John Edward Allen

Homicide

1known / alleged victims

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Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Fullbrook, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Date of birth: 1911
Age at first offence: 26
Characteristics: —
Victim profile: Kathleen Diana Lucy (female, 17-month-old)
Method of murder: Strangulation with a clothes line
Date(s) of murder: June 19, 1937
Years active: 1937
Date of arrest: 3 days after ( surrenders )
Status: Released
Found guilty but insane on 6th November 1937. Released on 18th September 1951.

Case Summary

Background

In 1937, John Edward Allen was a 25-year-old assistant chef working at the Lamb Hotel in Burford, Oxfordshire. He had been befriended by the Woodward family and often took their 17-month-old daughter, Kathleen Diana Lucy, for walks.

The offence

On 21st October 1937, Allen took Kathleen Diana Lucy for a walk and strangled her with a clothes line, then dumped her body at the side of a road.

Investigation

Allen was arrested a couple of days later when he surrendered to police.

Trial

On 6th November 1937, Allen was found guilty but insane.

Sentencing

He was sent to Broadmoor.

Escapes and later events

Ten years later, Allen escaped from Broadmoor dressed as a cleric. He stayed at large for two years and was dubbed by the press as 'The Mad Parson.' After his recapture, he was returned to Broadmoor.

Outcome

He was released on 18th September 1951.

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