During the war, the family’s home was bombed three times – one of these raids brought the house crumbling down around Bentley, allegedly causing him another serious head wound. By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions.

Simply scroll down to make a one-off donation or for full details of the various payment methods you can use. He went on to say that Bentley's case also involved the issue of the police force, since it was a police officer who was killed. It starts as the story of a conventional war-child, but then becomes the story of a woman determined to clear her brother's name. Her daughter, Maria Bentley-Dingwall, who was born 10 years after Derek Bentley's execution, continued the campaign after her mother's death.It was on the evidence of four words - "Let him have it" - that 19-year-old Derek Bentley was sent to the gallows in 1953. It was on the evidence of four words - Let him have it - that 19-year-old Derek Bentley was sent to the gallows in 1953.

In the 2013 novel The Late Scholar by Jill Paton Walsh, the character Peter Wimsey notes that the Bentley case has reduced the support for capital punishment. Hanging Judge: The cruel judge who sentenced Derek to death, despite him not being a killer, being mentally challenged, and being in custody at the time the death occurred. After his release he married, had children, became a plumber, and became a productive member of society. She sometimes seems to miss the relevance of facts - she dwells longer on irrelevant detail than on the more important parts of her life. Improbable Aiming Skills: The defense argues that, as Craig had sawed off his revolver's barrel to about three inches, leaving a large jag that would send any bullet flying off randomly and having to make do with whatever ammo he could find and fit in the chambers, accuracy would be next to impossible, but it would be possible to hit something he wasn't aiming for, and thus PC Miles' death should be ruled manslaughter.After exhausting his ammunition and being cornered, Craig jumped 30 feet (10 metres) from the roof onto a greenhouse, fracturing his spine and left wrist, and had to remain in hospital.