William Burrett

William Burrett was convicted of the murder of his wife Ada Gubb Burrett 21 and sentenced to death.

He stabbed her to death at 10 Alexandra Street, Plaistow, London on Saturday 25 August 1900.

They were married in July 1900 but William Burrett wouldn't go out to work and instead lived off of his wife’s earnings as a prostitute. They had occupied lodgings at 10 Alexandra Street, Plaistow.

On the morning of 25 August 1900 they argued over this matter and William Burrett stabbed her multiple times. She was heard to scream and soon after William Burrett was seen leaving the house with a knife sticking out from his pocket.

The paperboy discovered her body at the foot of the stairs and a doctor was called but he didn't treat her until the police arrived because he wanted them to see exactly what state she was in.

She had been stabbed in the abdomen, in both arms, in each breast and in the head.

Ada Burrett was still alive and was taken to the hospital where she made a statement. It was said that her case was hopeless from the start.

She said, 'I was quarrelling with my husband. I told him he would have to go to work. He has not done any work since I was married. He took a big knife and stabbed me all over. He then ran away. It was about twenty past seven in the morning'.

After the murder William Burrett went to his sister's house where he borrowed some money after which he went off to see another relative. However, unknown to his sister he had returned to her house where he was found by the police hiding.

When he was arrested, William Burrett said, 'Yes, here I am. She knows what I did it for, but no one else will know unless she likes to say'.

At his trial his defence claimed that he had had no intention to kill Ada Burrett, and that in consequence there was no premeditation. However, the jury spent quarter of an hour deliberating before finding him guilty.

When the judge passed sentence he said that William Burrett had been convicted of a terrible and cruel murder, but that he believed that William Burrett was sincerely sorry for what he had done and that he would not add any observations to distress him, beyond inviting him in the short time which remained to him on earth to ask forgiveness of Him who alone could forgive. He was then sentenced to death.

He was executed at Springfield Gaol on Wednesday 3 October 1900 by James Billington.

The row of houses that 10 Alexandra Street was situated in has since been demolished, but the houses from 36 onwards still exist.