Victim Of British Justice:
The Robert Hoolhouse Story
In March 1938, Robert Hoolhouse, a 20 year old farmhand from County Durham was tried for the rape and murder of 67 year old Margaret Jane Dobson.
The court heard that If Robert was home by 5pm on the day of the murder, he could not be the murderer. The police accepted his statement that he was home by 5 pm, and his next door neighbour saw him at his home at that time.
The murderer left a footprint at the scene. The police confirmed that it could not be RobertÕs.
The police superintendent responsible for the case told the court that Robert was Òof perfectly good character and a very reserved disposition. He is classed as a good worker by his former employers.Ó
The judge ended his summing up for the jury by saying that Òthe evidence is quite consistent with this man having committed the murder but it is consistent with him not having committed it.Ó
Despite all this, the jury found him guilty, and the judge sentenced him to hang.
The appeal court said that these matters were for juries to decide and dismissed his appeal.
The Home Secretary said that he had Òfailed to find sufficient ground to justify advising His Majesty to interfere with the course of law.Ó
On the 24th of May 1938 Robert told his parents not to worry; saying ÒIÕve done nothing wrong so IÕve nothing to worry about.Ó His faith in the British justice system was misplaced. He was hanged two days later on the 26th of May, protesting his innocence to his last breath.
Soon afterwards the world was at war. RobertÕs story was all but forgotten but it needs to be told.