Betty Scott, a widow from Burnley, was tragically murdered by her lodger, Robert Templeton, after their relationship soured
Burnley: So, there’s this heartbreaking story about a young widow named Betty Scott. She was a well-respected woman in her community, always working hard to support her kids after her husband passed away.
To make ends meet, she started taking in lodgers and doing laundry for others. But things took a dark turn on January 2, 1882, when one of her lodgers, Robert Templeton, ended her life in a brutal way.
Templeton, who was known as “Big Bob,” had moved in about nine months earlier. He seemed like a decent guy at first, working as a printer and even getting close to Betty. They were planning to marry, but then his true colors started to show.
Betty, who was just 33, got fed up with his drinking and the way he treated her. By Boxing Day, she had enough and ended their engagement, moving back to her kids’ room. She told him he had to leave, but he begged for a week to find somewhere else.
When he didn’t leave by the deadline, he went out drinking instead. After a long night at the pub, he came home demanding dinner. When Betty accidentally dropped a plate, he exploded in anger and went to bed without eating.
Later that night, things escalated. Betty’s brother woke up to find Templeton arguing with her. He tried to kick him out, but Templeton refused to leave. A few hours later, Betty’s brother heard strange noises and discovered the horrifying scene.
He found Betty bleeding heavily in bed, and it was clear something terrible had happened. Neighbors rushed to help, but it was too late. Betty was dead, and Templeton was acting strangely, just pacing around the house.
When the police arrived, they found a bloody razor believed to be the murder weapon. Templeton didn’t resist arrest; he just wanted to be taken away. He seemed to reflect on what he had done, but it didn’t change the fact that he had taken a life.
At the trial, the evidence was overwhelming. Doctors confirmed that Betty couldn’t have inflicted the fatal wound on herself. Templeton was found guilty of murder and sentenced to hang.
Despite a petition for mercy claiming he wasn’t of sound mind, it didn’t work. On February 13, 1882, he faced the gallows, repeating prayers for forgiveness. In his last letters, he expressed deep regret for what he had done.
Betty was laid to rest in a local churchyard, while Templeton was buried among other condemned men. It’s a tragic reminder of how quickly life can change and the darkness that can lurk behind closed doors.
