by Harry Nankin
It was a shady affair not as it was supported by many locals but those who did were the gentry.
Many of whom were magistrates who was to say anything?”
The local police were officially supposed to enforce the law but in reality with all the crime and reduced budgets, foxes were at the lower end of their priorities.
When officers were giving evidence in the local court and relying upon the judgement of magistrates, in the real world it was wheels within wheels, so to speak.
In the absence of the Colonel and his lady, pride of place was afforded to a daughter Lydia Crampton. Herself a fine horse woman, or so it was reported.
Royal connections even with a Princess not to mention various lords and ladies were the local gossip.
The sherry drunk, the hounds titillated, the hunt set off at a brisk tempo.
It was an hour later when lady Lydia Crampton was found lying in Dansons Wood, her horse standing nearby.
The poor maiden lay lifeless when her cousin Rose Madeline Crampton entered the clearing in the wood, in pursuit of cousin Lydia.
The hounds in full cry it had been every man or woman for themselves to keep up in the hope of being present at the kill.
As she approached and seeing the jet black gelding standing alone poor Rose saw her cousin lifeless on the floor.
Reaching for her mobile phone she called an ambulance and next the hunt master.
On arrival the ambulance crew contacted the police. Inspector Pearson and several uniformed officers attended the scene.
The deceased identified by one Rose Crampton as being that of her cousin Lydia of Crampton Hall. The deceased was aged 31 years of age, born in the year 1982. She was small in stature, standing about five feet four inches, very slim. She had bright red ginger hair as did the Colonel, her father.
A very keen horse rider of many years standing.
It seemed that the death was accidental for above where she was lying there was a long thin branch of a tree stretching across her path.
When measured by the police it was consistent with being at a height where the deceased riding flat out in full cry would have struck it, thus knocking her from her horse.
The body when examined by the paramedics at the scene indicated a broken neck.
They exhibited to police officers at the scene that the head revolved nearly 360 degrees, a sure sign of a broken neck
As yet there was no apparent bruising,
A check at the scene revealed no other injures.
The body was then transported to Chester City hospital.
The Coroner was informed at home and authorised a post mortem examination the following day.
Jack stopped, hesitating from his reading, he rose momentarily, and then walked around the room stretching his legs and resting his eyes.
On returning, he read on with interest, “was this then the first accidental death?”
Picking up the file he read on
Professor Hallam carried out a post-mortem. The only but fatal injury to the body of Miss Crampton was that of a broken neck. This was as anticipated
What had not been anticipated was the additional comment of Professor Hallam in that the neck now showed very severe bruising across the front.
Once the Coroner’s officer Constable Jock Peters had reported this, Pearson and his sergeant had again visited the scene, taking a closer look.
As a result it was decided to consult one Mr Bret Chambers. A retired sergeant who, having served in the Special Air Service, had become an expert in survival techniques.
Mr Chambers had visited the scene and made a close examination of the area. He immediately discovered marks upon the branch of the tree branch which indicated it had been tied back.
A series of tests were carried out, the result being that it was clear that prior to the so-called accident the tree branch had been pulled aside, then tied.
There were traces that a trip wire had been used.
The result was that as Miss Crampton had ridden past the tree, her horse had struck the trip wire. This had released the branch which had swung at speed striking the rider across the throat with devastating and fatal consequences.
In reality, a man trap had been set and Miss Crampton had set this off and received a fatal blow across the front of the throat.
The case was reclassified from accidental death to that of Murder.
Brett Chambers was satisfied that the technique was not unusual in the armed forces and by those trained in the art of survival. It was also common to see such a trap set for wild animals in Africa and in the Middle East.
Marks found upon the branch were consistent with having been tied back with the strong but thin wire recovered from the near the scene.
Footprints were discovered at the scene but could not be connected due to the numbers of members of the emergency services who had attended The impression was simply flat.
Detective Inspector Pearson had made further enquiries at Crampton Hall amongst its staff.
A Mister Tom Forest, the local game keeper was interviewed and stated that he had been in the woods that day ensuring trespassers were not there to obstruct the hunt. He had in fact only seen three persons. Nora Thomas walking her dog; Ted Miles was seen running in the woods as was his regular routine. The third person was Jessop the Butler also out walking.
The enquiry had thus far advanced no further, the staff seemingly cleared. None in any event appeared to have any motive for such a horrendous crime. Certainly there was no financial gain apparent. For, the estate fell to the sons in order of birth. The death of a daughter held no immediate reasoning.
Back-ground checks locally revealed no scandal or gossip against the deceased. She appeared to live a quiet peaceful existence, no record of debt nor any traumatic love affairs.
Pearson found himself with a blank sheet as to reasons or motive. The death just seemed a pointless waste of life.
