James Duffy

James Duffy was convicted of the murder of his girlfriend Ellen Newman 25 and sentenced to death.

He strangled her at 4 Back Durham Street, Sunderland on Sunday, 6 September 1903.

Ellen Newman had married in 1896 but had separated from her husband in June 1902 after which she went to live with James Duffy as his wife at 29 Windsor Terrace, Grangetown, Sunderland. They lived there from June 1902 until 12 November 1902 on which date James Duffy assaulted Ellen Newman, cutting her throat and then his own.

James Duffy was charged at the following January Quarter Sessions for wounding her and attempting to commit suicide and was committed to prison for a month with hard labour.