“The Burnley Sensation” as it was now becoming known had caused a great stir not only in Burnley but also that of Manchester and  not even the hustle and bustle of daily life could conceal the fact  that something of unusual importance was about to take place, and on  Friday the 6th October 1893, Minshull Police Court in Manchester would be the setting of what was quickly escalating into the crime of the decade.

The public’s appetite for curiosity had been whetted by recent  ‘rumours’ that sensational new evidence had been found that would  incriminate both Ashworth Read and Elizabeth Remington for the willful murder of a child and as people made their way to the  court house, the only topic of conversation on their lips was, where  they innocent or guilty of murder?

Minshull Street Police Station was already packed with groups of  people all eager to hear the lurid details of the case hours before the  trial started and as soon as the doors were opened, the spacious  corridors and staircases leading to the Court were quickly filled and  the limited allocation of seats provided for the public gallery would  soon be occupied.  As the morning advanced, more and more people all  made their way to the court house.  This was a case that no-one wanted  to miss!

Taking to their seats, members of the press where first into the  court but seats at a premium, those unlucky enough to arrive late argued  with officials, with pushing and shoving taking hold as tempers flared.

Next, the police officials involved in the case would make their appearance.  Chief Detective Inspector Caminada flitted in and out of the room, seemingly making sure all of his  members of staff where ready.  Showing an air of authority, he was  described by one journalist as being a pleasant looking dark haired,  bearded man with an open face and intellectual expression

With everyone now in place, the only people next to attend the session where those of Ashworth Read and Elizabeth Remington.

However, Mr. William Cobbett, prosecuting on behalf  of the police would attend and would ask the judge that the case against  Read and Remington may be called in order that he might make an  application for a remand.  At this point, the members of press looked  around, stunned at what they were hearing.  Nothing was known to any of  them and the request for a remand seemed to literally come out of  nowhere.

A hush came over the gallery as the name ‘Read’ was made out.  A few  seconds later and the footsteps of newcomers into the court could be  heard making their way into the dock.

Standing with their heads bent down, Read and Remington appeared to  the wide eyed open spectators all yearning for the details of their  crime to be heard in detail for the first time.

Elizabeth was a well-built, tall looking young woman and it was  clearly obvious to all that she had been crying for some considerable  time.  Each time she wiped away the tears from her face, more appeared  just as quickly.  Her face was slightly obscured by a hat trimmed with  velvet, relieved by a small feather and the upper portion of her body  was covered in a grey looking shawl that covered her neck and jaw line.

Stood next to her was Ashworth Read, dressed in a smart looking brown  suit that gave the impression of a successful business man and an aura  of authority.  His thin, shallow face was partially covered with a long  beard and it seemed that recent events had given him a haggard  appearance.