Deering, Richard –  Hanged after failed suicide bid

Deering, Richard (1882-1907)

RICHARD Deering was sentenced to death after a lovers’ suicide pact went horribly wrong.

Deering, a married man from Birmingham, had been working in the area as a booking agent for a travelling performing dog and animated picture show.

At Edenham in 1907 he met Emily Lockwood and the couple fell in love.

Realising their plight, with him unable to afford a divorce, the couple decided on a joint suicide pact.

Emily bought oxalic acid and they took equal amounts and lay together in a stream to die.

They were spotted by a passing carter who called police. The couple were taken to the workhouse infirmary and although Emily died, Deering was saved.

He was found guilty of willful murder by the jury at Lincoln Assizes.

The defence said the girl had bought the poison but the prosecution insisted as it was a joint pact each was guilty of murder.
The jury put forward a strong recommendation for mercy but in passing sentence the judge ignored this.

Deering was hanged at Lincoln prison.