On the previous Sunday night after being kept awake by the baby crying,
Turnbull had beaten his wife so badly she had fled from the house too
frightened to return. For the next few days he had drunk constantly leaving the
children to fend for themselves. Sarah an intelligent child had looked after
the other children like a mother, but after not sleeping for nearly a week
Turnbull full of drink snapped and attacked the children. On 12th November 1919
John George Turnbull 45 years old appeared before Durham Assizes charged with
murder, where 12 year old Sarah would have to live through the nightmare again.
Sarah told the jury how she woke up to see her stepfather grab her brother
Tommy and pour medicine down his throat trying to quieten him down but Tommy
was wriggling around and her stepfather slashed Tommy's throat then slowly cut
through his neck. Sarah then told the jury He chucked the head down against the
fender and then turned to us and said he would cut our heads off as well. We
buried our heads under the pillows while my brother Matty stood up and prayed
for him not to kill us.
My father then cut me on the hand, although it is better now. The children's
mother then gave evidence but all she said was Turnbull was fond of the boy, he
said Tommy was the best of the bunch. It is not understood why he did not kill
the other children, but Dr Hickey a psychiatrist gave evidence on his mental
state he said he was Stupid and not easily moved he also had thoughts about
cutting off peoples heads. While being questioned at the police station he
didn't seem to mind or care why he was there. The jury very quickly gave a
verdict of guilty due to insanity and the judge, Mr Justice Lawrence sentenced
him to be detained at His Majesty's pleasure.
