Jealous soldier murdered lover

Many miscreants across Kent met their end in the hangman’s noose at Maidstone Prison. Journalist and author re-tells crime stories in his series of books about William Calcraft, the county’s chief executioner who is thought to have dispensed with 400 peop

Dedea Redanies was a Serbian who signed up as a private in the British Swiss Legion to serve in the Crimean War and garrisoned at Shorncliff Camp, near Folkestone.

Nearby, at 5 Albion Place, Dover, were the Back family. John and Mary Back’s daughters Caroline, 19, and Maria, 17, were regular visitors to the garrison, having to pick up laundry items. It was during one of these visits that Redanies first spotted Caroline and decided she was just the kind of girl he would like to have on his arm. Twenty-six-year-old Redanies and Caroline soon began dating and Redanies was smitten; frequently writing loving letters and offering a portrait of himself. However, the course of true love rarely runs smoothly and, when the Crimean War ended, Redanies was transferred to Aldershot and it became more difficult for the couple to meet.

Nevertheless, Redanies was sure their enforced separation would not jeopardise their seven-month-long relationship - but his confidence took a huge knock when he saw Caroline walking out with an artilleryman. Although Caroline insisted the man was just a friend Redanies was heartbroken and angry - particularly as Caroline’s interest in him had begun to wane. Determined to salvage his relationship he turned up at the Backs’ home asking to see her. An amicable chat ensued before Caroline handed back his love letters and the portrait and insisted he leave as she was due to catch the 6.15am train to Folkestone the following morning. Caroline, at this time, was in poor health so Redanies suggested they instead meet up and walk the nine miles to Folkestone together and allow them time to discuss their relationship.

John and Mary Back were not keen on the idea, but Redanies suggested the early morning fresh air would be beneficial and her parents eventually agreed - on condition that Maria escorted them. Redanies returned at 3am to share breakfast with the family and all three seemed in good humour as they left at 5am.

Just three hours later, Folkestone carpenter Thomas Gurling arrived at a spot known as Steddy Hole, Capel-le-ferne, where he discovered Maria Back’s body. A few yards further on, Mr Gurling was further horrified to find Caroline’s lifeless body.

Both girls had multiple stab wounds and their clothes were soaked in blood. Each girl was still wearing their bonnets and gloves, but their silk capes were missing. It wasn’t long before Dedea Redanies became the prime suspect. The following day, police officer George Fryer’s attention was drawn to a young man acting in a strange manner as he approached Milton Chapel Farm on the road between Canterbury and Chartham.

As Fryer approached he was horrified to see the man pulling a knife from his breast before collapsing. Redanies, it appears, had attempted to end his life.

A local doctor was summoned to administer first aid and Redanies

Dedea Redanies drew this ture of him killing Caroline was transferred to Kent & Canterbury Hospital under police guard.

The murdered girls’ capes were found wrapped around his body beneath his clothing.

The next day a coroner’s inquest was held at The Royal Oak Inn, Hougham, where a distraught John Back identified the two capes as those having belonged to his

Maidstone Prison where Dedea Redanies was executed; right, an excerpt from the killer’s letter to the victims’ mother picdaughters. Maria had been stabbed four times in the chest, Caroline three times, also in the chest. Redanies, standing at 5ft 6in, was sporting a scruffy beard and moustache and wearing prison clothing bearing the words ‘Kent Gaol’ when he appeared at the Sessions House, Canterbury, before local magistrates.

Still weak from his self-inflicted injuries, he was carried into the room on a chair, his head supported by pillows. According to one newspaper correspondent he appeared ‘more dead than alive’. Redanies’ trial began on December 16, 1856, at Maidstone Assizes. He entered a plea of guilty to Caroline’s murder yet not guilty to Maria’s. Realising the difficulties in interpretation, the judge, Baron Bramwell, questioned this. He told Redanies that if he were to be found guilty of just one of the murders, he would have no option other than to pass The Sentence of Death.

He then offered Redanies another opportunity to plead not guilty to Caroline’s murder, but Redanies was in no mood to change his mind. “I have nothing to say,” he replied in German.

Redanies made no effort to defend himself in court, though Baron Bramwell appointed a volunteer to speak on his behalf. The advocate claimed Redanies was not right in his mind when he committed the murders, but the jury were not convinced and, on December 18, they returned after a short period of deliberation with a guilty verdict.

Redanies was taken to Maidstone Prison to await execution. In his cell Redanies passed the time drawing and produced a remarkable pair of drawings showing the sisters’ murders.

One picture bore the inscription ‘Farewell my dear Maryia – Dedea Redanies’. The other showed himself with Caroline with the knife lying on the ground and an angel in the sky. Underneath, Redanies had added the inscription: ‘Death of Caroline Back, from Dedea Redanies, of August 3, 1856. Farewell, my dear Caroline.’ On New Year’s Day, 1857, Redanies was led from his cell to the scaffold on the roof of the porter’s lodge at Maidstone Prison where William Calcraft was waiting. Redanies stood perfectly still, military straight and saluted Calcraft and surrendered himself for pinioning. According to one witness, he claimed: ‘In a few moments I shall be in the arms of my dear Caroline - I care not for death!’

The full version of this story features in Volume 7 -

The Poisoners and Crimes of Passion and can be bought as an ebook on Amazon for £3.99.