Poor lad. At least he overcame and was successful. That takes a lot of strength of character after what he went though. Finally, his family was acknowledged that he was wrongly convicted. It didn’t give him back the 10 years he lost though. Thank you for the story.
Agreed. That he was able to move past this horrific experience (as best one can, anyway), lead a respectable life and build an apparently loving family despite the odds being stacked against him, is extremely impressive.
My grand da said, of a very similar case, that we might pity people like that poor boy...and, he'd always add there's nothing wrong with that, as pity is a noble impulse...but we also need to RESPECT their ability to survive such things with their mind and soul intact. We should admire their tenacity, courage and endurance. And we ought to study them...the things that led to a hasty, badly done investigation, a sham of a trial and years of incarceration. But also HOW the individual coped...HOW he resisted despair and self destruction in a situation like this when many thousands and thousands of people thought he was guilty and many of those would have said so. How not to give up, give out or give in when all the odds are against you and your life and reputation is in ruins. Wrongful convictions aren't a rarity in our world...and any of us could find ourselves in that lad's place...but even if we never did, people like this have a great deal to teach us about how to handle adversity. Grand da often hired people who wanted to work after being found innocent but couldn't find an honest job. Grand da usually gave them gardening or animal work or arranged a job for them...never had any trouble with his helpers. Grandda said the only way to get a fair trial in the court of public opinion was to just make it impossible for society to deny the discrepancies, the falsehoods, the acts of malice and the hidden agendas. The truth is a mightier weapon than any ranged against it, he'd say. You can knock it down but it always, ALWAYS gets back up again.
This whole case is absolutely tragic. Jack had a decade of his life stolen and his reputation soiled. Sarah never got true justice. Two more people died and another attacked. Absolutely horrible.
This is a heart breaker. I'm glad Jack was able to go on to a normal life once he got out of prison, especially since he shouldn't have been there in the first place.
I'm so glad that Jack is finely able to rest in peace without this hanging over his descendants. I don't think he was guilty at all and I also think the police are complicit in the murder committed by Richard when they let him go. This is not a case I had ever heard off and I thank you for sharing with us. Great video
Most of his decendants probably didn't even know he existed. But that poor kid, SMH. There's no real justice for him. Cops are STILL manipulating evidence, and innocent people are still being convicted and killed by the state. . . A LOT.
i can imagine those 5 hours were spent planting things in Jack’s mind that he was the killer, or even telling him that everyone believed/“knew” it was him. such a shame. one of the first cases where i genuinely don’t believe the prosecuted is guilty.
Robert Sheppard seems like the likely killer since he admitted to owning the butcher knife found next to the murder victim. He also had a history of violence and, judging the book by its cover, looks just plain evil. Interesting case, thanks for bringing it to your viewers attention.
The phiz on that gadge, definitely a wrong 'un! Never even mind the name - would _you_ let your daughter go out with a feen by the name of "Silky Bob"?! Sh1†, I'd convict him on that, alone. You don't come by a handle like that from giving frail 'aul wans lifts to church! Give him a fair trial and then, string him up, _I_ say!
You know, I read somewhere that there's a disproportionate number of psychopaths working as butchers compared to other fields. It's definitely possible that this was just vegan propaganda though. Assuming it's true, I reckon that those people are drawn to a field that lets them act out a bit without any legal/social ramifications. Kinda like narcissists being drawn towards trying to achieve stardom and kid dy didd lers being drawn towards working with kids.
@@scz1770 Actions speak volumes ... "lol". Jack H went on to have a distinguished service in the RTR and had been described as kind hearted. "Silky Bob" killed two people incl a young girl.
Well he clearly was pure evil with history of violence against women which the poor boy didn't and he didn'tseemto show any violent behavior either, so if he was in the area I think it's extremely likely that he murdered her.
I’m glad the boy’s family got some satisfaction, at least, and he did manage to grow up and live a blameless life. That comment about the pictures may have been suggested by the adults at his coercion- I mean, interrogation, similarly to the way adults would later suggest D&D games as motives to young people they were interrogating for crimes. It sounds like the local police let a serial killer go free and grasped at anyone else just to get a conviction
What a fascinating case! Jack was so young and probably very naive. Who knows how much pressure the police put him under in order to get a confession! So many strange factors.. I love your clear and concise storytelling, Paul and it's always a pleasure to see you out on location. It really adds a special touch to your unique videos.. thank you for this intriguing case. It certainly made me say, _"Well I never!"_ 🙋🏻♀️
Thank you once again for casting light on these poignant reminders that we, as a race, have been capable of terrible things for a very long time! I was pleased to here that the young man was exonerated! Thank you again for your amazing delivery of a sad story!
I just found your channel today and I'm in love! You remind me a lot of my late father both in how you tell your stories, your empathy and slight sarcasm when it's needed and you look honestly like you could be related and its very comforting 🥺 (despite the content being about death) I was surprised to see how little subscribers you have, I expected millions with the quality of your content!! I'll be sharing your channel for sure!
