William Charles Benson
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Location
- Surrey, England, United Kingdom
- Date of birth
- 1903
- Age at first offence
- 25
- Characteristics
- domestic dispute, rape, alcohol
- Victim profile
- Charlotte Alice Harbor, 25 (his girlfriend)
- Method of murder
- Stabbing with knife
- Date(s) of murder
- September 5, 1928
- Years active
- 1928
- Date of arrest
- Same day (surrenders)
- Status
-
Executed
Executed by hanging at Wandsworth on November 20, 1928; he was convicted of the murder of Mrs Charlotte Alice Harbour.
Case record
Background
William Charles Benson was a car-body builder from Bayswater. He lodged with Mrs Charlotte Alice Harbour after he had become friendly with her husband. Sydney. In 1925, the two had worked together. Mrs Harbour was twenty five years old and had two young children.
Benson, Mrs Harbour, her husband, and the children lived together in Kentish Town. The Harbours were not well off, and all three adults slept in the same bedroom.
In 1927, Benson lost his job. Soon after, Harbor accused him of having an affair with his wife, and Benson was thrown out of the house.
In August 1928, Mrs Harbour left her husband and moved into a flat at Littlehampton. She took the flat in Benson’s name. She had in fact been using the flat for several weeks prior to leaving her husband, spending the days there with Benson and returning home to Sydney in the evenings.
The victim wanted to end their affair.
The offence
Mrs Harbour was found stabbed to death on Coulsdon golf course, Surrey.
Investigation
On 5 September 1928, Mrs Harbour and her youngest child stayed with Benson in a Euston hotel room and left early in the morning. Later that day, Benson approached a policeman and admitted that he had just killed his girlfriend, and he directed him to the body.
Arrest
Benson approached a policeman on 5 September 1928 and admitted that he had just killed his girlfriend.
Trial
Benson was tried at the Old Bailey before Mr Justice Finlay. At trial, he claimed that he had killed her after she had said that she wanted to end their affair and move back in with her husband.
Sentencing
Benson was hanged on the 20 November 1928.
Outcome
Benson was executed at Wandsworth on November 20, 1928, aged twenty five. He was hanged by Robert Baxter and Lionel Mann.
Aftermath
Mrs Harbour had two young children, and the Harbours were not well off. All three adults had slept in the same bedroom in Kentish Town.
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