Too Drunk to Hang? The Brutal 1909 Murder That Changed British Law

Too Drunk to Hang? The Brutal 1909 Murder That Changed British Law
News of the Times | Episode 572 |1909
In this gripping true crime episode, we head to the shadowy backstreets of Edwardian Leeds to uncover the harrowing case of Thomas Mead, a gasworker whose drunken, brutal attack on his partner Clara Howell shocked the nation — and forever altered British legal history.

When Mead claimed he was “too drunk to form intent,” the courts were faced with a pressing question: can murder be excused by drink?
The result? A landmark ruling in R v Mead (1909) that helped close a long-abused legal loophole — the so-called drink defence.

Was it rage? Was it the bottle? Or was it the end of the line for “I didn’t mean to” as a courtroom strategy?

🕰️ Join us as we explore:
A chilling crime scene concealed with old rugs
A killer who couldn't stop confessing — with increasing bravado
And a court case that became a legal turning point for crimes committed under the influence

🔍 Plus — in today's Further Particulars:
A moonlit walk, a suspiciously firm handshake, and the most humiliating proposal in County Durham.
Yes, it’s the Victorian romance that wasn’t — featuring Gentle Johnny, one “fine-looking girl,” and a final twist that left the whole village howling. Bring your own shawlet.

📌 Like, subscribe, and share with that one friend who hoards Edwardian newspaper clippings and corrects courtroom dramas for fun.
Help us thwart the YouTube algorithm — which, much like Thomas Mead, doesn't take criticism well unless it’s delivered with numbers.

👀 Still not tired of true crime with a historical twist?
Join us on Patreon for daily ad-free drops, over 750 episodes, and enough vintage scandal to make your great-aunt blush: patreon.com/newsofthetimes

🕯️ News of the Times
Presented by Robin Coles —
Assistant Keeper of the Gavel Wax,
Deputy Sub-Inspector of Improper Bonnets,
and Honorary Secretary to the Society for the Prevention of Overly Dramatic Elopements.

📅 New episodes: Monday, Wednesday & Friday

❤️ Support Independent History
If you enjoy our ad-free, archive-based storytelling, help us keep the lantern lit:

👉 **Patreon** – Full archive, early access, bonus compilations (and it keeps us independent):
https://www.patreon.com/NewsOfTheTimesHistoricalCrime

☕ Prefer a one-off thank-you? We LOVE a posh coffee indulgence! We tip our top hats:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

Hear about our ad-free archive on Patreon – 650+ episodes and counting! 🎩 https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime

Fancy a chuckle between corpses? Discover our first lovingly illustrated volume of wildly unreliable memoirs.

Grab it here: https://ko-fi.com/s/b406f6f11e

Support us on Patreon for ad-free early access and exclusive bonus episodes.

https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at [e-mail]
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd