Robin Longbottom examines how one man went to the gallows for murder, despite vehemently protesting his innocence

IN 1930, Oliver Preston and his wife lived at Station Road, Oakworth.

He had worked in the textile industry but in the early 1920s was employed at Prince Smith’s, machine makers in Keighley, collecting scrap iron. He then took an unusual turn in career and set up as a moneylender in a small office above a ladies' hairdressers in Station Buildings.

On Thursday, July 24, 1930, he withdrew £80 from the Yorkshire Penny Bank. His habit was to roll the notes up and put them in his trouser pocket. The following afternoon he went to his office to conduct business. His wife expected him home for his tea about seven o’clock, but he did not return. Early on Saturday morning he was found in the office lying in a pool of blood, having been struck several blows on the back of the head. He was taken to hospital but despite efforts to save him, he died from his injuries two days later.

When he was discovered, his trouser pocket was ripped, and the roll of notes was missing. Robbery was a clear motive, and the police now began a hunt for his assailant. An iron bar found at the scene was determined to have been used in the attack and the police quickly homed in on a suspect. His name was Fred Gill. Fred worked at Prince Smith’s and lived in Providence Place at the top of Dalton Lane. He was in debt to Preston and had recently received a solicitor’s letter demanding settlement. It was the start of Keighley Feast Week and Fred had been seen going up into Preston’s office at about 6.30pm and subsequently shopping in the town with his girlfriend Nellie Rickaby. The next day they had taken a train to Whitehaven to stay with her relatives.

The police collected Gill’s work clothes and boots from his home and found red/brown stains on the trousers, shirt and boots, which they suspected was blood. There is no report of any fingerprint evidence at the scene, but the police discovered an evening newspaper, which they asserted Gill had purchased after work and had left behind. There was also the iron bar and a sheet of brown paper that he was said to have wrapped it in.

The day Preston died the police travelled to Whitehaven and arrested Gill on suspicion of murder, which he vehemently denied. He admitted that he had called at Preston’s office after work and asked to borrow a further £2 to supplement £17 that he had saved over the past year for the holiday. He also confirmed that on the night of the attack after paying his house rent, he and his girlfriend had spent money at several shops in Low Street. When asked how much money he had on him he produced £6 from his wallet and £1 in loose change. He also had £10 which he said belonged to his girlfriend. However, these amounts together with that already spent, fell far short of the money that was stolen.

Gill was taken back to Keighley, charged with murder and remanded to Armley Gaol. A clinical chemist and Home Office analyst examined the clothing and determined that the red/brown stains were blood but added that “it was possible that those stains might have been on the articles for weeks”.

During the subsequent court case the police interfered with a defence expert witness, who declined to give evidence because they had warned him that to do so would be detrimental to his career. The judge noted the police intimidation but nevertheless proceeded with the trial. Fred Gill was found guilty of murder. A subsequent petition and appeal for clemency was dismissed, and he was hanged on February 4, 1931.