The Daily Records reveals the Crimes of Passion that have shocked the country over the last 200 years from the 1850’s to the present.
(Image: UGC)
The Scottish Law Commission has called for changes in Scotland’s homicide laws to prevent people accused of murdering their partner claiming a ” Crime of Passion “.
Crimes of Passion have featured in some of Scotland and Britain’s most notorious criminal cases over the last 200 years. In 1857 Glasgow socialite Madeleine Smith was cleared of poisoning her French lover PIerre Emile L’Angelie who was ten years her senior and had threatened to expose their torrid two year affair.
In a case that shocked the country intimate details of their steamy sexual relationship were read out in court.
Madeline Smith and Pierre Emile L’Angelier(Image: No Name)
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In 1963, 21-year-old Henry Burnett became the last man hanged in Scotland when he was convicted of murdering Thomas Guyan, the husband of his lover Margaret Guyan.
The pair had met while working in an Aberdeen fish factory and Margaret left her husband to set up home with Burnett in the city. However when Margaret returned to Thomas, Burnett shot him dead in a jealous rage. Because the murder involved a firearm Burnett like Ellis was sentenced to death. Two years later capital punishment was abolished.
Henry Burnett on Daily Record front page 1963(Image: Dominic Cocozza)
In 2006 Dumfries police sergeant John Kelly was jailed for 10 years for trying to saw his ex-wife’s head off in a failed murder bid. Kelly had attacked primary school teacher Audrey McDowall the previous year in the street. He rammed her car, then took a 12-inch saw to her throat, leaving a huge slash wound.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard that the spark for the events that led to the attempted murder was his wife’s affair and their recent divorce after 20 years marriage.
John Kelly(Image: PA)