Frederick Arthur Cross

Frederick Arthur Cross murdered Donald Haywood Lainton 28 who he stabbed to death in the driveway of Birchen Bower Farm, Willslock, near Uttoxeter on 25 February 1955.

Frederick Cross had been living in a hut at a disused RAF station in Hixon after his wife had left him. He said that he wanted to die and had tried to take rat poison but said he didnt have the courage.

When he saw Donald Lainton whose car was stuck in the snow he said that he knew that if he killed him then he would be hanged.

Donald Lainton was found in his car on te night of 25 February 1955 in the road leading to Birchen Bower Farm. He had been stabbed multiple times including a wound through his eye that had penetrated his brain but he was still alive and he was taken to hospital but died the next day.

After Frederick Cross was arrested he made a full confession and refused to have a defence in court and after he was convicted and sentenced he made no appeals.