Henry Skinnerton
On 21 October 1888 Henry Skinnerton, described as 50 years of age and a labourer, of High Street, Chingford, was charged with assaulting Henry Corney, and with wilfully breaking 25 panes of glass, the property of John Cricks, of High Road, Woodford. The damage caused was estimated at £1.
The assault happened at about 20 minutes to eleven on Sunday evening. Corney was returning home, accompanied by a friend, when Skinnerton, for no apparent reason, seized Corney by the throat and exclaimed, 'I am Jack the Ripper, I killed the women in Whitechapel, and one in Hatton gardens'. Skinnerton then ran away, but was chased by Corney and his friend. After a long chase, Skinnerton got as far as the rear of Mr Cricks house, it was hear that the panes of glass were broken. Skinnerton had jumped upon a lean-to and smashed a quantity of glass in the fan light. After a struggle, he was removed to the police station. Skinnerton, it was said, had previously been of good character. The magistrate ordered him to pay a fine of 2s 6d and also the costs of the proceedings, 20s, in all amouting to a total of £1.12s, or in default go to prison for 14 days with hard labour.
