He Escaped Broadmoor to KILL Again

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John Straffen had a troubled youth and butted heads with authority figures from a young age. Plagued by learning difficulties he found it hard to fit in but also had a habit of committing petty crimes. These would eventually escalate to murder.
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[@WellINever]

Thank you for watching! Dont forget to download Murder by Choice for FREE, use my link and get the gift of 500 energy! : nrdc.link/TH2sOX

[@addie_is_me]

I’m doing it. 🤗

[@addie_is_me]

Done. 🔎

[@t-and-p]

Murder by Choice is a game I've already played and, for anyone considering it, it is really interesting and has a very intriguing storyline. Nordcurrent, the developers, are very good, too, and don't go selling your details to all and sundry (something that puts me off a lot of other games) It's really nice to see a game I enjoy partnering with a channel I enjoy! 👍😎

[@arroncarr9805]

I love your bracelet! It looks like snaffle bits!

[@hayesjulie]

Done!

[@jelly-johnbobster2283]

If he had the mental capacity to plan and execute an escape from Broadmoor, he had the mental capacity to stand trial for capital murder.

[@michab4083]

Well, climbing a shed and then jumping the wall would not exactly need a genius in strategic planning. But yes, you're probably right.

[@ShopFloorMonkey]

As the other reply stated, a 10 year old could have easily come up with that idea, but I'm not sure you should charge a 10 year old with capital murder. Seems like a false equivalence to me.

[@TheEudaemonicPlague]

I'm wondering about your mental capacity. A five year old could figure out how to escape by climbing something in plain sight...and his mental age was twice that. I think it's more that you just like the idea of punishing people without any thought to it.

[@pabmusic1]

@@ShopFloorMonkey Yes, I agree. Btw, all murder (where the offender was 18 or over) was capital murder in 1952. It didn't change till 1958. R. v Straffen is notable for a House of Lords (Supreme Court) ruling that evidence of the killings of the first two girls could be introduced at the trial to show a pattern of behaviour.

[@ShopFloorMonkey]

@@pabmusic1 I didn't know that it was still on the statute books for under 18s until 58. Thank you for pointing that out! 👍

[@gmanette188]

A person can be intellectually challenged and evil at the same time

[@vinny142]

Indeed, being mentally challenged can be a reason why they don't understand that they should not kill. Knowing right from wrong is one thing, caring about it is something else entirely.

[@EP61]

Correct

[@Lenn869]

if anything, shouldn´t we lock them up for longer, because they´ll never learn to do better?

[@Skoopyghost]

Intellectually challenged doesn't have to mean stupid. Intelligence is too broad to label someone "mentally handicapped" as stupid. In fact our education system doesn't create critical thinkers. It's bigotry. Don't tell me it isn't.

[@ruthmeb]

​@@SkoopyghostIrrelevant. Low intelligence is a measurable thing, not caused by poor education.

[@sthenzel]

Sometimes the capacity of the mind should not be the determining factor for treatment, but the danger an individual poses for others.

[@wtconroe879]

Sometimes? Always...

[@victrola2007]

EXACTLY!

[@jujumulligan43]

And just exactly how do you suppose that would be determined???

[@davehoward22]

Britain's longest serving prisoner,..It's amazing how he managed to get out and kill within half an hour.

[@looloo4029]

What a monster 😔

[@dr.ryttmastarecctm6595]

Unfortunately, the authorities equated his mental capabilities with physical ones. Here was a person who was mentally 10, but possessed the body and strength of an adult male. The final sentence he served should have been the one received after the first murder.

[@Rai_S82]

I always find myself wrestling with whether to listen straight away, or to wait until I've 'clocked off' and can lay back with a glass of wine to be fully relaxed by Paul's lovely voice. Might just have to do both! 😂

[@lilyt18]

I can totally relate to this 😊

[@elvenkind6072]

Those that wait for something good, do not wait in vain - is a saying here.

[@Rai_S82]

@@elvenkind6072 so true 😊

[@addie_is_me]

Yes, doing both sounds perfect. I listen more than once myself anyway. Lol

[@michellelevert5128]

Same. I always wait until I can really appreciate it.

