To the judges this extract demonstrated that as far as they were concerned, Sir Henry had known of the droplets of blood and had attempted to use their presence to Knighton’s advantage. They concluded that Inspector Wheeldon had been fair in his handling of this issue and the investigation of the crime as a whole.
On 17 October 2002, the judges again highlighted the huge significance of Knighton’s unsolicited confession, when sober, on the morning of the crime, and in a unanimous decision stated:
We have studied all the material drawn to our attention by the CCRC. Having done so, we are troubled that this conviction was referred at all . . . Ultimately, unlike the CCRC, we have been unable to find any significant new information, which on close analysis leads us to doubt the safety of the conviction. Accordingly, the appeal will be dismissed.
This unique case was thus brought to a close after seventy-five years.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOOKS
Sharpe, Neville, The Derbyshire Pit Murders, 1966
Sutton, John F., Annals of Crime in the Midlands Circuit; or, Biographies of noted criminals in the counties of Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Lincoln: From authentic records, Henry Field (Bookbinder), 1862
NEWSPAPERS
Derby & Chesterfield Reporter
Derby and Derbyshire Gazette
Derby Daily Telegraph
Derby Express
Derby Mercury
The Illustrated Police News
Other titles published by The History Press
Murder & Crime in Lancashire
MARTIN BAGGOLEY
True crime writer Martin Baggoley has selected a fascinating collection of tales of murder and manslaughter from across Lancashire over the last century. The crimes are as diverse as the locations in which they were committed, and include mass murder and suicide in Salford, infanticide in Manchester, robbery and murder in Oldham, a vicious assault over a wager in Liverpool, and rape and murder in Darwen.
978 07524 4358 4
Haunted Derby
PHILIP SOLOMON
Explore the darkest secrets in the history of Derby with this collection of true-life tales from ghost-hunter Philip Solomon. Featuring hooded monks and spectral centurions, the White Lady of Elvaston Castle and a chain-smoking spirit named ‘Smokey Joe’, his book records all the phantom residents of the ancient city, and provides an intriguing introduction to the hospitals, taverns and streets where ‘paranormal becomes normal’.
978 07524 4484 0
Derby: Picture the Past
SARAH PARKIN AND DARREN HOLDEN
This collection of over 200 old photographssupported by descriptive captions, provide a fascinating pictorial history of some of the buildings, people, transport and memorable events in Derby over a period of more than 150 years. The images include Victorian cityscapes, Derby people at work and leisure, scenes of war and sporting triumph.
978 07524 3580 0
Edwardian Derby
HARRY BUTTERTON
Using local newspapers including the Derby Mercury, the Derby Reporter and the Derby Daily Telegraph, this enthralling volume explores the changes and developments that the Edwardian period brought to Derby. With sections on leisure, industry, crime, religion, education and even the weather, all aspects of daily life in Derby are covered; proving a fascinating glimpse into a lost world.
978 07524 4702 5
If you are interested in purchasing other books published by The History Press, or in case you have difficulty finding any History Press books in your local bookshop, you can also place orders directly through our website www.thehistorypress.co.uk
Derbyshire Murders Page 16
