Man, 18, found guilty of killing his lover who was also his uncle’s wife

The Sunday Post reported on high drama after a young woman was found dead in September 1925.

“Lad’s Astounding Narrative of Last Meeting in Wood: Pathetic Scenes in Court,” read the headlines above the article.

“Extraordinary revelations concerning the love affair of a girl-wife with her husband’s young nephew were made at the inquest yesterday on Mrs Beryl Thornton, who was

found strangled in Ken Wood, one of London’s beauty spots,” it read.

“Arthur Kopsch (18), who is charged with her murder, in a statement read in court, told of his nocturnal meetings with her, and alleged that her husband permitted the relations. He averred that she asked him to strangle her while she was asleep, and gave details of the deed, which thrilled and shocked the court.

“Amid silence that

became almost oppressive, a sensational statement made by Kopsch was read.”

In his statement, Kopsch claimed that Mrs Thornton had asked him to choke her as a way out getting out of her unhappy marriage.

The killing and subsequent verdict raised questions of mental illness and whether it was any defence in law. However, Kopsch’s excuse was dismissed in court and he was found guilty of murder.