Collingwood Hilton Fenwick
26 year old Collingwood Hilton Fenwick was charged at Southwick Police-court with stabbing 19 year old Ellen Worsfold described as an 'unfortunate' (Victorian euphemism for a prostitute). The incident happened at about one o'clock in the morning on Thursday 15 November 1888. Worsfold met Fenwick in Westminster Bridge-road, and he accompanied her to her lodgings at 18 Ann's-place, Waterloo-road. After giving her half a crown presumably for her services he proceeded to stab her in the abdomen with a small penknife. Her cries for help alerted a young man named Jim Peters who lived in the next room Peters came to her aid and they both chased after Fenwick who had rapidly fled the scene of the crime. Peters managed to catch up with Fenwick in Tower-street, Waterloo-road and bravely held him until the arrival of plain-clothes constable Bettle who took the man into custody. Jim Peters told the court that upon hearing the girls screams he came out of his room without stockings or boots and gave chase. When he confronted the man he was afraid to go too near him, because from what the girl told him believed he was encountering 'Jack the Ripper'. When Worsfold was examined by Dr Frederick W. Farr, at Kennington-road Police-station a wound half an inch long was discovered which had caused a great loss of blood. Though the wound was not believed to be serious, it would be a long time before it healed. When Fenwick was taken into custody it was said he had been drinking, he appeared to show genuine remorse for what he had done and nearly fainted when the doctor gave his evidence as to the extent of the injury caused to Ellen Worsfold. He said 'I have made a great fool of myself. I have made a mistake which will be a warning to me for a long time to come'. It was stated Fenwick had previously been of good character and though in no occupation at that time was a man of independent means.
