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Trial of Percy Lefroy Mapleton


ISBN13: 9781911273295
Published: January 2019
Publisher: Mango Books
Country of Publication: UK
Format: Hardback
Price: £26.00



Despatched in 5 to 7 days.

At 3.20pm on the hot afternoon of 27th June 1881, the London Bridge to Brighton train pulled into Preston Park, a mile from its final destination. As the ticket collectors approached the carriages, one saw a thin, sickly looking man sitting in a first-class compartment beckoning him over.

As the official arrived at the window, he saw that the passenger's face and neck were smeared with blood, and there was a clot beside an ear. There was blood between his fingers, blood upon his clothes, blood in the carriage and blood upon the train's footboard, which also bore the marks of bloodstained fingerprints. The carriage was otherwise empty.

A terrible tale was told of being attacked and shot at by two other passengers, who had now disappeared, before falling into unconsciousness until arriving at Preston Park. As the passenger stepped onto the platform, it was noticed that a small chain was hanging out of his left shoe. One of the collectors stooped to pull on it, and a gold, white-faced watch emerged. The passenger had, he said, put it there for safekeeping. He was taken to Brighton for treatment, on the journey giving his name as Arthur Lefroy, of 4, Cathcart Road, Wallington, Surrey.

So began the extraordinary story of Percy Lefroy Mapleton. During his return journey to south London accompanied by two railway police officers, a body was found by workers on the tracks in Balcombe Tunnel, 18 miles before Preston Park. Was this one of Lefroy's attackers, or was there something more sinister behind the discovery? The answer seemed to be given later that day when Lefroy absconded from his home and disappeared into thin air for eleven days.

During this period, an inquest presided over by Coroner Wynne Baxter heard evidence from Scotland Yard's Divisional Surgeon Dr Thomas Bond and concluded that the man found in Balcombe Tunnel had indeed been murdered by Lefroy, and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

A sketch of the wanted man was provided by someone who knew him; this, in turn, was developed into a wanted poster. When the likeness appeared in The Daily Telegraph of 1st July, it made history as the first time an image of a wanted person appeared in a national newspaper. As a result, with other newspapers subsequently publishing their own sketches of an increasingly-evil looking Lefroy, the public became hugely interested and false sightings of the fugitive were reported the length and breadth of the county. By the time he was finally arrested by Inspector Donald Swanson a week later, Lefroy was, in the public's eyes, already guilty, having been subjected to trial by the media.

But was Lefroy telling the truth? He resolutely stuck to his story of being attacked by one or more fellow passengers, even when his solicitor suggested that the criminal psychiatrist Dr Forbes Winslow examine him in an attempt to prove insanity. There were no witnesses to any assault on the dead man, Mr Frederick Isaac Gold, and some witnesses stated that the train did indeed slow down just enough for potential attackers to jump off, as Lefroy had suggested.

The jury at his trial had no such doubts, however, and after just ten minutes' deliberation found him Guilty. Dramatically, following the Judge's pronouncement of the death penalty Lefroy turned to the jury box and said: "Gentlemen of the Jury: Some day, when too late, you will learn that you have murdered me."

In Trial of Percy Lefroy Mapleton, No. 86 in the official Notable British Trials series, Adam Wood examines the reality of the events of 27th June 1881 and compares the polar-opposite lives of Lefroy and Frederick Gold, and considers the impact of The Daily Telegraph's decision to publish the likeness of a man who was, at that point, still far from being proved guilty.

This book reproduces the testimony given at the trial, together with an introduction, a chronology and appendices.

Subjects:
Trials

Series: Notable British Trials

Trial of Ronald Light: The Green Bicycle Case
Edited by: Sally Smith
ISBN 9781911273769
Published May 2021
Mango Books
Trial of Ronald Light: The Green Bicycle Case
Edited by: Sally Smith
ISBN 9781914277139
Published May 2021
Mango Books
Trial of Louise Masset ISBN 9781911273271
Published March 2018
Mango Books
Trial of Israel Lipski
Edited by: M. W. Oldridge
ISBN 9781911273202
Published September 2017
Mango Books
Trial of Sir Roger Casement 3rd ed (with Jacket) ISBN 004908J
Published May 1960
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£50.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of Sir Roger Casement 3rd ed ISBN 004908
Published May 1960
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£40.00
(Second Hand)
The Trial of August Sangret (with Jacket) ISBN 004500J
Published July 1959
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trials of Timothy John Evans and John Reginald Halliday Christie ISBN 004599
Published November 1957
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Notable British Trials and War Crimes Trials
Edited by: James H Hodge

