Phosphor

*****

Mary Ann Ansell

On 9th March 1899 22-year-old Mary sent a cake to her half-witted, younger sister, Caroline, residing in the Leavesden Asylum, Watford. Within hours Caroline and other inmates who had shared the cake were ill. Caroline, who had eaten most of the cake, died in agony.

Mary had taken out an insurance policy, worth £22, on her sister and demanded payment from the local agent. One of the asylum's doctors, Dr Blair, analysed Mary's remains and determined that the girl had died from phosphorus poisoning. Mary was promptly arrested.

Mary protested her innocence telling the court that she had bought the phosphorus to protect herself from rats. The jury, however, were not convinced and quickly found her guilty with no recommendation of mercy. Mary confessed soon after the end of the case and was hanged in St Albans Prison on 19th July 1899.

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Gregg Manning