The Dundry Hill Murder: The Wedmore Brothers and the Death of Sarah Waterman, 1861
News of the Times | Episode 569 | 1861
In the winter of 1861, a savage crime shocked the quiet hills near Bristol.

George and Sarah Waterman, an elderly couple known for their quiet life and kindness, were attacked in their own cottage — ambushed by two masked men. The intruders came armed, posing as a local policeman to gain entry, and what followed was a scene of unimaginable brutality.

Sarah Waterman was left with her skull nearly shattered. George, bloodied and barely alive, was tied to a bacon rack and left to die.

The twist? The attackers were not strangers. They were family.

This is the chilling case of the Wedmore brothers — Charles and Matthew — whose descent into greed and violence ended with a double hanging that drew thousands to the prison yard at Taunton.

It’s a tale of rural isolation, broken kinship, and justice that came only after one of the most appalling home invasions of the Victorian age.

🕯️ And in tonight’s Further Particulars…
A devil in white. Rubber trousers. A glowing turnip. And a cry of “chick, chick.”

In 1867 Broughty Ferry, terror had a new name — Spring Legs. Part ghost, part gymnast, and part candle-powered performance artist, he leapt through gardens, haunted windows… and met his match in a well-aimed flowerpot.

Some say he was possessed. Others say he was just… Scottish.😉

👤 Narrated by Robin Coles 

📅 New episodes: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 

📚 Related cases from the archive: 
1868: The Body in the Cupboard: A Mystery That Baffled Victorian London |  EP528
https://youtu.be/9SGIxyna1q8
1865: Bayonet Madness in Batley: A Victorian Double Murder |  EP562
https://youtu.be/A08XNdHDzso

❤️ Support Independent History  
If you enjoy our ad-free, archive-based storytelling, help us keep the lantern lit:  

👉 **Patreon** – Full archive, early access, bonus compilations (and it keeps us independent):  
https://www.patreon.com/NewsOfTheTimesHistoricalCrime  

☕ Prefer a one-off thank-you? We LOVE a posh coffee indulgence! We tip our top hats:  
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

🕯 About the Channel  
We’re an independent team of historical researchers and narrators specialising in 18th to early 20th century British true crime. Each episode is based enti

 Hear about our ad-free archive on Patreon – 650+ episodes and counting! 🎩 https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime

 Fancy a chuckle between corpses? Discover our first lovingly illustrated volume of wildly unreliable memoirs. 

Grab it here: https://ko-fi.com/s/b406f6f11e

 Support us on Patreon for ad-free early access and exclusive bonus episodes. 

https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at [email protected]
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd