Patrick Power

Background

Patrick Power was a forty one year old unemployed Irish labourer. He was convicted of the murder of his landlady, Mrs Sarah Ann Sykes. Power had been lodging with the Sykes for several months. He claimed unemployment benefit.

Power had borrowed £5 from Mrs Sykes at the beginning of April. His bank balance was in the black to the tune of some £40.

The Sykes’ husband informed Power that if he did not repay the loan that day, he would be evicted. Mr Sykes then went off to work as usual, and later that afternoon Power walked into Pendleton police station, Salford, and confessed that he had killed his landlady.

The offence

After Mr Sykes went off to work, Power and Mrs Sarah Ann Sykes were alone. Officers accompanied Power back to the house and found her body lying under a piano. Mrs Sarah Ann Sykes had been attacked with a hammer and knife and had massive injuries.

Investigation and arrest

Power later handed himself into the police. At the police station, he confessed that he had killed his landlady. Power was taken into custody. Power claimed he had no idea what had happened and said he could not remember a thing.

Trial

Power was tried before Mr Justice Finlay on 8th May at Manchester Assizes. At his trial, his defence claimed that Power's mind was distorted by spiritulism, and they asked for a verdict of guilty but insane. They also stated that Power was a former soldier with over twenty years service.

Sentencing

Power was sentenced to death for murder and was hanged on 26th May 1925 in Manchester.

Outcome

Power was hanged by William Willis on 26th May 1925 in Manchester.

Other details

26 May 1925 — Patrick Power Guilty but insane — that’s what his own defence had branded Patrick Power. At the trial, the defence claimed insanity, but no-one bought it. The case involved an outstanding debt of £5 owed to the landlady.