The Lady With No Hands - The Horrifying Case of Agnes Rhodes Wildman (1923)

Amid a deathly silence, the crowd that filled the gallery within the Crown Court at the Manchester Assizes all waited with baited breath as to what sentence would ultimately be handed down to perhaps one of the most callous and cold hearted men to ever stand in front of his Lordship, Mr. Justice Branson.

With great indignation and under deep emotion, Mr. Branson began his passing down of his sentence.

“The story we have just heard is the most horrible to which I have ever listened – a cold, calculated and fiendish attempt to be avenged upon your wife through this unfortunate little girl. I am afraid no punishment that I can inflict upon you is adequate for your crime, but there is a maximum I can give, and I intend to give it. The sentence of the court is that you go to penal servitude for life.”

And with these damning words, 32 year old, John Whalley would be led from the dock and sent to the waiting cells down below.