Gertrude O’Leary ran an off-licence in Thomas Street, Stokes Croft, Bristol, but she was celebrated as much for the flashy jewellery she wore as for her local ales. It caused rumours to be spread about the neighbourhood that she had hidden wealth, and it was almost certainly those rumours that attracted her killer.

No one saw him enter the off-licence during the afternoon of JUNE 30th, 1949. He strangled her, then hit her at least 20 times, but made off with only her watch and a pendant worth about £25.

A man acting suspiciously in the neighbourhood the day before was described as tanned, slim, between 45 to 50 years old and about 5ft 6in tall. He was never found and neither was the murderer.