| Following a seizure William Apter battered to death Norman Garner with a tin bath, but was unable to recall the killing. On the morning of 19th June 1956, 22 year old Apter had spent the night at the home of Matilda Garner, sister of his girlfriend, Teresa Jones, in Harebell Street, Kirkdale. 15 year old Teresa was woken by Matilda's husband Norman, advising her that William, who had slept on the sofa was suffering a fit. Teresa went down and comforted him and he apparently recovered and fell back asleep. Moments later however, Apter sat upright with his eyes bulging, before jumping up and following Norman Garner who had gone outside to use the toilet Apter then knocked him to the ground and repeatedly punching him. He then continued the onslaught using a tin bath. When confronted by a neighbour, Apter took a bicycle and later in the day was observed riding unsteadily on the floating roadway which connected the Pier Head to an overhead railway station. Apter was possibly on his way to his mothers house in Bebington, Wirral, but on falling from the bike was taken to hospital suffering from concussion. On waking up in hospital, Apter was met by CID officers who wanted to question about the attack on Norman Garner, who was now critically ill in hospital. Apter was stunned by this, saying he could remember nothing since seeing Norman getting ready for work that morning. When Norman Garner died six days later, William Apter was committed to trial for murder. His defence cousel argued that at the time of the killing, Apter's epilepsy had made him incapable of understanding the consequences of his actions. Giving evidence, Teresa Jones stated that Apter had never before shown any violent tendencies during their time together, never having even raised his voice. Dr. Brisby, the chied medical officer of Walton Prison was of the opinion that Apter had suffered a 'defect of reason' due to his epilepsy. Apter was found guilty but insane, to be kept under supervision 'until the Queen's pleasure be known. |
| TIN BATH BATTERING |
| Photographs to be added soon |