Published December 1954
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Christopher Craig and Derek William Bentley (with Jacket) ISBN 004282J
Published August 1954
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
The Trial of John Thomas Straffen (No Jacket) ISBN 04522
Published January 1954
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Jeannie Donald (with Jacket)
Edited by: John G. Wilson
ISBN 004595J
Published November 1953
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
The I.R.A. Coventry Explosion of 1939: Trial of Peter Barnes and Others ISBN 004542
Published May 1953
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£75.00
(Second Hand)
The Trial of John George Haigh: The Acid Bath Murder (with Jacket)
Edited by: Lord Dunboyne
ISBN 004280J
Published May 1953
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of William Palmer: For Murder by Poisoning 3rd ed (with Jacket) ISBN 004540J
Published September 1952
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
The Trial of Gustav Rau, Otto Monsson and Willem Smith: The Veronica Trial (with Jacket) ISBN 004502J
Published July 1952
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
The Trial of Gustav Rau, Otto Monsson and Willem Smith: The Veronica Trial ISBN 004502
Published July 1952
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£60.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of The Stauntons for Murder by Starvation and Neglect: The Penge Mystery 2nd ed (with Jacket)
Edited by: J. B. Atlay
ISBN 004482J
Published May 1952
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of the Seddons for Murder by Poisoning 3rd ed (with Jacket)
Edited by: Filson Young
ISBN 004912J
Published May 1952
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Alfred Arthur Rouse: The Blazing Car Case 2nd ed (with Jacket) ISBN 004510J
Published May 1952
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Mary Queen of Scots 2nd ed (with Jacket) ISBN 004391J
Published December 1951
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Neville George Clevely Heath (with Jacket) ISBN 004495J
Published August 1951
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Neville George Clevely Heath ISBN 004495
Published August 1951
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Frederick Bywaters and Edith Thompson 2nd ed (with Jacket)
Edited by: Filson Young
ISBN 004480J
Published July 1951
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Dr. Lamson: The Blenheim School Murder 2nd ed (with Jacket) ISBN 004481J
Published July 1951
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Patrick Carraher: Twice Tried for Murder in Glasgow (with Jacket)
Edited by: George Blake
ISBN 004596J
Published March 1951
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Oscar Slater 4th ed (with Jacket) ISBN 004911J
Published May 1950
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£50.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of Ronald True 2nd ed (with Jacket) ISBN 004488J
Published May 1950
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Buck Ruxton 2nd ed (with Jacket) ISBN 004490J
Published May 1950
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Jessie McLachlan 3rd ed ISBN 004492
Published April 1950
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£45.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of Oscar Slater 5th ed ISBN 004489
Published April 1950
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
The Trial of Peter Griffiths (The Blackburn Baby Case)
Edited by: George Godwin
ISBN 004598
Published February 1950
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
The Trials of Frederick Nodder: The Mona Tinsley Case (with Jacket)
Edited by: Winifred Duke
ISBN 004531J
Published January 1950
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
The Trials of Frederick Nodder: The Mona Tinsley Case
Edited by: Winifred Duke
ISBN 004531
Published January 1950
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£25.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of James Camb (The Port-hole Mystery)
Edited by: Geoffrey Clark
ISBN 004483
Published June 1949
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£50.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of George Joseph Smith: The Brides in the Bath Murders (with Jacket)
Edited by: Eric R. Watson
ISBN 004284J
Published June 1949
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Madeleine Smith 3rd ed (with Jacket) ISBN 004285J
Published May 1949
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trials of Burke and Hare 3rd ed ISBN 004504
Published July 1948
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£40.00
(Second Hand)
The Trials of Oscar Wilde (with Jacket) ISBN 004077J
Published June 1948
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
The Trials of Oscar Wilde: Regina (Wilde) v. Queensway & Regina v. Wilde and Taylor ISBN 004366
Published June 1948
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
The Trial of Thomas John Ley and Lawrence John Smith: The Chalk Pit Murder ISBN 004591
Published June 1947
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£40.00
(Second Hand)
The Trial of Thomas John Ley and Lawrence John Smith: The Chalk Pit Murder (with Jacket) ISBN 004591J
Published June 1947
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of William Joyce
Edited by: J. W. Hall
ISBN 004534
Published March 1946
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Field and Gray
Edited by: Winifred Duke
ISBN 004496
Published March 1939
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Buck Ruxton ISBN 004490
Published May 1937
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Robert Wood (The Camden Town Case)
Edited by: Basil Hogarth
ISBN 004538
Published May 1936
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Alma Victoria Rattenbury and George Percy Stoner 2nd ed (with Jacket) ISBN 004484J
Published December 1935
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of William Gardiner (The Peasenhall Case) ISBN 004524
Published December 1934
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Sidney Harry Fox ISBN 004526
Published September 1934
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£45.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of Guy Fawkes and Others (The Gunpowder Plot) ISBN 004397
