'ere's a difficult question

[A.P. Wolf]

Why would Thomas Cutbush have punched Gilbert Cooper in the face while they were socialising in the 'court' at Broadmoor?

[Robert Linford]

AP, have a look at Arthur Edgar Gilbert Cooper in October 1887. Curate who murdered a vicar. Seemingly one or two hymns short of a book. His trial was supposed to be mid November but I haven't seen it yet.

He might be our man.

[Robert Linford]

Here he is, Daily News, Nov 16th. A dangerous man to punch!

[A.P. Wolf]

Is it not true to suggest, Robert, that Gilbert Cooper was being seduced by the vicar's wife, and having course with her, and she encouraged the 'child' - as she described him at 34 - to murder the poor old soul?
When Thomas punched Gilbert, I think he was punching uncle Charles.
For he was that child.

[Robert Linford]

I'll have to ponder that one, AP.

[A.P. Wolf]

Wise decision, Robert.
Mrs Farley admitted that she had kissed mad Gilbert.
But Gilbert only went mad when she kissed him.
Gilbert killed a man for the love of a woman.
Cutbush killed a woman for loving his mother.
You can tell I've been drinking.

[Robert Linford]

Don't worry, AP. Cutbush wasn't his own grandpa - that's the main thing.

[A.P. Wolf]

I'm out of me cups now, Robert, so I'll answer me own question.
Gilbert Cooper was formly an assistant master at a boy's school in Godalming where he developed the unfortunate habit of attacking and assaulting the young boys, eventually being run out of the school.
Thomas Cutbush protected young boys didn't he?
He didn't like bullies.
Peter Pan as a serial killer?

[Robert Linford]

Was this the curate, AP?

[A.P. Wolf]

The court admitted such evidence in the Norwich trial in November of 1887, Robert, as a letter from the master of the school in Godalming.
So, yes, Thomas would have seen Gilbert as a bully.

[Robert Linford]

AP, I think I've identified Denny, another man punched by Thomas. Black and from Barbados, Joseph Denny was a recidivist and was once caught trying to break back into Dartmoor. Sentenced and then removed from Dartmoor to Broadmoor (where he was in the 91 census) he was later released but was soon convicted of another crime and sent to Winchester.

[A.P. Wolf]

'e's a funny one, Robert, this Joseph Denny.
He's the only bloke I've ever found being done at the Old Bailey for breaking out of a house that he had burgled.
I'm jiggered if I can find his 1881 OB trial though?

[Robert Linford]

AP, they reported the sentencing in Feb but probably not the trial, since he pleaded Guilty.

[Natalie Severn]

AP, I think I've identified Denny, another man punched by Thomas. Black and from Barbados, Joseph Denny was a recidivist and was once caught trying to break back into Dartmoor. Sentenced and then removed from Dartmoor to Broadmoor (where he was in the 91 census) he was later released but was soon convicted of another crime and sent to Winchester.

Sounds like Thomas may have been following Uncle Charles in terms of hitting out at people who were outside his cultural, racial or religious network.

[A.P. Wolf]

Interesting that Thomas' properties in Fieldgate were connected to a charitable home for small boys founded by his grandfather.