The Godalming Horror.

Hastings Standard, Issue 322, 14 May 1897, Page 4

The Godalming Horror.

—. ■»- -—■ GHASTLY MURDER AND OUTRAGE. A London despatch of March 14th says :—Yesterday at Guildford the magistrate investigated a horrible story of outrage and murder at Godalming, the victim being a little boy named Ernest Packer, aged 5. About half-past 2 Mr J. Sparks, a magistrate and Alderman of the Borough, was proceeding along Cotseshall-lane when he heard cries of " Murder !" Going towards a copse bordering the road, he saw a boy lying on the ground almost naked, his throat cut, and a man standing over him. Mr J. Sparks was carrying a loaded gun and threstened to shoot the man if he moved. The latter made no attempt to escape, and, several other persons being attracted to the spot, including a police constable, the man was handcuffed and conducted to Godalming Police Station. His hands and clothing were stained with blood. The child was found to be quite dead. On a medical examination being made of the body it was seen that the throat was severely gashed, and there were other indications of shocking maltreatment. The victim's father is at sea. His mother lives within 200 yards of the scene of the tragedy. How ' the child was taken or enticed into the wood is at present unexplained. Mr Sparkes, who actually secured the murderer, had passed the very spot, but on the other side of the hedge, but seven or eight minutes before, and at that time he noticed nothing. His attention was at first attracted by hearing some children shout, " There he is." He concluded that the cries came from boys who were about to go into the wood to pick primroses, bat were waiting till he was out of sight. He, therefore, took no notice. A minute later, however,

the cries were repeated, and some woman screamed, !i Murder ! There he is! Shoot him !" Mr Sparks, woo had been out shooting, v.vnt quickly to the spot, and, looking over the he-lgv, was horrified to see the- naked body of a child, with blood streaming from a fearful wound in the throat, lyingon the ground. Immediately in front of the body was the supposed murderer, whose hands and wrists were covered with blood. Rising his gun, Mr Sparkes covered the man, and called out, " If you attempt to move I will shoot you as dead as a herring." The man at once held up both hands, and said, " dox't shoot, i'll give myself up." Mr Sparkes continued to keep him covered with his gun, and called some men who were working in a field. The murderer asked for a drop of water, but Mr Sparkes said he should not have anything, and then the man exclaimed that he would take his own life, and made a pretence of cutting his throat. Near at hand on the ground, were 2 or 3 tableknives, and prisoner made as if he would get one, but Mr Sparkes again threatened to shoot him if he moved. Accused then threw himself on the ground, crying " Oh dear, what have I done," and "Oh my poor head," and began to moan and nibble the grass. Meanwhile several men had come up, and the prisoner was secured. Dr Faulkner happened to pass near at the time, and he was called to the spot. The unfortunate little boy, who was only five years and three months old, lay absolutely naked, except his stockings, in a pool of blood. His hands were bound tightly together at his back with his braces ; round his neck was tied tightly a scarf, and there were fearful cuts, large enough to admit a hand, immediately under the chin. Life was of course extinct, and the body was removed to the Tanners' Arms, where it was shortly afterwards identified as that of Ernest Packer. Accused was taken in charge by P. C. Cheeseman, who took] him to the police station, where he was handed over to Supt. Collis.