South Yorkshire Times, December 9, 1967

Please note that the names have been changed

Life Imprisonment for Conisbro’ Labourer
Who Killed Step-Grandfather

A 17 – year old labourer, Malcolm Stanley, of 11 Elder Grove, Conisbrough, near Doncaster, was sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr. Justice Glyn-Jones at Chester Assizes on Friday.

Stanley had had a plea of not guilty to the murder of his step-grandfather, John Thomas Bradley (64), of 112, Daylands Avenue, Conishrough, accepted by the prosecution. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

“DECENT MAN”

The Judge said this was the cruel killing of a thoroughly decent man.

“This decent man who had done everything he could to help Stanley was killed by stabbing because Stanley lost his temper for a reason not very adequate,” said the Judge. “The step-grandfather had accused him of stealing money from the landlady, Mrs. Bishop, at the house in which they were living in Richards Terrace, Cardiff.'”

Stanley had been emotionally disturbed and it was essential that he should be carefully watched and controlled until those responsible were satisfied about his recovery, the Judge added. He could not order that Stanley should be detained during Her Majesty’s pleasure, but the effect would he the same. If Stanley co-operated then, in a reasonable time the Home Secretary would consider whether he could be released.

Relationship

Mr. Alan Davies, Q.C., prosecuting, said the relationship between Bradley and the boy was very good.

When Stanley joined his step-grandfather in Cardiff, money and a gold chain and cross which he had given to a girl friend, were missing.

After the killing Stanley went back to the Doncaster area, where he was seen by the police. He said he did not know anything about the killing, said Mr. Davies.

In a statement, Stanley said he was in bed when his step-grandfather accused him of taking money and slapped his face.

“Berserk”

“I went berserk,” he said. Then he saw his step-grandfather covered in blood.

Mr. Aubrey Myerson, Q.C., defending, said Stanley had always spoken in glowing terms of his step-grandfather and he still did so.

“He was the best friend this young man had ever had,” said Mr. Myerson. “He killed the one man who had shown kindness and consideration to him. For two years before he joined Bradley the boy had been the breadwinner for the family of two young brothers.

Besides working at his job, he did the shopping, cleaned the house and cooked.

There was no evidence that ever before had Stanley wielded a weapon against anyone, Mr. Myerson added.