing an oilskin with his uniform underneath.

The following day, Woods did his work as usual, and in the evening, I sent him on an errand to Spring Gardens. Witness met him about half-past six, and prisoner said, ''Don't you think a man must be mad?" I asked for an explanation, and Wood noted, ''Haven't you heard of the murder?" I said, "What murder?" and he replied ''The murder of a little girl at Kemp Town." Wood then went away and returned at seven o'clock''.

Cross-examined: ''Up to this time, Wood was a quiet, peaceful, well-disposed, sober man who was an excellent workman. I understand he was an abstainer. When I saw Wood at twenty past six on the Thursday, he was worse for drink. I sent him home that evening on account of his condition, as I thought he was unfit for work. He had been going back and forth from the brewery the whole day. It was the first time he had seen him under the influence of drink. It was at half past 6 when he spoke about the murder''.

Eliza Dunk, the wife of a railway signalman, said that on the evening in question, she was in Sidney Street at about half past six and saw a little girl in that thoroughfare. A man lifted the child in his arms, and the child screamed out. He carried the girl a little way and then fell. The child ran up to witness, and she took her home. The prisoner was the man she saw with the child. He was dressed in railway clothes and appeared to be drunk. She identified him at the Town Hall and pointed to Wood in the court.

Fanny Pimm, eleven years of age, said that on the evening of 10th December, she went into a sweet shop on Edward Street. On coming out, she saw a railwayman who whistled to her. She looked back, and he then came down to her. He asked her where she lived, and after the witness had informed him, the man told her to go home with him so no one would interrupt her. Fanny declined to go. On being asked if she saw the man in court, the witness at once pointed to Wood

Alice West was another small girl who entered the witness box, but Mr Gill stood and said he did not think her evidence was essential and could not cross-examine her. Mr Day decided not to question the witness, and she was removed from the court.

P.C. Tuppen said he saw a Prisoner in Lavender Street on the evening in question. Wood wished the witness "Good night."

By Mr. Gill: ''Was he sober?''

P.C. Tuppen ''Prisoner stumbled as he passed me and was very drunk.''

Her father, Edward Jeal, gave his evidence as he had in the magistrates court.

Bertram Jeal said he went on an errand with his sister on Thursday evening. Witness bought a bundle of Wood and some chestnuts, and after putting the chestnuts in his cap, he gave them to his sister to carry. He then went into another shop to buy an egg, and when he returned, his sister was gone.

He confirmed the cap produced to the court by the police was his, and the clothing produced was that worn by his sister. A constable held up the blood-stained apron and frock, creating a court sensation.

Rose Leggett, a labourer's wife, said that about twenty-five minutes past eight on the evening of the 10th December, she saw a man dressed in railway uniform going from Hereford Street to Montague Street, whom she afterwards saw at the Town Hall. The man in the dock was the one she saw, and he was putting his hand towards a little child. The girl was carrying a bundle of Wood, following the prisoner, who turned down Somerset Street.

Alice Guy from Somerset Street, who had given evidence before, added that the man then went off in an easterly direction. She pointed out that the man in court was the prisoner. She fainted as she was leaving the witness box and had to be carried out of court.

Henry Spicer. a printer, said that shortly before nine o'clock on the evening in question, he saw a man in railway clothes carrying a child in Eastern-road, about 150 yards from the barn where the murder was committed. He could not swear on the man, but he was very tipsy.

By Mr. Gill: ''Did you know the man?''

Henry Spicer: ''I did not see the man's face, as it was hidden in the child's clothes''.

Edward Villiers, the gardener who found little Edith's body, gave his evidence as he had at the magistrate's court.

William Stanford said that on Friday, the 11th December, he was working with the last witness. As a consequence of what Villiers told him, he went into the barn and saw the body of a little girl lying there.

''I saw Dr Humphreys enter a house nearby and fetched him to the shed. The police came afterwards and removed the body in an ambulance. I saw a bundle of Wood and some chestnuts in the barn, and the cap produced was lying close to the deceased's feet. I also saw some underclothing, which was very much spattered with blood''.

Dr Humphry of Marine Parade said he was called to the field in question and, on entering, saw a child lying there dead.

"Her head was near the east wall of the building, and her feet towards the southwest. The clothes were turned up over the body, the lower body of which, except for the stockings, was naked. Some of the underclothing was Lying near the body. The child's face was livid and discoloured, as if from death by asphyxia. The lower part of the body was very much injured and torn. He should think that the child had been dead for about 16 or 17 hours. All the appearances were consistent, with the girl having died from suffocation.