Published June 1934
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Benjamin Knowles
Edited by: Albert Lieck
ISBN 004398
Published October 1933
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£30.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of Jack Sheppard ISBN 004508
Published March 1933
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
The Royal Mail Case: Rex v. Lord Kylsant, and Another
Edited by: Collin Brooks
ISBN 004519
Published January 1933
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of John Watson Laurie ( The Arran Murder) ISBN 004518
Published June 1932
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
The Baccarat Case: Gordon-Cumming v. Wilson and Others ISBN 004263
Published March 1932
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
The Court Martial of the Bounty Mutineers
Edited by: Owen Rutter
ISBN 004507
Published November 1931
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of James Stewart 2nd ed (The Appin Murder) ISBN 004513
Published September 1931
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Alfred Arthur Rouse ISBN 004510
Published June 1931
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Dr Smethurst (with Jacket) ISBN 004275J
Published March 1931
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Dr Smethurst ISBN 004275
Published March 1931
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Harold Greenwood
Edited by: Winifred Duke
ISBN 004278
Published November 1930
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Captain Kidd
Edited by: Graham Brooks
ISBN 004521
Published September 1930
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of George Chapman (Severin Klosowski) ISBN 004264
Published April 1930
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£60.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of Browne and Kennedy ISBN 004399
Published February 1930
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£30.00
(Second Hand)
The Bloody Assizes
Edited by: J. G. Muddiman
ISBN 004509
Published October 1929
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Jean Pierre Vaquier ISBN 004501
Published May 1929
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of John Donald Merrett ISBN 004271
Published March 1929
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£35.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of King Charles the First
Edited by: J. G. Muddiman
ISBN 004486
Published May 1928
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Eugene Marie Chantrelle 2nd ed ISBN 004267
Published May 1928
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£30.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of James Blomfield Rush ISBN 004527
Published January 1928
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£30.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of Samuel Herbert Dougal ISBN 004529
Published January 1928
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£30.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of The Duchess of Kingston (with Jacket)
Edited by: Lewis Melville
ISBN 004497J
Published July 1927
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Herbert Rowse Armstrong
Edited by: Filson Young
ISBN 004272
Published June 1927
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Adelaide Bartlett
Edited by: John Hall
ISBN 004268
Published May 1927
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Madeleine Smith 2nd ed ISBN 004285
Published April 1927
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£25.00
(Second Hand)
Trials of Charles Frederick Peace ISBN 004512
Published August 1926
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£40.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of Katherine Nairn ISBN 004506
Published August 1926
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£45.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of Sir Roger Casement 2nd ed ISBN 004494
Published May 1926
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£25.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of Abraham Thornton
Edited by: John Hall
ISBN 004487
Published March 1926
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£40.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of the Seddons 2nd ed
Edited by: Filson Young
ISBN 004276
Published May 1925
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Ronald True ISBN 004488
Published April 1925
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£25.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of Dr Pritchard ISBN 005045
Published March 1925
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Kate Webster ISBN 004530
Published March 1925
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Adolf Beck (1877 - 1904)
Edited by: Eric R. Watson
ISBN 004514
Published August 1924
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Henry Fauntleroy and Other Famous Trials for Forgery ISBN 004270
Published April 1924
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£30.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of Frederick Bywaters and Edith Thompson
Edited by: Filson Young
ISBN 004273
Published June 1923
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Mary Queen of Scots ISBN 004491
Published May 1923
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Thomas Neill Cream ISBN 004265
Published April 1923
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£35.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of William Palmer 2nd ed
Edited by: George H. Knott, v
ISBN 004266
Published January 1923
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Mrs. Maybrick 2nd ed
Edited by: H. B. Irving
ISBN 004539
Published January 1922
William Hodge and Company, Limited
Out of print
Trial of Steinie Morrison ISBN 004532
Published January 1922
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£30.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of A.J. Monson 2nd ed
Edited by: John W. More
ISBN 004485J
Published June 1921
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£30.00
(Second Hand)
Burke and Hare ISBN 004274
Published April 1921
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£60.00
(Second Hand)
Trial of Deacon Brodie 3rd ed ISBN 005046
Published March 1921
William Hodge and Company, Limited
£40.00
(Second Hand)