John Tapner The Last Hanging On Guernsey

Today's podcast delves into the historical account of John Charles Tapner, the last person executed in Guernsey. In 1854, Tapner was convicted of murdering 74-year-old Elizabeth Saujon, who was found unconscious in her ransacked and burning home in St. Peter Port. Despite petitions for clemency, including one from author Victor Hugo, Tapner was hanged on February 10, 1854. His execution was notably botched, leading to a prolonged death by strangulation. This case remains significant in Guernsey's history, as no further executions occurred on the island after Tapner's death.