[@hurlockh0lmes]

Brenda Goddard and Cicely Batstone were buried next to each other as well, in Locksbrook Cemetery. I can’t even begin to imagine what their families went through :(

[@hound3000]

For him to be able to plan his escape showed that he was not feeble-minded at all. Maybe he overestimated himself, but I'm sure he understood his actions.

[@Tumbledweeb]

Feeble-mindedness isn't actually a thing. It's a catch-all nonsense diagnosis introduced by Eugenicists to apply to whomever they deemed undesireable.

[@michaelsinger4638]

Eh apparently a lot of the patients knew that you could escape that way. Most just didn’t bother to actually try it.

[@saafiiiraa]

You sound American...

[@Tumbledweeb]

@@saafiiiraa Who does?

[@saafiiiraa]

I'm replying to a comment - if I was replying to a comment on a comment - I would tag that person.@@Tumbledweeb

[@jackspring7709]

For a man who was feeble minded, he sure did succeed in constantly getting the better of the police and the courts.

[@Tuberuser187]

Obviously he had intelligence related developmental issues but he clearly knew wrong from right at the outset, from the first Murder he tried to claim it was an accident and the poor girl had "hit her head". Just because his attempts at deception and cover up where laughable, because of the intelligence issues it doesn't mean he didn't know what he was doing.

[@elvenkind6072]

0:50 Brilliant! Exquisite style! I'd even dare to claim the whole combination of clothes, the calm and reflected personality, the tale to be told, and the pipe (!) is flawless! I'd press "like" several times if I could. Hoping you all have a nice weekend by the way! Summer is still holding fast over here in Norway. With wishes of the very best for you all, from me and Lucis, my cat. 🙂

[@phaedrapage4217]

And best wishes to you from me, 2 dogs, and 4 cats! Have a great weekend!

[@tinameyer7080]

Agreed! The style of a gentleman of an Era gone by. I LOVE it and secretly dream of going to such a time.!!!! Well done Sir!!!!

[@angeladormer6659]

I worked at a mental health unit many years ago and we got patients from other criminal secure units to let them adjust to a different system some prior to release. The mental health system now in UK is pitiful thanks to the labour supremo who sold off all the hospitals and carparks. In those days we always thought the criminal secure units were just that secure. Laws changed and patients were not allowed to be locked in. It was a chilling case, thank you for not allowing these little innocents' names to be forgotten.

[@TinaFivesten]

Yes, just like in every socialistic country; criminals are not put in prison!

[@angeladormer6659]

@Michael-ur3on sorry, auto correct changed car parks, thank you

[@bettyir4302]

IMO, he did know he was doing wrong or he wouldn't have told Brenda there were better flowers elsewhere away from her home and led Sicily out of view and who really knows how many other victims. He knew to make up lies about what he did with them and how they died. He planned his escape so not nearly as low IQ as authorities thought.

[@robertmoffett3486]

Very young children are capable of deception and manipulation. Escaping and hiding come naturally to young people, and even young animals. He learned that certain things would get him in trouble, but he clearly didn't understand right and wrong in the moral sense. His response about the ten commandments, etc., was just parroting what he had been told repeatedly. He really had no clue. The sorts of deficits caused by brain damage can be quite bizarre. The best explanations I've seen are in the book, The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat, by Oliver Sachs. (That man being a university professor). It's actually enjoyable, even though the cases are tragic. The movie Awakenings is based on one of the cases in the book

[@oldcrowslanding]

I was thinking the same. Totally cognizant enough to stand trial. He planned his escape, even thinking ahead enough to wear regular street clothes under his Broadmoor work uniform. He planned to kill again to get even with the police whom he blamed for his incarceration. He knew to lure his victim into a private setting where no one would see what he was going to do. Low intelligence? Obviously--His revealing statements upon being captured clearly demonstrate that. However, his low intelligence level doesn't mean he didn't understand right from wrong. He lied because he knew that he had done something very bad and was hoping to get away with it. Very sad case.

