Last man executed at Horsham

A rather gruesome ‘on this day’ sees the 181st ‘anniversary’ today (April 6) of the last man executed in Horsham!

John Lawrence, originally from Tonbridge, but living in Brighton, was seen taking a roll of carpet, along with another man, from a shop in the city in March 1844.

A shop worker followed them and grabbed Lawrence, while his accomplice managed to escape.

He was handed over to the police and questioned at the station by the Chief Constable Henry Solomon who had to do ordinary duties such as this due to the lack of staff.

Lawrence, aged 23, was quite distressed and expressed suicidal thoughts, so was sat by the fire to calm down. However, no one in the room noticed Lawrence grabbing a poker and he struck Solomon a vicious blow to the head.

The Chief Constable was taken to his home but died the following morning, surrounded by his wife and nine children.

An inquest was held the following day and Lawrence was taken to the county jail in Lewes. Just one week later he was tried, with proceedings taking a mere three hours. There were three witnesses for the prosecution and none for the defence.

The jury didn’t bother to retire and took 12 minutes to return a guilty verdict.

Lawrence was taken to Horsham gaol, which was in East Street, where he was hanged, with a crowd of around 3,000 looking on, the last person to suffer that fate in the town.

A fair was being held in the town that day, the possible reason for such a crowd gathering.

A gruesome fate awaited Lawrence even in death as his corpse was displayed for a while for those wishing to pay a small fee!

The following year Horsham gaol was closed and dismantled. However, for a few months the empty building was opened up for the public to have a look round.