Murder Story

In the rural hamlet of Titson near Bude, Cornwall, Richard Francis Roadley, an 84-year-old man, lived alone in an isolated cottage. Although he was known to live in poor and neglected conditions, local rumors claimed he had hidden money inside the house. Those stories are believed to have made him a target for robbery.

On February 19, 1927, Roadley was discovered inside his cottage suffering from severe head injuries after a violent assault. The rooms had been searched, drawers were pulled open, and belongings were scattered across the floor, indicating that the attacker had been looking for valuables. Roadley died before he could be taken to hospital.

During the police investigation, William John Maynard was questioned and at first denied any involvement. The next day, he changed his statement and admitted going to the cottage on the night of the attack. He claimed that another man entered the house while he waited outside and that this supposed accomplice killed Roadley when the elderly victim resisted. Maynard also led officers to two stolen watches taken from the cottage.

Police soon established that the man Maynard blamed had a reliable alibi and could not have been involved. Maynard was then charged with murder and brought to trial at the Bodmin Assizes in June 1928. He repeated the same defense in court, but the jury rejected his account and quickly found him guilty of murder committed during a robbery. He was sentenced to death and executed by hanging at Exeter Prison on July 27, 1928. The execution was carried out by Thomas Pierrepoint and Thomas Phillips.