The Toxteth Baby Murder

A Toxteth mother who killed her baby then attempted suicide was found guilty but insane and detained at Her Majesty's pleasure.

On the night of 21st August 1899 Bridget Doyle, who was 27 years old and lived in Stanhope Street put her four children, which included a five week old baby daughter named Ellen to bed. She then began praying fervently in an apparent state of religious mania.

Bridget remained praying until 4am then took a bread knife and cut baby Ellen's throat, killing her instantly. She then attempted to cut her own throat and her eight year old son John, having been awoken by the commotion, bravely took the knife and ran into the court to raise the alarm.

Inspector Clingan from Essex Street police station was the first officer on the scene and he found a pitiful state inside the court dwelling. There was no food, hardly any furniture and Ellen's body lay on a pile of rags with blood splattered all over the floorboards. Bridget was lying on the floor in an insensible state but still alive and an ambulance was called to take her to the Royal Southern Hospital where her wound was stitched up.

The three other children were taken to the Toxteth workhouse, while Ellen's body was taken to the Princes dock mortuary. Neighbours told the press that Bridget had appeared rational in recent days but her husband James, a labourer, had not been seen for some time. Police traced him to a lodging house in David Street and he identified the body. A post mortem found that the cut had been so deep that the spinal cord was severed.

On 24th August the inquest was opened and adjourned but a week later Bridget remained in a state of delirium in hospital. John told the coroner Mr Sampson how he was woken by his mother screaming that the devil was coming to get her. Bridget's sister Mary Rowlands said how she had confided in her that she believed she was going mad. in summing up Mr Sampson told the jury that they were not there to judge the state of mind and that the only verdict they could return was one of wilful murder.

Bridget was well enough to appear before the Deputy Stipendiary Magistrate Mr Kinghorn on 27th October, where was flanked in the dock by two female warders and Dr Price from Walton gaol. she was committed for trial at the assizes, where she appeared before Justice Kennedy on 1st December at St George's Hall.

Dr Price gave an account of her mental state on her arrival at the gaol. He described how she had to be restrained and that she was 'raving' and trying to open the scar on her throat. She remained like this for five days before remaining silent for two weeks. Consequently he was of the opinion that Bridget was not fit to plead and this was backed up by Dr Wigglesworth from the Rainhill asylum.

As a result of the medical evidence, Bridget was found guilty but insane,and ordered to be kept in custody at the pleasure of Her Majesty.