07/01/2026
- On the 2nd January 1863, a 70 year old man from Oldbury was taken onto the gallows between the two imposing towers of the Worcestershire County Gaol in Castle Street. The Birmingham Daily Post described him as 'a hale old man of seventy, white headed, rosy-faced and kindly looking.' Reports say a cold wind was still blowing across from Pitchcroft Racecourse. The night before was cold, wet and stormy. Some people began to question if it was safe to proceed on the 2nd of January? A crowd, which eventually numbered thousands, began to gather in the early hours. Superintendent Philips of the County Police Force and Superintendent Powers of the City Police Force had mustered their men. As the Chapel bell tolled, Chaplain Adlington read his lines, 6 Javelin men stood in front of the gallows, with 6 Warders to the rear. The Governor, Mr Ben Stable, and the Under Sheriff, Mr Hyde oversaw the events taking place. Ex*****oner William Calcroft placed a hood over the man's head, secured restraints and placed a tight noose about his neck. One of the last sentences from the old man was 'I suppose I'm going now ain't I.' Shortly after, a lever was pulled and the man fell to his death. He was then taken down and buried near the West Wall within the Gaol grounds. The crowd then began to disperse. The old man was the first Ex*****on of the New Year, and the first in 8 years. By the end of that year, 21 people would also be executed at the County Gaol. However, all these other ex*****ons were held in private without the onlookers watching from Castle Street and Infirmary Walk! This would be the last public ex*****on at Worcester. Local papers said it was 'a harrowing spectical - a sight to make the heart sick.' They also expressed how the crowd was not boisterous, which was very unusual. The old man was William Ockold, tailor, who was tried at the Winter Assizes on the 13th December 1862. His offence was murdering his sick, 73 year old wife of almost 50 years, at their cottage in Halesowen Street, Oldbury. He sat in the dock, unmoved, throughout the trial. His wife Sophia may have been suffering from a Stroke or similar when the events unfolded. Witness Maria Grazebrook, from the George and Dragon Pub, saw the couple as Grand Parents. She visited the couple on the 7th November 1862 and noticed Sophia was unwell. In the early hours of 8th November, PC Hutchings heard an argument at the Ockold cottage. It was nothing unusual so the PC continued on his beat. William had beaten his wife throughout their marriage and both were strong drinkers. This time Sophia was either too frail or he had taken it too far. When Maria visited to check on Sophia, she found William sat sewing. His clothes blood stained. Maria, against William's wishes went upstairs and noticed blood and hair on the stairs! Sophia was found dead on the bed with head injuries amongst others. She confronted William, saying 'you old brute you've killed that old woman.' William denied killing her and stressed she was asleep. Maria fled to get help. Shortly after several people arrived including Mr Cooper, Surgeon, and Police Sergeant Simmons who made the arrest. At the Trial, it became apparent that William did not want her drinking with Jack Hadley and they argued. A broken mop handle was also shown as evidence of the violent argument that took place downstairs. Mr Justice Mellor concluded, saying 'Guilty of the dreadful crime of murdering your wife'. He placed on the infamous Black Cap upon his head and read out the death sentence. William sat unmoved and was then taken down to the holding cells. In the days that followed, William was held at the County Gaol before his ex*****on in 1863. Many people had pleaded mercy for William, including the Jury, and the Mayor of Worcester. Despite this, at 8.30 on the morning of 2nd January, the Under Sheriff, Mr Hyde, and entourage collected William from his Condemned Cell. He was talking with Chaplain, John Adlington. Newspapers reported his ex*****on as 'An old man killing his wife', and 'Murder at Oldbury.' By 1868 all public ex*****ons were banned in the UK. It is also worth remembering the last man Hanged privately in Worcester was Djang Djin Sung in 1919.
