Henry Graham

Henry Graham was convicted of the murder of his 30-year-old wife Margaret Ann Graham and sentenced to death. He stabbed her outside 20 St Marks Road, Sunderland on 21 December 1924. Henry Graham had been a window-cleaner and ex-soldier, having served in the army from August 1914 to March 1916, when he was discharged as being physically unfit and awarded 16/- a week disability pension for thrombosis in the leg, the result of enteric contracted in civil life and aggravated by service in the trenches. It was noted that there was no record of him having been wounded or blown up, as he himself had stated. Henry Graham and Margaret Graham married in 1919 but their marriage was an unhappy one owing to Henry Graham's violent temper and addiction to drink. They had no children, but in 1922 they adopted a small boy after seeing an advert in a paper. However, in August 1924 Margaret Graham obtained a separation order for persistent cruelty after he struck her on the head following an argument with a tea-caddy, which required treatment at the Royal Infirmary. However, whilst the summons for that was pending he swallowed disinfectant in a supposed suicide attempt, but the police were called in and rendered first aid. Following his recovery he was severely reprimanded by the Chief Constable and was after that repeatedly before the court for maintenance arrears, being drunk and disorderly, and for threatening behaviour to his wife. His wife in the meantime had taken the adopted child and gone to live with her mother at 18 Rutland street in Sunderland, whilst Henry Graham himself stayed at 73 Wear Street. Sometime between 10 and 20 December 1924 Henry Graham bought a sheath knife. On Sunday 21 December, Margaret Graham went to the infirmary with her brother and cousin to visit her sister who was there, and as they were returning, Henry Graham approached her, saying that he: xxxqxxx Wanted an explanation. xxxqxxx They stood about talking together for about ten minutes after which Henry Graham struck her in the mouth, knocking her down. He then drew the knife and stabbed her several times in the back. Her brother-in-law then intervened, but Henry Graham stabbed him too, although Margaret Graham managed to then run off, but he followed her and stabbed her again. Henry Graham then attempted to run off, but he was chased by a number of people and one of them succeeded in making him give up his knife and detained him until the police arrived. Margaret Graham died within about fifteen minutes. She had been stabbed about eight times through the left side of her back. When he was arrested, Henry Graham said: xxxqxxx I have stabbed the wife. I bought the knife to give to the kiddie (who was then two years old). We have been separated for about three months. I met her in the street today and she would not come to any terms, so I stabbed her in the back. I meant to do it and I hope she is dead. xxxqxxx On the way to the station he asked if she was dead and, on being told yes, replied: xxxqxxx It’s a good job. I know where she is now. I won’t be long in following her because I am sure it will get this. xxxqxxx Pointing to his neck. He was described as having been perfectly sober and unnaturally calm following the murder.. At the trial the jury returned a verdict of guilty without a recommendation to mercy and his appeal was dismissed. He was executed at Durham on Wednesday 15 April 1925. 1925 April 15th: Henry GRAHAM (42) Durham An ex soldier, working as a window cleaner in Sunderland, who killed his wife of four years when she left him. After failing to persuade her to return and writing her numerous letters, Graham finally managed to arrange a meeting between them a few days before Christmas 1924. They began to talk when, without warning, he punched her in the mouth. As she collapsed to the ground, he pulled out a knife and repeatedly stabbed her to death. He tried to escape by running away but many witnesses had seen him commit the murder and he was easily detained. After conviction, before Mr Justice Acton at Durham Assizes on 6 March, he asked if he could be allowed to see his adopted son. a wish that was granted. He read the Bible continually in the death cell. and walked to the scaffold chanting: 'Oh Lamb of God, I come.' Hanged alongside SHELTON by Thomas Pierrepoint and William Willis, assisted by two new assistants, Henry Pollard and Lionel Mann, whose presence had been requested by the Governor, probably for them to gain experience. Age:- 42 Date of Execution:- Wednesday, 15th April, 1925 Location of Execution:- Durham Hangman:- Thomas Pierrepoint Assistants:- William Willis, Henry Pollard, Lionel Mann Tried At:- Durham Trial Dates:- 6th March, 1925 Trial Judge:- Mister Justice Acton Crime:- Murder Victims:- Name:- Margaret Ann Graham Age:- 30 Location of Murder:- Outside 20 St Mark's Road, Sunderland Date of Murder:- Sunday, 21st December, 1924 Method of Murder:- Stabbed Relationship to Killer:- Wife