JOHN STRAFREN: BATH'S INFAMOUS CHILD-KILLER AND LONG-TERM INMATE IN THE UK

John Straffen, born in 1930, remains one of the most notorious figures in the history of criminal justice in the United Kingdom. His early life was marred by behavioral issues and academic difficulties, which culminated in a series of disturbing incidents that would define his criminal trajectory.

As a young boy growing up in Bath, Straffen exhibited troubling tendencies, including theft and truancy. His behavioral problems escalated when, at the age of 10, he was transferred to a specialized school for children considered to be developmentally challenged. The situation worsened in 1947 when he assaulted a child, an act that led to his commitment to a mental health institution for treatment and observation.

Following his release in February 1951, Straffen's violent tendencies resurfaced with deadly consequences. By August of that year, he had murdered two young girls, Brenda Goddard and Cicely Batstone, both only five years old, in the town of Bath. Straffen later claimed that his motive was simply to provoke the police, a chilling indication of his disturbed mindset.

In October 1951, Straffen appeared before a court in Taunton, where he was deemed unfit to stand trial due to his mental state. Consequently, he was transferred to Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric facility. His time at Broadmoor was marked by further incidents, including an escape in April 1952. Although he was recaptured later that same day, he had managed to murder another young girl, Linda Bowyer, during his brief freedom. Her body was discovered the following day in a field near Broadmoor.

During police interrogations, Straffen inadvertently implicated himself by stating, “I did not kill the little girl on the bicycle,” prior to any questioning about her murder, revealing his awareness of his crimes. His mental state was again scrutinized, and in July 1952, he appeared at Winchester Crown Court, where he pleaded not guilty. Despite his plea, the court found him competent to stand trial, and he was convicted of murder and sentenced to death.

However, an appeal was lodged against his sentence, and a reprieve was granted, sparing his life. Instead of execution, Straffen was returned to Broadmoor to serve out his life sentence. Over the years, he became known as the longest-serving prisoner in the UK, remaining in continuous custody from April 23, 1952, until his death.

John Straffen died behind bars at Broadmoor on November 19, 2007, at the age of 77. His life story remains a grim chapter in the annals of British criminal history, marked by early behavioral issues, multiple murders, and a lifetime of incarceration.