Jack the Ripper - Swansea connections

 In a recent BBC program, Lucy Worsley Investigates, Lucy investigates how the Jack the Ripper case shapes how true crime is covered today. In her investigations, Lucy explains how these killings create a world of entertainment based on murder.

Did Jack the Ripper have the same effect here in Swansea?  This seems to have been the case, as below are a few cases.

A few months after the murders of August 1888, The Swansea and Glamorgan Herald reported that an alleged “Jack the Ripper” was in Swansea.

The Swansea and Glamorgan Herald

Ruth John, from Brynhyfryd, had summoned her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Davies to court for sureties of the peace. The complainant stated that the defendant had threatened her.

The previous week, Ruth had received a handwritten letter very much in her daughter’s hand.  The letter read

“Dear Ruth – You take care of yourself.  I am on your account before Sunday week.  You have heard of “Jack the Ripper”.  I will rip you open in the lane, close to the house.  Mind yourself, I am going to call on Mrs Pugh.  I am down on whose, as you do hear. I will poodle Mrs Pugh first, as she is fresh. There will be no more about the both of you in a fortnight, - Yours “Jack Ripper”

Having been cross-examined by Mr Robinson Simth, for the defendant, Mrs Pugh had confessed that she had been at loggerheads with her daughters. The police had called at the property to interfere.

The case had been dismissed due to lack of evidence.

A year after the events of the murder at Whitechapel, London.

The Swansea and Glamorgan Herald

August 1889, The Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, reported that there was a Murder being committed at Gathin Street after a shriek was heard.  After a crowd had filled the streets adjacent to Lord Napier, the man made off, with the woman screaming “Jack the Ripper” and “You are Jack the Ripper”.

After the man had been recognized, the man was actuated more by the spirit of fun than evil intent.

December 1889, a Swansea barque “Picton Castle”, had returned to port at Middlesborough from London.  The dock labourers discovered a woman’s hand.  Also to be discovered in the ballast were human remains, and acts attributed to “Jack the Ripper”.

he Swansea and Glamorgan Herald

The Swansea and Glamorgan Herald reported the story. "Ghastly Discovery in a Swansea Vessel"  Was it thought that Jack the Ripper was a seaman?