Suffolk unsolved 120-year-old murder re-examined in podcast

‘Was Justice Served’ is a new podcast produced by Find My Past, which invites listeners to "discover historical crimes, one headline at a time".

Its fourth episode centres around the brutal murder of Rose Harsent, a 22-year-old domestic servant whose bloodied remains were discovered in Peasenhall on June 1, 1902.

Rose’s father, William, had visited Providence House where she served the Crisp family, bringing his daughter linen.

Inside, he found the Rose’s body in the kitchen. Her throat had been cut, and the front of her nightdress burned away. She was also discovered to have been six months pregnant.

Rose Harsent was discovered in the kitchen of the house where she worked by her father. (Image: Archant Archive) Rose Harsent's bedroom window at the top of Providence House. (Image: Archant Archive) Suspicion was immediately turned upon father-of-six William Gardiner, who had been rumoured to have had an affair with Rose, after the pair were overheard whispering together at their local chapel.

Gardiner protested his innocence, as did his wife.

The case made it to court, where prosecutor Henry Dickens – son of the famed author, Charles – did his best to convince the jury of Gardiner’s guilt. Twice, a jury failed to reach a verdict, and when the judge ordered another retrial, Dickens decided that there was little point.

William Gardiner was accused of Rose's murder. (Image: Archant Archive)

The murder has remained unsolved ever since.

Now, podcast hosts Jen Baldwin, a research specialist, and David Wilson, a criminologist, have delved into the archives to reconsider contemporary reports of the crime to try to uncover the truth.

Together they discuss Rose’s short life, and the relationships in the small, close-knit village of Peasenhall, and the hearsay surrounding the trial that centred on the Primitive Methodist community.

They also take a closer look at the aftermath of the case, including examining false confessions and how the people involved were affected long after the trial ended.

The collection of evidence they have trawled through is available to read on www.findmypast.co.uk

This includes snippets from the then-Evening Star, now the Ipswich Star, so that listeners and readers can follow the case as it played out in real time.

An excerpt from page 3 of the edition published on June 4, 1902, reads: “The circumstances attending the death of Rose Annie Harsent […] were investigated by Mr Coroner Chaston, acting for Mr Coroner Garrod, at the Swan Inn, Peasenhall, on Tuesday.

“The first supposition was that it was a case of suicide, but the production by the police of an anonymous letter from a person making an appointment to see the deceased at 12 o’clock on the night she died, the evidence of the medical gentleman concerned, that the wounds were of a nature that did not point to self-infliction, and other facts brought out by the inquiry, upset that theory.”

The excerpt continued: “Mrs Harsent, mother of the deceased, said she last saw her daughter alive on May 28. She was in good health, and appeared bright. She had a suspicion she was enciente [pregnant], and spoke to her about her dress, but she said it was a thick bodice she had round her.

“She walked out with a young man about 12 months ago. Witness did not think she was likely to take her life.

Co-host Mr Wilson said: “Recording this podcast was a fascinating journey into some truly intriguing historical crime stories, each of which has a twist you won’t expect.

“It's interesting to hear how different families feel toward ancestral crimes and the many ways it can significantly shape future generations."

To view the collection of evidence, click here