I am always fascinated by these old cases. The way you present them makes me go back in time. Poor boy he was doomed from the start. But at least he had a great life after he was released from prison. Thanks for making these interesting videos 😃🤗. Greetings from Norway
In my opinion, WIN is one of the best programs on RU-vid. I've only been watching for a few months and am so happily impressed. This series will prove to be evergreen. Keep up the great work and please continue to produce more of your excellent episodes!
Mr Brodie: This is one of the best channels on all of RU-vid. Your documentaries are well-presented, detailed, professional and very enjoyable. Especially well done are your visits to the sites as they are today. Everything is top-notch. Thank you, good sir. Cheers!
Thank you Paul for a clear succinct delivery of the story without padding or conjecture or comment. It is enjoyable to hear a clean 15 minutes of content, rather than 45 minutes of restarts and opinion. Nice to see the original faces in photos and the places. Cheers.
Looking forward to sitting down with a nice cuppa to watch this story. Mate, can I make a suggestion for a future video? It was a crime that became known as the ' Plaistow Horror' and took place in the late 1880's .Two bothers ( Robert and Nathaniel Coombes) murdered their mother while their dad was away at sea. Won't spoil the rest of the story in case anyone is interested but well worth looking into. Cheers:-) Edit: I read a very good book about the case called 'The Wicked Boy' by Kate Summerscale.
What a story! Unfortunately in the past many people paid for someone else's crime..and most of times there was no proof at all so many cases stayed unsolved and it was easy to run or dissapear as a criminal .☺️☺️Thank you very much for the video. It's always a pleasure to listen and watch
Looking at the two people in question I find it visually hard to think that young Hewitt had anything to do with such a heinous crime. That picture of the Sheppard though just be throwing off those sycho vibes. I know that looks can be deceiving and Sheppard's picture might be worth a thousand word,but to me the first word was SERIAL KILLER ! Thank you for a great telling of a such a chilling story of a murder and miscarriage of justice so long ago. May Jack rest in peace knowing his name was cleared.
When you displayed the picture of "Silky Bob" at 12:45, I pushed back so hard from my desk, the monitors rocked. THAT, dear friends, is a truly evil-looking individual. Guilty of the crime in question or not, this is not the face of an innocent man.
Again, what a great video, great narrative, and as I commented on another video, it’s really nice to see you go on location! I absolutely love your videos! xxx
Thoroughly enjoyed your presentation, thanks. Whilst I think the young boy was probably not guilty, I can't help but think before movies did murderers claim to be influenced by books? I mean other than the holy books as that's a given, more like, "Shakespeare made me do it."
I was thinking they showed him photos "pictures" not the movies. Too many little details about the crime scene seemed coached for a 15 yr old to come up on his own.
@@cuccicucci4480 You're probably right about the photos, I grew up in Belfast in the 60's and everyone referred to the cinema as "the pictures" lol. My daughters still make fun of me. 🤣
@@davymckeown4577 same here, I only say "the pictures" when I'm joking around now though. The Troxy was still standing but was owned by Rite Price when I was growing up. I'd say they probably showed him the crime scene photos while interrogating him, poor kid must have had nightmares after that. I think, in this case, Jack was lucky there was a minimum age put on the death sentence.
There were concerns that the lower classes might be influenced to crime or other wickedness by reading certain books. Hence the fuss when Lady Chaterley's Lover was released in paperback in the 1960s.
@@nlwilson4892 The banning of books dates back to when books were a new idea. There are many well documented examples of this, the christian bible in English and Orwell's classic 1984 are but two examples. My question was whether or not an accused person had attempted using a book's influence as a defence in a criminal case.
Right away this screamed "frame-up" and making him the most convenient and opportune scapegoat for these lazy police.From the added info about Sheppard he seem a much more likely culprit to me.If he were deemed such a heinous and crazed killer, why did they see fit to release him after ONLY 10 years in prison? It all smells distinctly rotten to me! But another fine presentation ,Paul! There are 2 reason I love "Well I Never " so very much,and one is the excellence in the cases and script presentation.The other is for having the most dashing and handsome narrator on YT! You're great Paul! 🤩
Love your videos, love your presentation of appropriate time period pictures and actual photos, that takes a lot or research. Could listen to you everyday!😍
Love watching your stories! I am fascinated with your old cases with So many details, locations photos and not your own judgemental but wise understanding! Keep on with your great true stories! Bless. You!
I like everything about this channel!! Excellent content, nicely produced, wonderfully soothing narration, smart simple set and an outstanding wardrobe!! Well done indeed!!
