The Sinister Story of 13 Year Old Victorian Murderer Robert Coombes 

The most surprising bits of this story wasn't the murder, it was: - The Victorian justice system not wanting to hang someone, regardless of circumstance - The person being sent to a Victorian mental hospital and coming out of it (vs dying of TB or something) - The person actually seeming to have been largely rehabilitated by the process and going on to lead a normal, if in some elements admirable, life. Like... the system actually worked for once?

My younger brothers and I grew up in an abusive home, both mentally and physically, but we never talked about killing our parents, there were many times I wished they were dead but I never thought about doing it, or having someone else kill them. I waited until I graduated high school and ran away, I was 17

He adopting an abused child says even more about his early life than even the information he killed his mother after she beaten his little brother.

As a fellow Tweed enthusiast I admire your courage to wear the full regalia loud& proud in public.

I'm familiar with this case as I've read a book 'The Wicked Boy' by Kate Summerscale on the life of Robert Coombes. The reason why Robert murdered his mother out of anger because she had beaten his young brother the previous evening in front of other local children whom Robert & his brother had been playing with. The reason why Mrs Coombes had physically abused her 2 sons is that her husband was frequently away for longer periods as he worked for a shipping firm as a liner's steward out of sheer loneliness & frustation. I firmly believe that the 2 Coombe boys may have been abused mentally & physically since early childhood as the clue lay on Robert's severe headaches which he was taken to a family doctor from the age of 3 years old. The doctor advised both parents that Robert shouldn't have his head be struck any more. Why the doctor failed to alert the authorities of the fact that he suspected Robert was an abused child is a mystery to this day.

I'd heard of this murder before, but not about Robert Coombes after his release, I was just blown away. I wonder how his Dad coped.

I'm always fascinated by child killers who somehow manage to grow up to be functional members of society -- I have to wonder how, when they go so wrong so young, that they straighten out.

He committed a horrifying crime at an age marked by big emotions and poor impulse control. Then after serving time and being allowed to mature in a stable environment, he ends up a fairly decent human being. Well I never.

The considerable head trauma suffered by Robert at a protracted, difficult birth may account in part for his crime. Traumatic brain injury often features as one of the often overlooked elements which can precede such shocking events 😢

I never heard of this story before. You wonder how Robert was able to deal with what he had done and proceeded to live out a “normal” life. It’s quite an incredible tale.

It's not just the killing that's baffling, it's the craftiness of these boys, the planning and cover up at such a tender age. Shocking 😮

I’ve read the book about Robert Coombs, it’s called The Wicked Boy, by Kate Summerscale. It’s a great book and despite the horrible crime, it’s also about redemption and forgiveness. I would thoroughly recommend the book 📖

My family life was dysfunctional, and my dad was abusive. My sister and I played this game where we'd say how we would kill him in out early-mid teens. It was rather cathartic, and allowed us to express some of the trauma. We obviously never acted on any of these plans.

It's a odd story. A boy murders his mother and welcomes his own death and somehow leaves a place like Broadmoor in his thirties as a functioning member of society. And he was even kind of heroic serving in Gallipoli, taking in a abused child, and reenlisting to serve again in his 50s. I was expecting more tragedy but he sounded like a guy I wouldn't mind having as a neighbor. Did some Victorian doctor do something right or did he just out grow his issues?

A great storyteller, a true gentleman and a man of fashion!

As soon as the narrator mentioned the two boys being so different from the parents, I had a feeling they were being heavily abused. No one is raised by a great mother and hard-working father, and all of their kids (just two this time) happened to be sullen and unlike either one. If it was just Robert, ok, but Robert Jr AND Nathaniel...

I come here for the amazing, intriguing stories. I stay to gather fashion ideas from the outstanding host. Long live this channel.

I had to sit and think about this case for a while. The children were described as sullen and unlike their parents. While that could be true, I find that I believe they were most likely abused. Dad was gone all the time. How would he know what went on in his household? I don’t think the comics factored into anything except how to hide the smell when the deed was done. But once caught, he didn’t lie about what he had done. He was straightforward. The lawyer had to coax him into changing his plea. He never blamed the adult, and while he said the idea was his brother’s, he fully admitted to being the one to do the deed. He was okay with his own death at that point. In my inexpert opinion, I think he snapped, killed her, and was left with what he had done. The laughing and the mocking could’ve been done to try to irritate the police and make them kill him or to seal his fate in court.