[@janetpendlebury6808]

Being of low intelligence means he was very childlike, and children often lie to try to get out of trouble. He made no effort not to be seen by anyone in leading the child away and no effort to conceal the bodies. Even children can plan things, and it did not take much for him to escape once he was outside the place! Telling police he did not kill the girl with the bike straight away is something a child would do, not an adult trying to get away with it.

[@mimsydreams]

I think the failure is in thinking an intellectually delayed person has the same mindset as a child. You can be dumb as bricks, but you still know right from wrong. Children can begin to learn right from wrong as young as 2 or 3 years old. They have a better grasp on it by the time they are 5. But, like most things, they learn from the environment they are in. If he truly had the mind of a 10 year old, he knew murder was wrong. He got in trouble for threatening murder, so HAD to know actual murder would get him in more trouble. What he MAY not have known (pure speculation here, because I don't know) or realized the full extent of that wrongness; The pain of the child he killed, the anguished of their families, etc. Clearly, his mother thought her son could do no wrong. She very likely ignored most of the disturbing things John said or did and waived it off as "Oh, he's just slow. He didn't mean it."

[@nunyabiz6925]

Exactly. Premeditated yuck

[@rizon72]

He managed to escape, and first thing he did was go kill another girl and people thought it would be a good idea to have him released?

[@Dawna-gp1zk]

In hindsight, no.

[@mus139]

Do good Liberals in those days too?

[@straingedays]

Thanks for explaining what "under license" meant. Our 3x gr-grandma (and five of her siblings) were made Wards of State in the 1870's, guilty of neglect by parents. Her records show she was sent under license to dozens of households, likely as a servant? She was released on her 18th birthday. Her parents were deemed as habitual drunkards.

[@lynnlmr2032]

Oh, your poor Grandmother. I hope she had a really happy adult life.

[@paulthrutner9114]

That’s why we use the term “life sentence” as technically you’re classed as in jail even upon release. It’s quite bizarre. You often see news headlines about celebs reading “footballer jailed”..but when you read the story it states “footballer receives 2 year suspended sentence” which means they’re in jail but they’re not. 😂😂😂

[@grendelgrendelsson5493]

Life sentenced prisoners are released under licence today. Any criminal conviction and they can be returned to prison to serve more of their life sentence. I know many who have been recalled to prison.

[@breigesheppard8339]

WHAT,,,,THE😡🤬👎🏻👎🏻

[@marygrummer9189]

Another fascinating story. A person who kills should be locked up for life, regardless of his mental age. Society should be protected.

[@dollarcostbackpacker1226]

not just anyone... but after you murder indiscriminently more than once... maybe expedite their trip to hell and save everyone else the b.s.

[@saafiiiraa]

Yeah, you do you in the states. Look at how great you're doing with your prison system... 😂😂

[@wtconroe879]

Maybe in the UK. But in the United States, that would just give somebody the rest of their life to work their way down to a minimum security prison due to good behavior and just walk away from, for example, a work detail. Happens all the time. My neighbor's ex boyfriend has been on the run from prison for the past 5 years & I'd bet my bottom dollar he's no longer in the country.

[@catherinelw9365]

@@saafiiiraa Prob better than yours.

[@victrola2007]

​​@@saafiiiraaoh stuff it! Focus on this case and avoid getting straw men stuck where the sun "don't shine" 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@spn4473]

As a Forensic Psychologist I can state that he was not feeble minded. He was vindictive, able to plan and carry out a crime, make certain police could not pin the actual murders on him while being seen with underage victims and leaving their bodies in plain sight, he understood right from wrong, and was focused. He showed no remorse as a serial killer. Often criminals will exhibit highly manipulative behaviors. Even lower functioning individuals. Many people are who've suffered traumatic brain injuries are incarcerated in the US due to heinous crimes and how dangerous they are. Some have been executed. Paul, I do love this channel! You present interesting content.

[@kcbh24]

Well, I appreciate your input as a professional but I would like to hear the assessments from others.

[@nicolad8822]

All without talking to him or reading his medical notes? Wow.

[@kcbh24]

@@nicolad8822 thank you!

