William Henry Thorpe

William Thorpe murdered his ex-girlfriend Frances Clark 39 by cutting her throat at 9 Clarke Street, Bolton on 20 November 1925.

William Thorpe was a one legged night watchman who had at one time been sweethearts with Frances Clark before she was married. However, after she became married he became morose and vowed to get her back.

A few days before the murder he had removed a window pane from her house with a glass cutter and on the 20 November 1925 he returned and crept into her room where he slit her throat while she was sleeping.

Frances Clark said she remembered hearing the tell tale footsteps of William Thorpe's wooden leg outside the house before the murder that night.

William Thorpe said that his mind had become unhinged through drink and he had no recollection of what he had done.