2002: Ian Huntley Lures Two Girls Into His Home and Murders Them

Ian Huntley, a caretaker at Soham Village College in Cambridgeshire, England, murdered ten-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman on 4 August 2002. Despite a history of sexual offending involving minors, Huntley had secured a position at the school. He used his girlfriend Maxine Carr’s connection to the girls, both pupils at the local primary school where Carr worked as a teaching assistant, to lure them inside his home as they walked past.

Carr provided Huntley with a false alibi for that night. Both were later arrested and tried. Huntley was convicted of double murder in 2003 and sentenced to two life terms. Carr was convicted of perverting the course of justice and served a portion of her sentence before release under a new identity.

Ian Huntley Lures Two Girls Into His Home and Murders Them

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1540: Thomas Cromwell Beheaded on Tower Hill for Treason Against Henry VIII

Thomas Cromwell, chief minister to King Henry VIII and chief architect of the English Reformation, was executed on Tower Hill on 28 July 1540. Born around 1485 in Putney, Surrey, he had risen from humble origins to become the most powerful man in England after the king, reshaping both church and government. His downfall came after he arranged the king’s disastrous marriage to Anne of Cleves, a union annulled within six months. Arraigned under an act of attainder for treason and heresy, he was beheaded without trial.

On the same day Cromwell lost his head, Henry VIII married his fifth wife, Catherine Howard. Henry later expressed deep regret at the execution of his chief minister, widely regarded as one of the most consequential acts of his reign.

Portrait of Thomas Cromwell Tudor statesman
Portrait of Thomas Cromwell Tudor statesman

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1721: Matthew Clark Hanged at 24 for the Murder of a Maid Near Willesden Green

Matthew Clark, a footpad from St. Albans, murdered Sarah Goldington, a maid at an alehouse near Willesden Green, stabbing her in the throat and cutting her neck to the bone before robbing the premises. He was 24 years old. Pursuers caught him shortly after when they noticed blood on his shirt sleeve, and he confessed before standing trial at the Old Bailey.

Clark was executed on 28 July 1721. His capture came swiftly, his guilt established by blood on his sleeve and his own words against him.

Matthew Clark_featured
Matthew Clark_featured

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