I think it’s very telling that Jack was described as kindhearted and released for good behavior whereas Robert allegedly murdered his girlfriend one year after Sarah’s murder then spent his time in prison plotting an escape but not before viciously attacking a guard’s wife and brutally killing the guard’s daughter. I don’t know if another unnamed suspect is the true culprit, but based solely on their behavior after the fact, I think it’s obvious Jack didn’t do it and that of the two, Robert seems far more likely.
Paul, what about covering the Patricia Curran murder from 1952? Not all crime in N. Ireland was violent protests and sectarian killings...this was brutal!
Hello! I stumbled upon your channel yesterday and I have to say, I absolutely ADORE you! You are most definitely the best narrator I've ever seen, I truly appreciate you. Much respect from Sweden!
Could you do the murder of John Gill, the little boy killed shortly after the Jack the ripper murders? Some say it was Jack who did it and it isn't nearly covered enough - same for the murder of Percy Knight Searle. I'd like to hear your theories!
My 50 yr interest in crime history is newly satisfied by these stories. Most were unknown to me. Thanks for keeping my "guilty pleasure" history hobby refreshed. 👍
Huh? That was the explanation for why the knife was not found sooner. It is not stated as how the area looked when the knife was found. Weather could have changed, dried wet leaves, and blown them away.
am a year long Subscriber - but only realised your genius recently - i am so happy i do not have to chase your channel/content around, because instead here it is for all - i hope everyone deep dives n acknowledges you 🍀
Well I never I love the way you tell the encounters. It seems much thought and investigation goes into making your posts. I’m glad the young man was finally proven innocent. I’m also glad he had a good life after being released. Keep up the stories I find them fascinating.
After watching true crime shows I will never completely trust our justice system. Many murders and obductons have been completely botched because of police. It's like get a conviction no matter the cost. Very sad.
Then why don't you become a homicide detective and show us how to do the job since you think you're a expert and it's a easy job. Then maybe you'll stop whining, but I doubt it.
What a total mess.. Incompetent lab reports, witnesses changing their statements to fit the crime, a forced confession from a terrified boy, and a brutal killer let loose. I'm glad Jack was able to lead a fulfilling life, just a shame he wasn't exonerated earlier, not years after his death. I dread to think how a 15 year old, innocent farm boy would be treated in prison...
A really great presentation, not filled with extra made up stories like some do. Calm and measured, maybe because ( tongue in cheek) you’re not American and 30 something. Anyway, that’s my Aussie opinion. That poor kid, so very sad, I’m going for Silky.
Spilsbury was wrapped up in the legend of himself, and he did make mistakes - he'd often perform autopsies with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Even as early as 1925 there were doubts about his methodology and he was notoriously stubborn.
An interesting and well told story-thank you for presenting it. At least Jack’s likely wrong conviction didn’t cost him the rest of his life, no thanks to his interrogators and the prosecutor.
Such a sad story. At least he managed to become successful afterwards. And his conviction has been ruled unsafe. Still doesn’t give him back the decade that he lost sadly however.
Jack was obviously taken advantage of and as a result, was robbed of a decade of living his life. Glad to hear he was able to overcome and make something commendable of his remaining years. Thanks so much for telling this fascinating story.
I know this was an horrendous crime, someone lost their life and another had his ruined although he pulled it around and made good in the end, the police were up to their usual tricks interviewing without legal representatives and coercing statements admitting guilt, but all could think was how delicious raspberry champagne sounded and why don't pubs serve it now.
Well none were "violent" by today's standards but even way back in 1903 a short film _"The Great Train Robbery"_ was one of the first motion pictures made that displayed a form of violence. It depicted gun fights and a beating.. but the final shot in the movie is one of a bandit looking at the camera, pulling out his gun, and firing it so it appeared he was shooting at the audience.. It caused a lot of controversy at the time. Imagine if they'd seen the truly violent movies of today!
@@pimpozza wow I've never heard of that. I think I correlate movies from those days to things like Nosferatu which didn't cross my mind. Thanks for the reply I think I'll see if I can track it down.
@@incredibleflameboy Do look it up! You'll find it on YT if you search "1903 The Great Train Robbery" - quite fascinating to see a "violent" (silent!) movie from so long ago!
@@incredibleflameboy Although made later, the original 'Psycho' by Hitchcock was black & white yet people in the audience swore the blood in the shower scene was red, and quite a few fled the cinemas because of that! It may not seem so horrific to us in this day & age, but back then their 'mild' horrors were probably more scary than the gory ones they do make today.
@@amethyst1826 I'm a massive fan of Hitchcock. Even knowing about the shower scene in psycho I'm convinced I've seen it in colour even though I know for a fact that I haven't. That scene is so effective.
As a forensic pathologist Sir Bernard Spilsbury really had no business giving his opinion on murder weopens but by the 1920s he had become so famous that his word had become law in murder trials. This wasn't the only occasion that his opinion was given far more weight than it merited. ,A great man who became to an extent a victim of his own success.
