When a speeding hansom cab struck a couple in London’s streets in 1902, witnesses believed the driver was drunk and fleeing the scene. Yet remarkable medical evidence suggested an undiagnosed epileptic seizure instead. The Old Bailey’s verdict created one of Britain’s earliest courtroom debates over illness, driving and criminal responsibility.
Tag Archives: Edwardian London
This Day in History: 9 October — The Deceptive Perfidy (1912)
On 9 October 1912, seaman Richard Courtney pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to attempting to break into Harry Manfield & Co. with intent to steal. His brief exchange with the judge and his six-month sentence reflect the humanity and formality of early 20th-century British justice.
The Sage Page 