Throat Cut For Not Going Home

An Everton man who cut his partner's throat and then his own was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

On 24th May 1915 Arthur Atkins had a row with Mary Dolan, a woman with whom he cohabited with in Soho Street, leading her to going out to a pub. He went and found her but she refused to return home and he then saw her talking to two other men in Springfield. Atkins went up to them and told Mary to return to their home in Soho Street, but she again refused to do so and walked off. 

Atkins caught up with thirty year old Mary and cut her throat with a razor and then its own. Hearing the screams, a woman named Mrs Dunn came out of her home and saw that Mary was already dead, but Atkins was alive with blood pouring from a wound.

A police officer was called and he accompanied Atkins to the Royal Infirmary. When he came around he asked if Mary was dead and on being told that she was replied 'Oh my God that is terrible I will tell you everything.' He admitted that after the couple quarrelled he cut their throats on sudden impulse with a razor that he always carried in his pocket. 

Atkins remained in hospital for a month and on his discharge an inquest returned a verdict of wilful murder on 25th June. The thirty seven year old was then committed to the Manchester Assizes, where he appeared on 20th July. Due Atkins acting on impulse and under some provocation, the jury found him guilty of manslaughter and he was sentenced to penal servitude for twelve years.