There remained no motive whatsoever for the death of this young lady. To all intents and purposes it was either murder by mistaken identity of done without motive or any hop of gain.
The mystery had only deepened.
December the 27th 2012
The following day the family and staff once again in deep mourning were joined by two cousins
A Miss Liza Macdonald and Leanne Carr, arriving to give support to what remained of the family.
The house in mourning the family and staff wearing black it was therefore with some surprise that when the household awakened the cousins Macdonald and Carr hearing a banging noise looked through their bedroom window when they saw their cousin Rupert Crampton working on his vintage sports car.
Although accepting he was an enthusiast and possibly in shock and requiring a distraction it was nevertheless thought as rather undignified.
They washed, dressed and arrived for Breakfast. They were joined by Charles Crampton a younger member of the family.
Rupert failed to show and it was not until Linda Gibson the local post girl arrived. Being off duty over Christmas she was a keen horse rider and often visited Crampton Hall as a part time stable maid and groom.
They heard her diesel Land Rover pull up and stop, this was followed by screams causing the breakfasters to rise and look though the window. They witnessed the devastating sight of seeing Mister Rupert lying still.
His car lying upon his chest. They all ran to the scene but he appeared dead,
Help came in the mode of Miles the handy man who ran from a nearby building attempting to raise the car Jack but was unable to do so. Another was brought by Mister Charles from his car. He and Miles were then able to raise the stricken sports car from off Mr Rupert.
Miles gave what assistance he could including, mouth to mouth resuscitation but Rupert failed to respond.
An ambulance was called but although Rupert was removed to hospital he was pronounced dead on arrival by Doctor Khan the casualty officer at Chester hospital.
The scene was visited by I
nspector Pearson the local uniform sergeant and on this occasion Superintendent Jinton.
Clearly from enquiries made at the scene it appeared the death was accidental, through failure of the Jack. Pearson had recalled that at least Mr Rupert had taken his advice and refrained from using bricks. The advice was it seems insufficient.
The vehicle jack was however seized and sent for examination.
A post-mortem was carried out again by Professor Hallam who announced death had been caused by compression of the chest cavity when the car lay upon it.
It was some days later when the Forensic Science Laboratory contacted Detective Inspector Pearson that they had discovered the jack had in fact also been sabotaged.
It was discovered that a compression part, a small but vital rubber grummet had been removed. This had resulted in the jack working for some minutes but then had failed and suddenly dropped.
As a result the case had been reclassified as suspicious and in fact recorded as murder.
The family and staff were interviewed at length, all being at the hall or around or near the scene prior to and at the time of the accident.
The village came to a standstill, the local farms were silent.
The village church was full to capacity as was the area outside.
The service being piped by loud speakers to mourners unable to enter the body of the building.
County Dignitaries and local business leaders attended the solemn and sad affair.
The only two immediate family members Emily and Charles Crampton appeared in full black regalia she including a black veil. The two hearse carriages and a massive cortège.
Absent from the ceremony was one Wilson Crampton still in Daram for security reasons but who had recorded a message of condolence and was received as very touching by all those present
The double funeral of the Crampton brother and sister, the latest victims in a bloody series of murders was to some degree a local major event. As for the locals viewing from a distance, it was later described as an attraction.
Behind the scene police enquiries had continued.
Nothing at the time of the last murder was reported as suspicious by any member or person against another.
There had been no visitors during the day before or that morning.
The case remained as mysterious as the previous deaths with no real cause, motive or suspect.
There was nothing to indicate the only remaining son living in the United kingdom was involved his only remaining and younger brother Wilson Crampton being in Daram many thousands of miles away and in any event he was wheelchair bound.
The remaining daughter Emily Crampton was herself to become a victim in August of this year.
Life continued on at the Hall without incident for some months. The burials done the, inquests held, the causes of the deaths but not the motive known. Neither had there been any arrests.
Pearson had scanned, checked, looked and listened but could find no motives for the deaths either from within the family, household or from without.
The case had stalled.
Saturday The 4th of May 2013
Emily Crampton had met her end whilst swimming in the river Dee so tragically and violently. Another case seemingly without motive or reason.
The police had investigated but once again there had been no solution
Saturday the 15th of June 2013
Jack now realising that it appeared that Pearson had done all he could as far as his experience would permit.
He picked up the telephone and rang the officer who said he would visit Jack forthwith. He kept to his word for within the hour he was once again seated. The conversation had only just begun when Pearson received a telephone call. the signal was poor he was obliged to walk outside.
Some minutes later he returned, he was sporting a broad smile.
“A breakthrough” said he”.
“What would that be?” asked Jack.
Pearson picking up his brief-case clearly did not intend to stay.
“There is a major protest at Crampton hall. A large crowd has gathered police are attending in force. It seems that it has been leaked that Charles Crampton has been negotiating the erection of wind farms and has applied for a large caravan site, not for tourists but amenity sites for travellers all to be done within the estate”.