Horrific to think he could be capable of murdering his mother, let alone at that young age. Going on to adopt a son and fighting for his country took bravery. Wow, what a mix of emotions I'm feeling 🤯

My Grandfather grew up in East London at this very time. Roughly that same age as Robert! This is one of my favourite moving, complex stories of the Victorian period -- of course, this is an excellent representation of it. As noted in the video, I recommend checking out: The Wicked Boy: An Infamous Murder in Victorian London by Kate Summerscale. Such a tragic story -- and yet, Robert was shown mercy and understanding that ultimately led to the saving of several lives. In the book, Summerscale notes that the younger brother was manipulated into turning on Robert. Summerscale makes the point the boys were complicit in the murder though the deed was committed by Robert. Separated for years, they briefly reunited in Australia when they were both serving in the war. I am no shrink, but I think Robert has a psychotic break due to the brutality suffered from his mother. According to the book, it's evident the mum was mentally ill - she beat and starved the boys when the father was at sea. Not justifying murder, but If Robert were a TRUE psychopath, he would never have managed the empathy and compassion he exhibited later in life. I believe he killed his mum in a desperate effort to protect his little brother from her. While researching the story, Summerscale actually found Robert's adopted son, Harry, who was then living in senior care. Harry paid for the commemorative tombstone on Robert's grave. He had no knowledge of Robert's dark past - he only knew the kind, adoptive father who saved him from his own cruel father.

The only thing that ever gets me befuddled about what people are capable of is, living in the house with a rotting human corpse. The smell is unmistakable, strong and horrible. If being able to do that doesn't prove insanity...anyway, Good morning Paul and crew, thanks for another doozy. ☕🌻 And good morning WINnies. 🤍

Wow what a story, I live in NSW so I found this very interesting. Terrible crime at such a young age, but sounds like he found redemption in helping others, which is admirable.

So good to see you, Paul, thank you for making my day better :-) Can't wait to watch the video after work.

This is like 5 minutes walking from my home I never knew of this story. I’ve walked past this place countless times and you’d never know it was any sort of historical site

I'm glad his stay at Broadmoor helped him. Especially since what's said about the horrors that happened in psychiatric hospital then.

I read the book about this ,, had never heard of it before then. He ended up in Australia!! My family were from Plaistow in the 1940s. Im glad you covered this largely unknown story

He was abused. For those people who say they would never think of killing their parents even when abused, all I can say is, anybody can snap. Even the most patient and kindest person has a breaking point and the abuser deserved what they themselves caused.

I think from his life after the hospital we can give some credence to the abuse allegation he leaves at his mother. His focus on the breakfast before hanging and being suicidal ads credence to the claims the brother may have been beaten for “stealing food”. Also he didn’t try to blame the mentally disabled adult which would be the go to for a truly evil child. It’s a good case for rehabilitative Justice even if the crime was without warrant.

Wow, what a post. Straight into the story without the usual long winded intro. Well done for an informative post. ❤

I imagine he tried to make amends, in his own way, by offering a stable life to another boy and serving his adopted country.

Historical true crime is my favorite; I always look forward to a new upload from your channel. Thank you!

Then it was Penny Dreadfuls to blame, 100 years later it was a Child’s Play VHS in the Bulger case. People are always desperate to point to an aspect of contemporary media which has perverted young minds, when it’s obvious that this sort of crime has the chance of cropping up at any point in history.

On Robert’s AIF Attestation papers he was asked have you ever been an apprentice. He answered yes, 5 years Crowthorne Berkshire…. the location of Broadmoor.

How have i never stumbled upon your channel earlier? This is the kind of storytelling that is gruesome, but also very much suitable for school. Very nice style, sir. You've got yourself another subscriber! And thank you for making this video 😊

This is truly one of my favorite RU-vid channel, another great story told by a great gentleman

Great horrifying story telling and the location moving definitely adds to grasping the viewer into watching. Awesome high effort you all do.

I adore the presenter's sartorial style, along with the set design for his study. Snazzy!

Thousands of kids were reading Penny Dreadful and 100 other publishers of such materials. Only a small few of them committed murders themselves. So, to blame the magazines for the murders, is absurd.