[@saafiiiraa]

Tell me you're definitely not a professional without telling me you're not a professional... 😂😂

[@GypsyGirl317]

As an ex mental health nurse (including forensic patients) I concur with your assessment. These people making sarcastic comments clearly have no experience in the field. 🙆🏻‍♀️

[@theblackbear211]

Hmmm... where does one draw the line between "mentally enfeebled" and "without empathy, conscience, or remorse?" Was the man, or was he not, a clear and present danger to the public - and specifically, to children, his entire adult life? Moral and practical questions each society has to weigh within their own moral framework.

[@aliquotidian]

There was in Australia the case of Derek Percy. Nastiest stripe of paedophile, he was committed and went on to become our country's longest serving inmate. Percy appealed regularly, had regular assessments, and the psychiatrists' conclusion each time was, "although the subject does not meet the criteria of any known diagnosis and could therefore be deemed of sound mind, DO NOT LET HIM OUT". After his death (regrettably of natural causes), a storage unit was found, full of writings detailing his persistent desire to abuse and kill children. Authorities have no idea how Percy managed to get these out of his secure incarceration, but it certainly validated his incarceration for life.

[@janetpendlebury6808]

@@aliquotidian Percy was never diagnosed as being of low IQ so the two are not really relatable.

[@aliquotidian]

@@janetpendlebury6808 Was focussed more on the "was the man ... a clear and present danger..." aspect. I couldnt remember at time of writing if Percy was committed to a hospital or sent to a general prison. Percy was incarcerated as a psychiatric case, on basis that he was and remained a danger to the public; he appealed his sentence repeatedly and was denied as stated above. If he had been judged guilty but sane, he would have been out and reoffending in twenty years. The low IQ aspect blurs the issue only slightly - Straffen was sufficiently intelligent to ensure his homicidal acts were not witnessed, and to lie (although badly) in both commission of and aftermath of crime. He knew moral right from wrong, but evidently did not care to apply this knowledge to his actions.. I don't think Straffen was any more mentally enfeebled than Percy; both were and remained dangers to society their entire lives. The question hanging over Straffen was eligibility for the death penalty as punishment; fortunately the UK is good at enacting the "whole-of-life tariff", unlike Australia. In the US, you have the case of Albert Fish (mentioned elsewhere in Comments) where the jury deliberating his final case recognised that the man was of unsound mind, remained a danger to society despite being released as "cured" from a term in psychiatric cars [at least once] only to reoffend, and thus chose to deliver a verdict "of sound mind" so that he would be executed - as the only sure way to prevent him being released into society again. ...

[@theblackbear211]

@@aliquotidian Here in the US, where our sentencing system can often seem both arbitrary, and at times draconian, we are left wrestling with this question quite often - particularly, since capital punishment has not been abolished in all states.

[@ydarbnhoj]

Over 55 years of incarceration and he still managed to find the time to wreak total havoc - stunning to consider…

[@mikeneill6813]

I wonder what the total cost of his 55yrs incarceration was? JAT.

[@ydarbnhoj]

@@mikeneill6813 I’m afraid that I’m far more concerned about the human cost…

[@merlapittman5034]

People like John Straffen should never be released. Yes, they are not necessarily responsible for their actions, but they are still dangerous. I have to comment on the deerstalker - there aren't many people who can pull off that look, but you certainly can! You always look so elegant and gentlemanly

[@julieclonan2427]

It's not a Deer Stalker , it's a Flat Cap , Sherlock Holmes wore a Deer Stalker , this Hat is more Peaky Blinders 😉🇬🇧

[@mikeneill6813]

@@julieclonan2427 He sports a "deer stalker" in the Sponsor vid clip. He carries it well.

[@chaitalituba]

His supposed infantile mental age is irrelevant. 10 year olds are not habitual sadists or murderers.

[@whowantswaffles]

clearly you haven't heard of the murder of Jamie Bulger. A ten year old can definitely be a sadist or a murderer; the conundrum here is when that is the mental capacity there are limits to how the criminal can be judged. Some kids can be absolutely evil, but they are still kids.

[@joanhoffman3702]

Not habitual, but they do exist. For example, Mary Bell.

