In 1867 the usually quiet town of Alton was thrown into a state of excitement after a report of a horrific murder had been committed on a child named Fanny Adams, who was between the years of seven and eight.

This report was to bring a new expression into the English Language and into more common usage - Sweet Fanny Adams.

Fanny was actually eight years and four months old at the time and it was a known fact that if the murderer was ever caught, he could expect no mercy whatsoever for this vilest of crimes.

The story relates that one, Frederick Baker had enticed the little girl into a corner of Horace's Field, which was later turned into a housing estate. After what he himself described as a 'fine and hot murder' dismembered the body and scattered it far and wide.

Baker was arrested later the same day and brought to trial before Mr Justice Mellor at the Winter Assizes which were held at Winchester Castle. Found guilty of the crime he was sentenced to be hanged at the city's prison.

That morning one of the many news sheets of the timereported, 'the wretched criminal Frederick Baker suffered the extreme penalty of the law at Winchester Prison for the atrocious murder of Fanny Adams. It is satisfactory to state that since his condemnation, the conduct of the unhappy man underwent a total change for the better, and his demeanour was changed into one of deep dejection.'

It then goes on to describe that Baker, a solicitor's clerk was attended by the chaplain and the sheriffs, how the procession was formed and slowly took its way to the scene of execustion; and then 'the cap and rope was adjusted, the bold drawn, and the prisoner was launched into eternity'

The name of Frederick Baker is no longer remembered but the name of his victim, Fanny Adams, lives on to become part of our folklore. It is used to describe something which is hopeless and at worst it is a profanity. In the Royal Navy it is used to describe a certain type of canned mutton.

SEE THE BALLAD OF 'The Execution of Frederick Baker'

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