Frank Fowler

Frank Fowler was convicted of the murder of 19-year-old Ivy Dora Prentice and sentenced to death.

He shot her at The White Horse Hotel, Market Deeping on 23 September 1922.

Ivy Prentice had married three days earlier, and it was thought that Frank Fowler had been jealous and had hoped that it would have been him that married her.

Frank Fowler had been a labourer and helped his aunt run a small farm at Langtoft near Market Deeping.

Ivy Prentice had been the daughter of the licensee of the White Horse Hotel in Market Deeping. Her mother described her as a bright girl with a smile for everyone and she seemed to have had many friends and admirers among her mother's customers.

Frank Fowler had been a frequent visitor at the White Horse and appeared to have formed an attachment for Ivy Prentice, however, it was not reciprocated.

For about two years Ivy Prentice had been keeping company, although not formerly engaged, with a hairdresser, and in March 1921, when it was announced that they were going to get married, Frank Fowler appeared to have been chaffed by some of the White Horse customers with having been cut out by Ivy Prentice.

Frank Fowler seemed to have resented that, and on one occasion said to Ivy Prentice, whilst taking his hat off:

He was said to have then gone out, but to then return, and say to her:

On 20 September 1921 Ivy Prentice was married to the hairdresser.

On 25 September 1921, Ivy Prentice's mother was to also be married, and on 23 September 1921 her wedding presents were spread out in a private room at the White Horse.

Frank Fowler called at the White Horse about 6pm on 23 September and had some drink, and he called again about 8.30pm and had some more drink, however, it wasn't suggested that he had been at all drunk or had had too much.

He had had no gun on him at the time.

About 9.20pm Ivy Prentice's mother, Ivy Prentice and another daughter and one or two others had been in the back room viewing presents. Suddenly the door opened and Frank Fowler fired a gun at Ivy Prentice, hitting her in the left breast, breaking her ribs and destroying all the structures.

Frank Fowler then pointed the gun at Ivy Prentice's mother, but she sprang forward and seized it, causing the gun to go off, but with the charge passing over her shoulder and going through the window.

Frank Fowler then said:

He was then seized by customers who rushed in from the bar.

Frank Fowler then said:

As well as saying:

At his trial the only defence was one of insanity, however, there was very little evidence in support of it. The Prison Medical Officer, who had had Frank Fowler under observation for many weeks, said that it was clear that he was quite normal and showed no signs whatever of insanity.

Frank Fowler appealed his conviction, his defence claiming that the judge had not noted during his summing up that there was more evidence to show insanity than sanity. It was noted there were similarities between the case and that of Ronald True. However, the judge rejected the appeal, noting that the case of Ronald True was hardly a model for imitation.

The police report noted that the motive for the murder was clearly jealousy and that there was no reason whatever to think that Frank Fowler was insane, or even mentally unstable.

Frank Fowler was executed along with George Robinson at Lincoln Gaol on 13 December 1922.