| Jack the Ripper: A Suspect Guide |
This text is from the E-book Jack the Ripper: A Suspect Guide by Christopher J. Morley (2005). Click here to return to the table of contents. The text is unedited, and any errors or omissions rest with the author. Our thanks go out to Christopher J. Morley for his permission to publish his E-book.
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A 31 year old ship's fireman, John Hill, was charged with assault and intent to ravish Elizabeth Tilley, a widow of respectable appearance who earned her living as a laundress. The incident occurred in Old Brunswick Road, 10 March 1891, at about 9 p.m. Tilley was returning from a house near the East India Docks, where she had been working, and was making her way home to Bromley, when from a darkened passage-way appeared Hill. He seized her and threw her to the ground, which was covered in snow. She made two attempts to stand, but was thrown back onto the ground on each occasion. On her third attempt, he fell with her, and proceeded to place his fingers inside her mouth to stop her from screaming, telling her that, Jack (meaning Jack the Ripper) had got her. He then threatened to use his knife against her if she was not quite. After a struggle, Tilley managed to escape his clutches and ran down the street, until she fortunately encountered Police Constable 61 KR, who immediately began a search of the area, and quickly located Tilley's attacker in a court yard near to where the assault had occurred. After much violent resistance, Hill, was taken to the police station. The officer was praised for his swift action, and the jury found Hill guilty, though sentencing was postponed until the medical officers had had an opportunity to see him.
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