Cross-examined: ''Could the child have had a fit?''

Dr Humphry: ''The child had been subjected to terrible violence. I have made no special study of Epilepsy''.

P.C. Pelling: ''On 11th December, I was called to the shed at 10 minutes to one. There, I saw the body of the child lying on the ground, and I at once sent for the ambulance.

The circus was at North Road, not near the field or the prisoner's home.

Martin Marchant, in the company of the Railway Company, stated that on 11th December, the prisoner borrowed 2d. from him to allow him a bath at dinner time.

John Scrase, a railway goods carman, said that at about half past three on Friday afternoon, 11th December, he had a conversation with Wood, who said, "What a dreadful thing, Scrase." John replied, "What is it, George?" and he replied, "Haven't you heard of that dreadful outrage and murder? " On answering in the negative, Woods said it was in a field up their way. He described the field, but I did not know the locality. "

Cross-examined: He had always found the prisoner a peaceful, quiet and sober man.

Re-examined: He always found him intelligent.

Albert Fisher, the railway gatekeeper, said he remembered the prisoner going out at 25 minutes to two on Friday, 11th December. He said he was going to have a bath and came back at 25 minutes to three.

Horace Mockett, manager of the Sussex Evening Times, said that the first edition of that paper, containing a short account of the murder, was published at 3.15.

Cross-examined: He knew of the murder definitely at about two o'clock. But he had heard of it before that.

William Thomas Moody, publisher of the Argus, said the first edition, which contained news of the murder, was published at 3:40.

Francis Simmons, gatekeeper at the Trafalgar Street entrance to the station, said that the prisoner did not go out that way on Friday afternoon. The witness said he heard of the murder between half-past four and five.

George Mockett, another gatekeeper, gave similar evidence.

Inspector Jupp discussed apprehending the prisoner and said Wood denied being in Lavender Street the previous evening. He also denied knowledge of Tuppen. Tuppen said he saw him the worst for a drink the previous night and knew him well. Wood replied that he was not there, adding that when he left work, he went to the circus and, after the performances, went straight home, arriving there about eleven o'clock. Witness asked if Wood could refer him to anyone who saw him at the circus, and he said, ''No unless the man on the door saw me."

The Inspector asked where his leggings were, and Wood obtained them. They then went to the Town Hall, where he was placed with eleven other men for identification. He afterwards told him he would be charged with the murder and violation of Edith Jeal, and he replied very faintly, "No, sir." He was then taken to the cells and ordered to remove his clothes, whereupon the Inspector discovered a large portion of his trousers was wet and blood-stained. Stains of blood were also found on his vest, pants and shirt.

When asked if he understood the nature of the charge, the prisoner said, ''Yes, but I don't remember anything about it.''

Inspector Judd also explained that on Sunday, 13th December, he was handed a letter the prisoner had written to his parents. The letter (which has already been published) was then read out. While this was being done, Woods began to cry.

Cross-examined: ''The prisoner was kept in the cells at Brighton until the following Friday. I heard that the prisoner had fits while there''.

Re-examined: '' The prisoner appeared to be in full possession of his senses on the Friday evening''.

Dr Douglas Ross, a surgeon living at 9 Pavilion Parade:

''On the afternoon of the 11th December, I was called to the police station, and he saw the body of a child. The face was smeared with blood, and the pinafore, frock and under-undergarments were saturated with it. He found that the child had been violated.

On the following day, I performed a post-mortem examination and, on washing the blood off the face, found numerous abrasions and contusions, and the nose was flattened but not broken. The epidermis was almost entirely off the left cheek. There were two distinct marks of fingers on the left side of the child's neck, and on the right side, exactly corresponding with the marks on the left, were severe contusions, which a thumb might have produced. There were bruises and abrasions on the wrists''.

He then gave particulars of the other injuries, which appalled some watching in the galleries.

He said the cause of death was asphyxia. Still, in his opinion, the injuries to the abdominal organs were sufficient to cause death in time. All the circumstances which came under his notice were consistent with the child having first been violated and then throttled.

Cross-examined: ''The injuries were very atrocious, and a great deal of violence was used''.

