William Seaman - and a triple hanging at Newgate.
William Seaman - and a triple hanging at Newgate. 46 year old William Seaman was a career burglar who was out of prison on parole. Between the ages of 18 and 46, he had spent no less than 28 years incarcerated. In the early hours of Saturday the 4th of April 1896 he decided to break into a house at 31 Turner Street, Commercial Road in Whitechapel, owned by a retired umbrella manufacturer, Jonathan Levy. He thought the house was empty, but rang the doorbell to make sure. To his surprise the door was opened by Sarah Ann Gale, Mr. Levy’s housekeeper. He forced his way in and battered Sarah before cutting her throat. He then ransacked the house, taking various items of jewellery which were identified later by Sarah’s sister, Alice Weiderman. Unfortunately Mr. Levy interrupted the burglary and was also battered and had his throat cut. A neighbour heard the commotion and called the police. Seaman tried to get out of the house by maki...