Derek Bentley

 Derek Bentley was hanged in 1953. The unfortunate man was granted a posthumous pardon in 1998. It was a tragic case. This YouTube video forensically examines the statement supposedly made by Mr Bentley to the police. 

Haigh is hanged

 On 10 August the murderer John George Haigh was hanged in Wandsworth prison in London. Haigh killed 6 people and dissolved the bodies in acid. Haigh asked for a trial hanging, to make sure everything went OK. The request was refused but Haigh need not have worried, his execution proceeded without fault. 

The Great Train Robbery

 The Great Train Robbery took place on 8 August 1963. It was a notorious crime where the robbers held up a train and stole a vast amount of money. This YouTube video explains it all. 

Martha Tabram

 On 7 August 1888 Martha Tabram was murdered in the East End of London. The unfortunate woman was stabbed repeatedly. Some people think she was the first victim of the notorious serial killer Jack the Ripper. 

Last woman executed in Sweden

 On 7 August 1890, Anna Mansdotter became the last woman to be executed in Sweden. She was convicted of killing her daughter-in-law. She was beheaded with an axe.

The First Man Executed in the Electric Chair

 On 6 August 1890, William Kemmler became the first man to be executed in the electric chair. The first woman executed in the electric chair was Martha Place in 1899.

Dr William Palmer

 The famous Staffordshire poisoner William Palmer was born on 6 August 1824. In 1856 Palmer was convicted of poisoning his friend with strychnine and sentenced to death. On the gallows, he is supposed to have said 'are you sure this damn thing's safe?' (a very doubtful story!) Palmer was dubbed 'The Prince of Poisoners' and is believed to have poisoned up to 15 people.