On the 30th December, Dr Ross explained he was called to the Town Hall to see the prisoner, who was in an epileptic fit. He remained with him for about ten minutes, and the prisoner recovered. The prisoner was very violent, and it took three constables to hold him. He is a very muscular man. The doctor was told that he had a seizure a week earlier. He said assuming that the prisoner had epileptic fits at two years old, he should expect to find him a little weaker than other men in brain power. After an epileptic fit had passed, there might be Mania. A patient, having recovered, would be confused but perfectly sane. He did not know from his experience that Mania preceded a fit. A person would be a lunatic while the Mania lasted. He was aware that the prisoner had been examined at the insistence of the Treasury, and he had seen a copy of Dr Saunders' report. He said he agreed with some of it, and in some matters, his opinion differed with Dr. Saunders. Epilepsy would be more violent if it broke out after a long interval. A debauch would be likely to bring Epilepsy on in a man predisposed to it. It was most important that a man be controlled while the Mania was on. A man with one fit was always liable to a recurrence of the seizure. He agreed that from 25 to 30 years of age was a dangerous time in the life of a man with epileptic taint—an epileptic subject, when not under the influence of Mania, might be a highly intelligent person. A man might or might not be unconscious and act automatically after a seizure.

Re-examined: ''To the best of my belief, the fit the prisoner had when I was called to him was an epileptic seizure''.

''It was possible to simulate a fit. When I saw the prisoner other times, he was in possession of his senses.

''He had no appearance of a confirmed epileptic, but a significant number of epileptic subjects went about their ordinary advocations.''

Dr Stevenson, official analyst to the Home Office:

''I had several articles of male clothing submitted to me for examination, and I found smears of blood upon them. The undershirt had been wetted and rubbed, as had probably a portion of the trousers.''

This concluded the case for the prosecution,

Mr. Gill then addressed the Jury on behalf of the accused.

''The case put before you by the prosecution was built on circumstantial evidence, on which you would be invited to conclude that the prisoner was a man who was responsible for both the outrage and the murder.

You will have gathered from the prisoner's statement when spoken to about the matter on the following day and from the letter he wrote to his parents that he had no recollection whatsoever of his movements or of what happened to him after tea time on the Thursday in question, that his mind was a complete blank about it, and that, though the crime might be brought to his feet, he was unconscious of any criminal act.''

Then, he spoke about his position regarding the matter.

''I could not deal with the witnesses in cross-examination. I am not in a position to defend a man who, charged with murder and having the possession of his faculties and senses, was able to give such information as would allow his counsel to test the accuracy of the evidence given by the witnesses called for the prosecution, or suggesting matters which would explain their evidence, or suggest something which would show they were mistaken.''

In dealing with the case, he said he was practically in the same position as the man himself, knowing nothing and suggesting nothing to discredit those who gave evidence in the matter; he took their evidence; he did not question it. He had asked about some issues outside the case but accepted what they said they believed they saw on that evening.

''The Jury must judge what it is worth. It is circumstantial evidence, which is, to some extent, dangerous evidence on which to act, but that was a matter with which you will have to deal with. There is no scrap of direct evidence in the matter; it was simply and solely inferences that were to be drawn from specific issues that are proved before you. Of course, the prosecution did not lose sight of the fact that the man on trial did not offer any explanation. Still, it must be remembered that he could not explain to them for the reasons stated in the letter he wrote soon after the occurrence. ''

Mr Gill then proceeded to speak of the probability of a sane man committing such a horrible and revolting crime. He said that it would suggest to their minds that the man who did it must have been bereft of his senses and without any particle of feeling that they would imagine to be in the mind of any ordinary human being. Counsel next suggested that the drink must have brought about an epileptic seizure and that either in the fury before the seizure or it might be in the fury following the fit, these terrible injuries were inflicted on the child.

The following witnesses were then called for the defence:—

George Wood of 11 Rock Street:

He explained the prisoner was his son. When he was about two years old, he had an illness, and the doctor who attended him said we would never rear him on account of the compression of the brain from which he was suffering. He remembered his son having a fit then, which caused him to foam at his mouth.

