The St Neots Poisoning Case

In October 1897, Northamptonshire born Annie Holmes moved to the sleepy market town of St Neots in Huntingdonshire, hoping to make a new start for herself and her three young children, but the following January she died of strychnine poisoning. A cousin of hers, Walter Horsford, was soon arrested for her murder. This is the first, full account of Annie Holmes’ death and the subsequent trial of Walter Horsford at Huntingdon Assizes. The court case and the aftermath for those involved are followed through in great detail, the facts of which have been gathered from extensive research using various sources including, Cambridgeshire library and museum records, contemporary newspaper accounts and Home Office files, with all facts and speeches taken from these contemporary reports.