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A
19th Century
Murder
and a
Spooky Experience
Brian Lush & Mike Chappell
, Cornwall Branch
Cornwall Branch recently hosted Californians; Brian, Elena and Ricardo Tremper.
Their trip started with a visit to the former Bodmin Crown Court where we saw the
re-enactment of a notorious 19th century murder trial.
I
n 1987, Brian Lush moved to a bungalow
opposite Davidstow church,
in Cornwall. Whilst walking on the moor I came across a memorial
in memory of Charlotte Dymond who had been murdered in 1844.
Charlotte lived at Penhale Farm, where her boyfriend Matthew Weeks was
a labourer. Charlotte went missing on a Sunday afternoon and was last
seen with Matthew. A few days later, she was found on the moor with her
throat cut. Matthew went missing, and was located at his sister’s home in
Plymouth. Matthew was blamed for the murder and tried at Bodmin Assizes.
He was hanged at Bodmin Gaol on 12th August 1844. There were several
suspects and by today’s standards, Matthew Weeks would probably have
not been convicted. The Prison Chaplain even made him sign a confession,
which he could not read. Charlotte was buried at the church opposite my
home in an unmarked grave.
Near to Christmas 1987, I heard a heated row between a local farmer and
his wife. With my metaphorical policeman’s hat on, I went to investigate. I
had almost reached the church when I became half aware of a young girl
dressed in dark clothing and wearing a bonnet. I thought this rather odd as
few people used the path. Not really concentrating, as the row was still in full
flow, the girl said in a refined Cornish accent, “Good evening Sir.”
I replied, “Oh, hello.” On reaching the farm, I found that two cows had run
off, so I helped search for them. I thought no more of the encounter with the
girl, but told my wife when I returned home. Just a few days later my wife was
having lunch in a local pub, when she was asked where she lived. Realising
she lived opposite the church at Davidstow, the questioner handed her a
book about the murder, written by Pat Munn, a Bodmin librarian. The book
remained unread until the following April. I tried to look for the grave, but
was unable to find it as it was then unmarked. I consulted the book and one
particular photograph. The spooky part comes next! On locating Charlotte’s
grave, I realised that it was the very spot where I had encountered the girl.
Charlotte’s grave has since been marked with a slab. Brian has taken part
in a film made to accompany the re-enacted trial of Matthew Weeks, which
may be seen in the former Bodmin Crown Court.
The Tremper
family timed
their visit just
right for our
annual Bodmin
Heritage Day.
They listened to
Cornish pipes,
watched Cornish
dancing, and saw
groups of kilted
Cornishmen
patrolling the
town in hunt
of the Beast of
Bodmin.
Brian and Elena also joined police officers on response units at St Austell.
Brian said, “The constables could not have been more helpful. Elena went
on the ride along as well and was super excited to go on what here in the
States we call a code three run, with lights and sirens. I now have a better
understanding of policing in the UK, which I will use in the university classes
I teach”.
Because Elena is Principal of a school in California, a visit to Torpoint School
was arranged. They were hosted by Head Teacher, Elisabeth Carney-Haworth
and her husband David, who is an IPA member.
Elisabeth and David pioneered Operation Encompass, a programme to
support kids caught up in domestic abuse incidents. The police pass on
information to the school, who in turn provide support to the children. This
programme has been taken up by several other UK Forces.
Following the school visit Brian and Elena had lunch with Captain Richard
Harris, Commanding Officer of HMS Raleigh the Royal Navy’s basic training
facility. Here they met Rear Admiral John Weale CB, OBE, among other
special guests, and watched the recruits passing out parade.
Bodmin Gaol
Charlotte Dymond Marker Slab
Bodmin Court
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Article
POLICE WORLD
Vol 64 No.4, 2019