''George got better, but often, in the evening, he would wake up screaming and have a vacancy in his manner. He continued in this delicate state until he was eight or nine and seemed to get stronger. George then went on board H.M.S. Vincent but was discharged in a short time for malformation of the chest. He then tried farm work but subsequently enlisted in the army, from which he was invalided due to varicose veins; after that, he went to America and remained there for nearly eight years. On his return, he was employed at the gas works during the strike in London and then worked for the Railway Company in Brighton, remaining in their service until his arrest. I had no reason to complain about his conduct in any way, and he was entirely sober, to the best of my knowledge. Occasionally, he repaid the money sent to him to pay for his passage home from America. A gentleman named Golding contacted me regarding my son's return from abroad''.

Re-examined: ''I have not seen my son in a fit since he was eight.''

''Mr. Golding was the chaplain of a Canadian gaol, where his son was detained for horse stealing, an offence no doubt committed under the influence of a fit.''

Harry Edwin Ayres, solicitor for the defence, gave the formal evidence regarding the Canadian situation.

P.C. Harris, of Brighton:

''I had a prisoner in my custody at the Town Hall. He had a fit on the 22nd December, and it took four of us to keep him from injuring himself. He was extremely violent on 30th December. He had another fit of the exact nature, and it took five constables to restrain him.''

PC Jeal and PC Rampton provided similar evidence.

Dr Rogers, surgeon of Brighton police court, proved his attendance at the police station for these epileptic seizures.

Re-examined: ''When the prisoner had recovered from the seizure, he was in a sane state of mind''.

George Albion Reed, an attendant at Lewes Gaol, said that since the 4th February, he had remained with the prisoner for 12 hours out of the 24. During that time, he had three seizures. He had been in the infirmary ward.

Cross Examined: ''I have no exceptional experience in Epilepsy, but I have seen people suffering from an epileptic fit. The prisoner did not foam at the mouth''.

George Brown, a prison warden, also spoke to the prisoner, who had a fit in his cell.

Dr Saunders, superintendent of the Sussex County Asylum, said the Treasury instructed him to see the prisoner and did so on two occasions. He was supplied with the case depositions and information on the seizures at the Brighton police station.

I examined the prisoner and conversed with him, and he was perfectly rational on both occasions. That was not inconsistent with him being an epileptic subject. Epileptic subjects might suffer before a seizure from mental unconsciousness, and they might have mental unconsciousness without a convulsive fit. After a seizure, a patient might be raving mad, and it was a common occurrence with people with Epilepsy in asylums. Assuming that a man was predisposed to Epilepsy, the drink would be likely to bring on a seizure, especially if a man had abstained for some time. Statistics went to show that criminals were more liable to attacks between 25 and 30 years of age''.

He believed a person with Epilepsy might be guilty of acts of violence without being conscious of them.

Cross-examined: ''There was nothing to indicate that the prisoner suffered from Epileptic Mania. I should say he did not suffer from Mania of any form.''

He explained the prosecution had called Dr Shepherd, formerly Colney Hatch Asylum's superintendent, to visit the prisoner. He saw the prisoner the previous Monday and found him relatively calm. He talked quite coherently but was naturally depressed by his position. He said the prisoner's cranium conformation was not a good one. He was not insane by any means. He did not agree with much of Dr Saunders' evidence.

In reply to a question from Mr Gill: ''Mania sometimes preceded Epilepsy, but was much more likely to follow the seizure. He believed it very likely, presuming the prisoner had committed the offence, that he was unconscious of what he was doing because of intemperance. A man under the influence of drink, especially "with a tendency to Epilepsy, might commit such an act. He regarded this case as one that had many complications".

In reply to a question from His Lordship: ''I examined the prisoner by order of the Treasury.''

In reply to a question from Mr Day (Prosecution): ''A shock of a charge of this sort being brought on a man might bring on an attack of Epilepsy.''

This concluded the evidence, and Mr. Gill then addressed the Jury. He argued that the Epilepsy which was lying dormant came out on the evening in question under the great excitement of drink and lust and that at the time, he might have had a severe epileptic seizure, in the Mania following which he was guilty of the ferocious acts, purposeless violence which would be consistent with the unconscious state of a man who had gone through an epileptic fit. He stated that Mr Day had commented on the fact that the prisoner had been invalided from the Army and Navy from other diseases than Epilepsy and that no witness had called from his father's house or the railway works to prove that he had any bad seizures while at home or work.

The Judge then summarised at some length, and the Jury retired.

After a short consultation, the Jury returned a guilty verdict.

His Lordship then assumed the black cap and passed the death sentence in the usual form.

George Wood then fainted and was carried from the dock by guards.

