Arthur Birkett

Arthur Birkett was convicted of the murder of his ex-girlfriend Alice Beetham 18 and sentenced to death.

He cut her throat at Jubilee Mill in Gate Street, Blackburn on 20 May 1912.

They were both weavers at Jubilee Mill and just after breakfast he followed her into the mill and then grabbed her from behind slashing her throat with a razor.

He had bought the razor earlier in the morning on 20 May 1912 from a saddlers at 23 Higher Eaman in Blackburn. The saddler said that Arthur Birkett came in between 8.10am and 8.15am and said, 'I want a razor about one and three'. The saddler said that he went to the showcase and got a box of razors and handed him one and then handed him another saying, 'It is a very good one, it is hollow ground'. The saddler said that Arthur Birkett chose one and said, 'This will do', and handed him half a crown and he gave him a shilling change and put the razor into a case and said that Arthur Birkett then left the shop going off in the direction of Jubilee Mill.