“From reports of the officer in charge Super Jinton, the city council are supporting the idea of the itinerant site, for they are required to provide some. The planners are bound to agree if it is only for political reasons. It follows, so it is rumoured that once the caravan amenity sites are made this would reduce the area as a place of special natural interest and therefore there could be no objection to the wind farms”.
“The leak also states that this will bring in millions of pounds for Charles Crampton”.
“That seems strange” replied Jack. “I thought they were vastly rich”.
“Well” replied Pearson “who knows but this could be a break through perhaps if they are hard up the villain in all this is Charles Crampton. His parents and older brothers would never have agreed to it.”
“Well” replied Jack I have perused the papers and I did have another hypothesis”.
His words went unheard as Pearson now full of enthusiasm turned and left.
Jack sat on the chair, put his finger to his lips and thought, “I see, such is youth and desperation to clear up these things I will await the outcome with interest”.
Pearson meanwhile arrived at Crampton hall approaching the front gates, what a different atmosphere there was this day in contrast to the days of the Colonel.
Several hundred if not a thousand or more were thronged around the main entrance.
Placards displaying no wind farms, no caravans, no travellers among the many.
The atmosphere as Pearson could see through his windscreen as he approached looked hostile. The massive crowds were shouting abuse at the uniform officers sent in full riot gear to prevent them invading the estate grounds.
It didn’t take his years in the police to realise there was no way he would be permitted to enter.
He saw a field gate ahead so slowed; pull in to his left spun the car around and drove off from whence he had come.
At the far end of the road he turned left and stopped at the home of Miles the handyman.
Knocking on the door Miles answered. It was with surprise that Pearson saw a man with blackened face and bare footed standing at door.
“Hello Inspector” said Miles, “Oh I see you looking, sorry I am playing a game in the rear garden with the children. I heard you stop and I wondered if it was protestors or worse the media snooping around.
“Oh Heavens” replied Pearson. “I need to get inside the estate to the hall, the road is completely blocked. I dare not leave the police car unattended. It is unmarked but it would soon be recognised and probably nothing left of it. I was hoping to get your consent to park in your driveway”.
“By all means officer, please feel free to do so, if you will excuse me I have two rampant kids waiting”
Pearson smiled and Miles closed the door.
Securing the police car he climbed over a fence and made his way across the field, into the woods finally emerging outside the hall.
When he arrived at the rear door, all was locked and barred. Knocking failed to receive a response.
He walked to the front banged on the door. It was on this occasion answered by Jessop.
“Ah Inspector thank heavens it is you, we thought it was protestors, come in please".
Pearson walked in and through the house to the rear kitchen area.
Seated there was Charles Crampton, his cousins Liza, Leanne, Nora Thomas, the house maid and Tom the Gardener.
“Hello Inspector I say what can we do you for. Come to arrest us have you?”
Do not be so flippant” replied Leanne “we are about to be consumed by rioters due to you”.
“What the hell do you mean by that?
” replied Charles “for Christ’s sake all I have done is try to improve the income for the estate”
Looking at Jessop he added, “Jessop”
The Butler, hovering, was mumbling, “If only the Colonel was here now it would be shotguns out and clear away those people”.
“Do not be so stupid Jessop, for heavens sake man, remember you are British, stiff upper lip and all that.” Replied Crampton.
Pearson was now of the opinion he had made an error of judgement returning at this time.
With that there came another banging on the door, Jessop went and opened it.
There was talking and then into the kitchen walked Chief Superintendent Jinton accompanied by Mr Timothy Templeton, recognised by Pearson immediately from court appearances.
Jinton spoke; “I can announce the protestors have gone for time being at least. Mr Templeton has assured them only initial enquiries have been made and no formal application submitted. As a result they have dispersed. I suspect they will be back, eventually” he added.
Those present began to disperse; this was now Pearson’s chance.
“Mr Charles Crampton, may I please have a quiet word with you?”
“What about?” he asked.
“The murders of your family”. Said the officer.
“I had better stay I think?” replied Templeton, “it seems Mr Jinton I will be required for other matters in addition to assisting the police with crowd control and pacification”.
Jinton not knowing what was afoot made no reply but turned and left.
As he left Detective Sergeant Jonathon Gibson arrived together with a uniformed sergeant and two constables.
“Hello boss I wondered if we might be able to assist?”
“Yes, indeed” replied Dick Pearson “Sergeant would you please arrange for my car to be collected and brought over, I was forced to leave it with Mr Miles the handyman”.
“Indeed I will sir” replied the sergeant in uniform adding I will leave Phillips here” referring to one of his constables, “Outside the front door, just in case any protestors think of coming back.”