True Crime: The infamous East Cliff mallet murder

The story begins with an advert posted in the Echo in September, 1934: 

'Daily willing lad, 14-18, for house-work; Scout-trained preferred. Apply between 11-12, 8-9 at 5 Manor Road, Bournemouth'.

Also known as Villa Madeira, 5 Manor Road on Bournemouth's East Cliff was home to the celebrated architect Francis Rattenbury.

He shared the home with his wife of ten years Alma, her son by a previous marriage Christopher, their son John, and Alma’s live-in companion-housekeeper, Irene Riggs.

Alma and Francis Rattenbury with their son John.

Sadly, Yorkshire-born man of the house Francis was no longer in his prime.

Now 67-years-old, Francis had once sailed from England to Canada at the age of 24 in the search for fame as an architect. 

He was widely applauded and found critical acclaim in British Columbia after designing the Parliament Buildings for Victoria, British Columbia’s capital.

He also designed the Law Courts in Vancouver and the luxurious Empress Hotel on Victoria’s waterfront. 

In 1923 the lavish hotel he had designed set the scene for the meeting of his future wife, Alma Pakenham. 

An accomplished musician, Alma grew up in British Columbia. She spent her teenage years in Vancouver and before meeting Francis she had been married twice, moving to England and then back to Canada. 

At the time of their meeting Alma was still in her second marriage but the well-known affair between the two socialite's meant they were no longer welcome in Victoria.

Alma quickly divorced her second husband and married Francis, the newly-weds then settled in Manor Road with Alma's son, Christopher. 

In 1934 the family were joined by 18-year-old George Stoner from Redhill, Bournemouth, who became the 'daily willing lad' they had advertised for in the Echo. 

Just two months after starting his job as a chaffeur and handy-man the handsome young man moved into Villa Madeira.

Francis Rattensbury was suffering from depression and impotence, he slept alone downstairs and it is reported that he was a heavy drinker who took nightly solice in a bottle of whiskey. 

In contrast, 39-year-old Alma was very much still in her prime. The beautiful singer-songwriter found excitement in her passionate affair with the new handy-man and chaffuer, George Stoner. 

George Stoner pictured in 1990. 

It is widely reported that Francis didn't object to the affair and that the once shy George quickly became agressive and possessive of Alma. 

Whenever Francis and Alma would spend time together George would flair up and show his devilish jealousy which reached crisis point on the weekend of March 23, 1935.

Having spent a spoiling weekend away in London, Alma and George were flying high in the throws of their romance.

Understandably on their return, poor Francis seemed more down than ever. 

In a bid to perk up her husband and boost his morale, Alma arranged a trip for them both to see a friend in Bridport the following week.

After finding out about the plans George flew into a blind rage and raced to his grandparents house in Ensbury Park where he borrowed a mallet, supposedly to erect a screen in the garden of Villa Madeira. 

However, late on the Sunday evening Francis was found seriously injured having been badly bludgeoned and was rushed to the hospital.

After wiping away the matted blood from his head the doctors realised the severity of the circumstances and contacted the police.

It wasn't until the early hours of Monday morning that the police arrived at Villa Madeira where they found an intoxicated Alma who said she had "done him in". 

The home on Manor Road where the murder occurred. 

Alma repeated the same story the following morning and was arrested for attempted murder. 

Two days later, George confessed to the housekeeper, Irene, that he had infact killed Francis with the mallet - he was then arrested.

Francis died later in the week and the charges were changed to murder. 

The adulterous couple both pleaded not guilty and were jointly tried at the Old Bailey on May 27, 1935.

Due to the case being extremely high-profile in Bournemouth there was too much public interest for the trial to be held in Winchester.

The young George refused to say anything other than his name in the trial whilst Alma bought a solid defence.

On 31 May, 1935, Alma was acquitted and George was found guilty of murder. 

After the trial public sympathy grew for George who was deemed to be led astray by the much older Alma. 

A few days later she ended her life in Christchurch close to the River Avon. 

Despite all of this, the two sons were able to lead happy lives and reportedly went on to launch successful careers. 

More than 80 years after the murder The Echo caught up with readers who remebered the case at the time. One lady, Vera Head, was an office girl with the solicitor who acted for George Stoner.

Mrs Head said: "“We didn’t have so many murders as we do today. It was quite an event. Everybody in the country knew about it.

"It made me laugh that he said he’d take the secret to his grave because we all knew it was him.”

Do you know of any other historic murders in Bournemouth? Let us know in the comments or email nicole.baddeley@newsquest.co.uk.