At the Cambridge Police court, on Tuesday 11th March 1890, William John Warren, alias Styles, alias Stanford, alias Seaforth, aged 21, of Maidstone, was brought up on the charge of the wilful murder of Mrs Elizabeth Barber, widow, aged 69, at 3, Bentinck Street, Cambridge, on February 10th. There was a previous indictment of the prisoner for stealing from the deceased. Evidence was given that at 10:30 a.m. on February 10th, the prisoner pawned the watch of the deceased at Mr Cole’s for 7s 6d. At eight o’clock that morning Mrs Barber purchased some bread and flour in Coronation-street, and received in change a sixpence and a penny ; and that at two o’clock a relative named Rose Custance upon calling at the house, found the deceased dead and cold on the floor of the back sitting room. Mr Deighton, surgeon. who was called in, found cause of death was concussion of the brain, but there were wounds and bruises on the head which could not have been caused by simply one blow or fall. Mr Barnabus Gibson, governor of her Majesty’s prison at Cambridge, said that on Saturday, March 1st, a letter, written by the prisoner to his mother, who was brought to him, and on Sunday afternoon, March 2nd. the prisoner handed to the Governor, a written confession which he said was his own handwriting, and was quite true. In this prisoner said he confessed to the charges brought against and he gave a long and circumstantial account of his assault upon Mrs Barber, adding that he had unintentionally caused her death, and expected nothing but justice, which he deserved. The letter of confession as it appeared in the press:- Her Majesty’s Prison, Cambridge, Sunday, 2nd March, 1890. I, William John Warren, do confess to charges which are brought against me. I came to Cambridge on Friday, the 7th February, as an agent for India-rubber stamps and sewing machines, with the intention of working up an agency. I had only few coppers at the time, and I had walked from St. Neots that day, and I looked about for lodgings. I went to No. 3, Bentinck Street, and there I engaged a bedroom of Mrs. Barber, with the intention of staying there. I never went out the rest of that day, but I was indoors writing some circulars out. I gave Mrs. Barber the name of William Stanford, the same that I put on the circulars, and I also gave the names of the firms I was working for. On the Saturday I went out and distributed some 150 circulars, with the hopes of getting an order (I had also tried at St. Neots, but without success). I came back down-hearted. On the following Sunday I went round Cambridge, and in the evening I went to the Salvation Army. I had no thought of doing wrong then, although I had no money. I had spent 10s. 9d. upon this machine and circulars, which is a swindle, as I have found out since. On Monday morning I got up. I felt miserable, for I had told Mrs. Barber I would give her some money, and I had none to give her. I was coming out of my bedroom when I saw the watch by Mrs. Barber’s bed-side. Her bedroom door was opened, and Mrs. Barber was downstairs getting breakfast ready. I went into her room and took the watch, and came downstairs and had my breakfast. Mrs. Barber had been out before I got up, which was eight o’clock. I did not know what do. I felt inclined to put the watch back ; but then, I had no money. I thought I would ask her to lend me some till next day, so I did ask her. She said she had no money. I felt excited, for Mrs. Barber was going upstairs, and I thought she would miss the watch, and would raise an alarm before I could get away, and would have me locked up. She had a pail in her hand with some water in it, and was just going upstairs, I went up to her and said ” Wait a minute, Mrs. Barber,” and put both my hands over her mouth, so that she could not scream, and I pulled her into the room, and was going to tie her hands together and a handkerchief over her mouth. As I was dragging her down, my foot slipped, and we both went down together, and her head struck against the corner of the fender and the pail was upset over me. She lay between the fender and a chair. I thought she had fainted. I was very much excited. I felt sorry for what had done. I felt in her pockets and found 6d. in silver, and think 4 1/2sd. or 5 1/2din coppers. I went upstairs and looked in the chest of drawers, but could not find any money or anything of any value. I kept listening, and heard Mrs. Barber breathing. I thought she was coming round. I did not tie her mouth over. I put on my coat and came away. I went at once to Mr. Cole’s, at Bridge Street, and offered the watch to pawn, and there were three persons in the shop at the time. I got close to the counter, for my trousers wore wet through. I then went to the station and took a ticket to London. had to wait a short time for the train, and every minute expected to see a policeman looking for me. When I left the house Mrs. Barber was breathing. l am sure she was not dead. When I reached London I went to the Whitechapel Swimming Baths to pass the time away, and then went to King’s Chambers, at Eden Grove, Holloway, where I paid 6d. per night for bed. While I was there I sold three chains and some studs, and some links and pins, all of which was my own property, which I brought from home. I stayed at Eden Grove until the 18th, when I left for Croydon, and then finally Epsom, but on the following Wednesday, the 12th February, I walked to Maidstone, a distance of 36 miles, but I did not go home or see any of my relations. I did not go right into the town, and that night I slept under some straw. I met some people I knew before I got near Maidstone—a Mr. Beatie and Mr. Stevens. The things I left at Mrs. Barber’s were a bag, three stamps, a machine and circulars, a shirt and socks, two long scarves, and a dictionary. This is my confession that I was the cause of Mrs. Barber’s death, for which I expect nothing but justice, which I deserve, and that which have written is the truth, as God is above me.—(Signed) William John Warren P.S.—I never have been in the name of Warren before. l am known in the name of William J. Styles, by which I prefer.—(Signed) W. J. W. Further evidence was given as to finding the things left behind by the prisoner as described in his confession and he was remanded for a week.

On 18th March, he was committed for trial for the murder of his landlady Mrs Barber. On July 8th, at the trial, evidence was given that he had presented himself at the Epsom police office, after seeing something in the paper, which suggested he was wanted in connection with the theft of a watch in Cambridge. Details of the letter were given. Mr Rawlinson and Mr Mayd prosecuted and Mr Charles Dickens (not the author!) defended the prisoner. The judge in summing up said the only question was for the jury to decide whether the prisoner was guilty of murder or manslaughter. The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter. The judge said he thought the verdict was a merciful one, though he thought the jury was perfectly justified in at arriving at it. He could not help thinking that the prisoner had made more use of violence than he had admitted in his confession. He was sentenced to ten years penal servitude.