Jean-Pierre Vaquier

Case record: Jean-Pierre Vaquier

Background

Jean-Pierre Vaquier was 45 years old when he was sentenced to death.

Alfred Jones was the proprietor of the Blue Anchor Inn in Byfleet, Surrey. His wife, Mabel Jones, ran the hotel.

Vaquier was in France when he met Mabel Jones. They enjoyed an affair. After Mrs Jones returned from holiday, Vaquier turned up again, this time as a guest at the Blue Anchor Hotel in Byfleet, where Alfred Jones was unaware that his wife and Vaquier were already lovers.

Vaquier told Alfred Jones that he was in the country on business and intended to use the hotel as a base. Vaquier stayed for six weeks without paying. When Alfred Jones asked for money, Vaquier said he was waiting on a cheque from a business deal.

The offence

On the 29 March, Alfred Jones drank a glass of health salts as he did every morning. He complained that the drink did not taste right. A few hours later, Alfred Jones died in agony.

An analysis of the body found that it contained strychnine.

Mabel Jones was questioned along with Vaquier during the police investigation.

Investigation

Because of the suddenness of Alfred Jones’s death, the police had the body analysed and found strychnine.

Vaquier and Mrs Jones were questioned, and a photograph of Vaquier appeared in the evening newspaper. The photograph was recognised by a chemist from a nearby town, who contacted the police and said he remembered the man in the photo as a customer who had purchased poison.

Trial

Vaquier protested his innocence throughout the trial.

The trial took place at Guildford Assizes on 5 July. Vaquier was convicted of the murder of Alfred Jones.

Sentencing

Vaquier was sentenced to death.

Outcome

Jean-Pierre Vaquier was executed by hanging in Wandsworth on August 12, 1924.

Other details

Mabel Jones was Alfred Jones’s widow and was associated with the affair with Vaquier during a holiday in Biarritz. After the holiday, Vaquier followed her home and poisoned her husband.