John McGourty

John McGourty was battered to death at a derelict public house on 6 June 1962 at about 3.10am.

The public house had been The Fountain at 74 St George's Road, London. Following the attack, he was taken to Lambeth Hospital where he died two hours later.

John McGourty was described as an elderly and shabby tramp.

It was thought that he had been kicked to death by a gang of teenage youths for fun. He died before he could tell the police anything, however, his companion, who was also beaten, gave evidence of what he described as a night of terror.

It was said that John McGourty had been thrust through a door in the room that he had been sleeping in in the building and kicked and punched.

At his inquest in Southwark on 8 August 1962 the Coroner appealed for witnesses to help the police trace the murderers, saying:

When the Coroner addressed the jury he said that the only possible verdict was murder, adding:

John McGourty's companion’s statement stated that they had been sleeping in the derelict public house in  St George's Road, Southwark, John McGourty being in the room below him, when he was awakened by young Cockney voices and the sounds of a fight below. He said that when he realised what was happening that he got down in a corner and pulled his coat over him, hoping they wouldn't find him, but that a few minutes later five or six boys came into the room and one said, 'Theres another tramp over there'.

He said that they dragged him across the room and kicked him and that someone knelt on him and he was then struck on the head with a brick.

He said that the youth's then left him and went to the stairs, but that one of them said:

And that they returned to kick him again.

He said that he eventually staggered downstairs where he was found by a police officer who later found John McGourty dying from brain injuries.

Forty-seven youths were interviewed following his murder. However, the police said:

The pathologist said that John McGourty's death was due to contusion of the brain and haemorrhage. He said that there was a fracture of the check bone and fractures of four ribs and marks on his neck compatible with the pinning of his neck by someone’s fingers.

He said there was deep bruising on the stomach as though made by someone kneeling on him, and that injuries down his left side were compatible with him having been thrust through a door.

The Coroner added:

The inquest returned a verdict of murder by a person or persons unknown.