Pottery Cottage murders



The Pottery Cottage murders took place in Eastmoor, Chesterfield in January 1977, when William Thomas Hughes escaped from custody whilst being transferred from prison to court where he was facing charges of rape and grievous bodily harm. He stabbed two prison officers during his escape and then took five members of a local family hostage, only one of whom survived.

Hughes was shot dead by police marksmen after a high-speed, multiple-vehicle pursuit; he was the first person to be shot dead by Derbyshire Constabulary and the first prison escapee to be shot dead in the United Kingdom in modern times.

Chief inspector Peter Howse was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct for his role in apprehending Hughes and saving the life of the survivor. The Prison Service were strongly criticised for systemic failures that prevented them from correctly assessing the danger Hughes had on society; no charges were made against individuals.

Podcasts
Podcasts who cover this:
 * True Crime Couple: Episode 73: The Pottery Cottage Massacre | A Bloodbath in the Snow
 * They Walk Among Us: Season 2 - Episode 16