A petition praying for a reprieve for George was forwarded to the home secretary and the governor of the Gaol was informed that if the petition was unsuccessful, the the execution would be carried out on Tuesday 26th April.

George was overcome with emotion since his conviction and wepted bitterly but had a glimmer of hope after It was proved he was subject to epileptic fits, and every effort were made to secure a reprieve, but on the 24th April it was announced that the Home Secretary had declined to interfere with the sentence and said the law must take its course.

On the morning of Tuesday 26th April, George Henry Wood was executed in Lewes Jail. Before and since his condemnation, he still declared he had no recollection of what occurred on that night.

Wood paid earnest attention to the ministrations of Rev. B. Wilkinson, the Congregational minister, who was with him in the morning and also present at the execution.

He had slept relatively well, was up at six o'clock, and partook in breakfast, and then, the minister arrived.

The gallows were erected at the Southeast corner of the prison yard, about thirty yards from the condemned cell. George Wood was 5ft. 7in. in height and a drop of seven feet was given. Four warders attended to Wood,

James Billington, the executioner, entered the condemned cell shortly before 9

He pinioned George, who was perfectly calm during the procedure.

Then, the procession to the scaffold began. Rev Wilkinson read the opening sentences to the burial service as the party walked along. George was looking very pale, and with the assistance of two warders, he walked firmly to the scaffold, and Billington placed the rope around his neck. The minister continued with the service and just as he reached the sentence, ''in the midst of life, we are in death'', the executioner released the bolt, and death was instantaneous—a young man never to see his 30th year on this earth in less than two minutes from cell to death. He was left hanging for the usual hour. Then later, after the usual prison inquest, his body was buried within the grounds of the prison.

LIFE AFTER

Edward & Charlotte Jeal

They had moved to 29 Devonshire Place in Kemptown by 1901 Edward still working as a dairy man.

Charlotte died on 8th January 1907 aged 57 from Cardiac Disease. Daughter Charlotte was present at her death. Edward remained at Devonshire place and his widowed daughter Charlotte had moved back in by 1921. Edward died in April 1924 aged 78.

Bertram Jeal

On 26th December 1903 at aged 21, Bertram married Alice Florence Cook, aged 21, from Bishops Waltham in Hampshire. She had been working in Brighton as a servant. Alice gave birth to their first son Bertram Edward on 20th February 1904, followed by William James on 8th June 1906 and Ernest Henry on 17th February 1918.

Bertram had gone into the electrical business, working as an Electrical fitter & inspector.

By 1939 they had moved to Droxford Hampshire and he was a meter Mechanic but had moved back to brighton and living at 59 Islingworth Place by 25th March 1944, when Alice died aged 61 at Brighton Municipal Hospital Elm Grove from Bowel Cancer. Bertram was present at her death. She was buried at Brighton and Preston Cemetery.

Bertram saw the burials of four of his siblings before he died on 06 Dec 1967, just two days after celebrating his 85 birthday and was buried with his wife.

The laast sibling to die was the youngest Arthur in 1875, aged 91.

George & Margery Wood

They remained at 11 Rock Street Brighton with George continuing his trade as a boot maker/repairer. Margery died in December 1907 aged 68, George died in June 1911 aged 70. It is unclear what happened to Lizzie. Did she end up back in Canada with her sister? we will never know. No surname was given in reports and there was no census record of her living with the Wood family.

SOURCES

1. (1891, December 12). The Brighton Outrage. Portsmouth Evening News, pg3. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000290/18911212/015/0003?browse=False

2. (1891, December 19). Inquest on the victim. Eastern Post, pg3. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0004650/18911219/032/0003?browse=False

3. (1891, December 26). Letter from the prisoner. Eastbourne Chronicle, pg3. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0003202/18911226/027/0003?browse=False

4. (1892, April 14). The trail of the prisoner. Hastings and Bexhill Independent, pg6. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0005875/18920414/210/0006?browse=False

5. (1892, April 27). Execution of Wood. Derry Journal, pg5. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0001123/18920427/139/0005?browse=False

6. (1892, April 30). Execution of Brighton Murderer. Tonbridge Free Press, pg2. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0004630/18920430/014/0002?browse=False

7. Bring your backstory to lifeTM (no date) Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. Available at: http://www.ancestry.co.uk/

8. Archive, T.B.N. (no date) History’s colourful stories in black and white, Home | Search the archive | British Newspaper Archive. Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/