Gwynne Evans

Gwynne Evans was one of the two last men hanged in Britain, along with his fellow murderer Peter Allen.

Life
Gwynne Owen Evans was born in 1940 in Cumberland. He dropped out of school at fifteen and worked temporarily as an engine cleaner for British Railways. In 1957 he was sent to Bristol after being given a supervision order. He later joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was dismissed twice.

In 1959, Evans joined the Royal Air Force but was dismissed four months later. He later came to know van driver John "Jack" West. Shortly after this, Evans was charged with theft of five shillings and sentenced to four days in prison. In the years to come, he would be charged with driving without a licence. He later met Peter Allen and became his lodger. The two of them committed multiple burglaries together, including the theft of a van. An incompetent attempt to cover up the number plate of the van led their arrest and fine of ten pounds. In order to pay the fine, Allen asked West for money. When he refused, Evans and Allen stole a car in order to drive to West's house. When they got there, Evans broke in alone and let Allen in. However, during the burglary West came downstairs and attacked Allen. During the struggle, the two of them beat West with an iron bar and stabbed him multiple times. Evans later admitted to stealing West's watch after this. The two of them were identified and arrested. During interrogation, Evans accidentally denied having a knife, despite never being told that West was stabbed. After a lengthy trial, the jury found both of them equally guilty as they were unable to prove who had killed West. Both men were executed on the thirteenth of August 1964. A year later, the death penalty was suspended in Britain.