Francois Monteau

1890
August 27th: Francois MONTEAU (51)
Newgate
Monteau was a Belgian immigrant who worked as a cabinet maker in Marylebone. He was friendly with several Belgians in the area, one of whom was a Francois de Grave. Monteau had been living with his Belgian girlfriend, Marion Du Pond, since her arrival in 1887. They had a happy relationship until the end of May 1890. v hen she left him and went to stay at the same house as De Grave. Monteau became very angry and decided to kill her if she wouldn't return to him. On 28 May. he bought a gun and arranged to meet her in Leicester Square. They talked for a while and then she returned home. Later that day. Monteau called at the house to see her and was told by De Grave that she wasn't home. He asked De Grave to come outside. and when he did so, Monteau shot him dead. He was tried before Mr Justice Grantham at the Old Bailey and pleaded that the gun had gone off accidentally after someone had caught his arm. The judge said that an example must be made of people firing guns in public and sentenced him to death. Hanged by Berry.