Odd really, because from his behaviour regarding his mother's murder it is simple to diagnose him as a sociopath. But that is not something that can be cured, no matter how long he was in a mental hospital. And yet as an adult he seems to have shown no signs of that and led an exemplary life. (I know that most spciopaths are NOT murderers, but they are also people with recognisable personality traits that don't seem to fit with his helping others in later life. So his behaviour as an adolescent suggests some ongoing trauma at the time that was never uncovered?

Love this channel so much! ❤ Please never stop

You are so bloody cool. I’m loving the stories. Thank you so much for making these videos! 🖤

This is the first of your videos I have seen. And I must say it's clear your content is well researched and a lot of effort goes into making them. Good script and well presented. A like and a sub well earned!

Thanks for another awesome video ❤

Aside from the great narration done by Paul - I just love this channel's artistic direction ! It was self evident, upon first seeing the seated indoor background narration. And chef's kiss, to this video's intro and outro shots ! 😍 It's greatly appreciated.

Just come across this story which is very well told. I love reading and hearing of tales like this, you have me hooked as a new subscriber.

People are more complicated than most of us want to acknowledge. All I can say is I hope his redemption was an honest attempt to atone for his crime.

Great channel. Love the presentation style and the whole aesthetic. Thanks!

Beautiful storytelling, locations and presentation. Thanks Paul.

Hi John just a quick not to say thank you so much for all your efforts in producing these insightful and thoroughly enjoyable videos - I look forward to watching new videos when I get into bed at night 😴. You are a really wonderful narrator and you are, unknowingly educating and entertaining a lot of people, sincere thanks from us all.

Perhaps he was badly abused himself by his mother and that’s why he adopted the boy perhaps he understood his plight

Wowowow. This was suggested and I love all of this. The switching to different places. When you come back I’m like where he now. I love all of your attires, very brilliant and sharp. Your voice add so much to the story like its own character. I will be watching. Great work

My favourite thing about this channel is how good this tall Victorian ghost is at using camera equipment. Way to go, man!

Such an underrated channel! Subscribed. Your annunciation is remarkable! 10/10 would recommend

Hi, first timer, hearing your stories- love it😊!!

you do these so well mate i look forward to them take care and have a nice weekend

Great video. Love your format. Great job. I love the older stories. ❤

What sad start to life. I like to think he adopted the child to give him the childhood he himself never had. RIP

Having abusive parents myself I feel bad for Robert. My parents were not only physically abusive but emotional as well. I grew up hating my parents, especially my mom and I dream of murdering her. Wrote in my diary in detail how I plan to murder her when I was 11 and left it on my nightstand knowing she will read it, and she did. It was so satisfying knowing it freak her out. But I never did have the guts to commit murder, although I thought about it for years. Things got better after I moved out and went low contact with my parents. They're both in their 70s now with no remorse how they treated their children. Awful people.

The fact that he went from a remorseless murderer to a decent, mature man who helped people baffles me. Very unrealistic transition for me. That kid seems pretty crafty, though.

I thoroughly enjoy the setting and manner in which you tell these stories. Keep up the very good work sir and blessings from Scotland. 🙏🏼

What a tragic story. It is a fact that a very high percentage of all criminals have suffered some type of head injury in their lives. This fact rings true of Robert and shame on his mother, shame, shame, shame! That his doctor had to tell the mother to stop hitting his head is testament to him having a head injury which manifested as headaches. How hard does one have to hit a child to incur these headaches he had. Issues with food as well when Robert remarked that as long as he had a good supper beforehand, that he cared not if he was suicided or was hanged. So beaten across the head and little food for a growing child not to mention the father away, appeared to make the perfect storm. He undoubtedly had a head injury of a type that perhaps made him cold to what he did but we would never know. Who really would even now. So many years in prison, just a horrid life. Shame on the mother again. Then to become a stretcher bearer in Gallipoli my goodness. The stretcher bearers being the bravest of all over there. I myself am from NSW in Australia and indeed there were many farmers that had come back from Gallipoli and dairied here. They were given plots of land or pioneer settlements. My great uncle had served underage in Gallipoli and received a Pioneer's Settlement. Also dairied. His dear daughter who only died a few years ago at 93 had told me that her mother said he was never the same from the war. Those soldiers were another special breed indeed. Getting back to Robert though, I think it took a special breed to be able to fight over there and to be a stretcher bearer, well just maybe his head injury left a kind of emptiness on some level in his brain where he just didn't see/feel/care of danger. We will never know. I hope he is resting in peace. I am just so saddened for him.

I love these “field-trip” episodes. Awesome channel

Dude your videos deserve so many more views, you do an awesome job. I love watching every video.

Thanks for the upload! Enjoy your weekend.

Thank you! So many horrifying stories from back in the day. Take care sir🙏💔🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Hmmmm.....it makes you wonder what his mother did, to make him hate her so. A psychopath doesnt just kill once and then live an exemplary life.

Good one! Thank you for posting!!

I lived in East Ham for most of my life until i married and I'd never heard that story before. Thankyou, it was fascinating and I enjoyed listening to you tell the tale ❤

Just love your storytelling!

Gday Mr Brodie another great episode hope you keep them coming and you too stay safe and l will wait till your next one😊

Excellent and far from ordinary story. Thanks for posting.

These stories and always well written and presented. However, I always seem to be eating when I read about them. And I seem to come across the part about the maggots just as I sit down to eat my meal. I really do find maggots to be especially disgusting! 🤮 😮

When I younger I was the listening person for a former member of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. He was going thru cancer treatments as a teenager (everyone was working that summer) I listened to a man telling bone chilling tales of assassination, murder, and escape from overwhelming odds. Based on my recollections, I'd say he probably could have depopulated a small town killing NKVD, Political Commissars, German soldiers, and SS killers.

I absolutely love your story telling.

Great narration... can't wait for another one .. great job 👏

very interesting and well presented!

Wow. What a tale. The truth really is often more strange than fiction. Thank you for this video.

Hi 👋 I’m a new subscriber to your channel, I watch Fascinating Horror every week and your channel came up on my homepage. I love your videos, the way you narrate them, the care and attention you give to each video. Keep up the great work😊

You are such a good storyteller. You and Mr. Ballen are the greatest on RU-vid. Thank you your videos!

Wow! I am an instant fan of your channel! You are fantastic storyteller, I cant wait to dive into another video!!

Imagine the pain emotionally and physically, mentally that he indeed survived and having had enough ended that life for all to live a better life. Just because they’re parents doesn’t make the life of the child’s safe. Horrible humans have children to abuse and sell for parts or houses of evil.

Fascinating, in a horrific sort of way. As an American, it's sometimes difficult for me to follow along, but you're calm measured voice and, quietly commanding presence, compel me to keep watching. Keep it going, have a great day 😊

Great video

Very well presented, this story. Extraordinary redemption. Thank you for posting it.

What a cracking story teller you are!

Great story and video as always! 👍You really should do audiobooks as you tell such gruesome tales with a soothing voice. Here’s to many more…Well I Never!

Fantastic video, keep up the great work. 💓

The best channel, hands down. Another great job by the most dapper dude on the planet! 🇺🇸

Nice hearing a fellow Scot telling the tales. Sounds as though Robert grew up to be a good soul, he must have been mentally unwell as a child but evolved into a decent and contributing member of society.

I think I saw this case about a year ago on either Brief Case or Forgotten Lives... Absolutely horrific! This was a good commentary of a horrible story

Very interesting, love your program

This my first time watching this channel and I love it❤

So he saved his brother, saved his fellow soldier, saved a young kid from abuse. Seems like a good kid to me.

"He read the Penny Dreadfuls" seems to be the equivalent of "They played killer games / watched TV / watched movies / read comics" of that time.

New subscriber! Love the format, narration, and lesser-known content

Oh, sorry! Forgot to tell first time on your channel and I love it!

I'm astounded that he could grow up into a responsible member of society, not to mention a war hero! Broadmoor was a horrifying place in early 1900's, especially for a young boy. Against all odds he turned his life around!

What an interesting & bizarre story! Am I the only one who says "Well, I never" at the end of each video? 😄 Great channel 👏

Your research is amazing I love it keep them going

I really enjoy your channel . This was yet another great story told so well by your good self . I can’t seem to find pier Hill fairground in London. Did they go to the Southend on sea pier?