[@Aliese11]

10 year Olds know right from wrong.

[@gowdsake7103]

@@Aliese11 SOME do

[@redeyedhobbit]

Mary bell

[@raredischotline]

Completely unrelated to the story of John, but Mr. Brodie your fashion choices and clothing are nothing short of fantastic- you always are so well dressed that it's a joy to see what you choose to wear every episode. 😊

[@ramblingrob4693]

Same clothes

[@artiemiss1724]

If you are intelligent enough to lie and manipulate others you're intelligent enough to be held responsible.

[@user-st6hr5hy2e]

absolutely,and got worse in years since, many many released from mental hospitals deemed fine, something you can look up but not in the news much, and same scenarios as this, and sadly when they kill again do gooders still have that idiot "they are ill cant help it"

[@BriarRouge]

Toddlers can lie and manipulate people.

[@acaciablossom558]

I wonder if any of the idiot bleeding hearts that pushed for his reprieve took a second to think of how the families of his victims felt about the subject. They should have had the last word before the HS made the decision.

[@vinnievenus3570]

Someone in this comment section said check with his victims family members to see if they want him to get out to commit more crazed murders?⁠ I agree. I’ve been prone to a bit of sarcasm lately. On KZbin. Yet Sometimes I find a very rational statement. And I agree. I’ve been studying abandoned psychiatric institutions in the United States and Canada… And often times I come across comments that condemn doctors and staff for using certain questionable methods in controlling criminally violent psychopaths. ‘“Have mercy upon the deliberately deranged killers who slaughtered people callously in this life. Because they showed their victims no mercy and choose to go nuts against many law abiding citizens.”’ That’s what many people say. To the point where I finally got weary of hearing such comments. Did it ever occur to these people who condemn doctors and their staff at such hospitals of the19th century a d that the reason why doctors and staff were forced to use various methods of control is because such patients in such hospitals were violent people ? Who deliberately choose violence over rational thinking king? If you choose to ignore logic and just go nuts and kill innocent people then you lose your human rights. Their was a hospital in the mid twentieth century that was forced to close down because it’s staff had reportedly been forced to strip various patients naked . Due to violence. Displayed by such insane patients. Meaning? Such patients were concealing knives and other objects in their clothes to murder people. It got so bad in the hospital asylum where many insane violent people were confined that , at one point thirty three people, including visitors to the hospital had been stabbed. And 14 murders had occurred. So? To combat this problem? Doctors decided to strip many of the violent patients completely naked. And not allow the murderous psychopaths clothing to conceal weapons. So numerous dangerous murderous psychopaths were forced to go completely naked through the hospital. Sometimes in shackles. To help curb the murders being committed by dangerous crazed psychopathic patients on work derail especially in the hospital. Well? If it stops then from hiding weapons on their persons? In the hospital? So such psychos can’t kill innocent staff and other people? I say “”” why not?””” Such psychos never truly cared for anyone but themselves anyway. And they proved that by killing people in crazy ways in this life. That’s why their in such hospitals on lieutenant governor warrants. Right? If stripping psychos buck naked in such hospitals helps stop psychos from devilishly murdering innocent people in the hospital then I feel that’s a good idea. But apparently when that happened at this specific hospital ? Their was a public outcry when people in society found out and it became so ridiculously unjustly scandalous that the hospital was soon closed down . While people said staff at that hospital. were being crazy there. Because staff were trying to protect people in the hospital from being murdered. O yes. How crazy on the part of staff. To do the right thing there. To try and stop psycholathicinsane people in the hospital from brutally killing people. So staff choose to strip such brutal psychos completely naked. Always. So such evil psychos couldn’t kill people with hidden knives. Of course staff is crazy in trying to stop murders at that hospital that way. Best to just let the patients have clothes so the convicted killers can kill people. Of course. Yes of course. Now to finish this comment? I’ll say this. Regarding the mental patient in this video? Mother 🤨of God! What’s 🤡he doing 👨‍👨‍👧attacking chickens?😮 Chickens🥸 are blood 😥thirsty crazed psychopathic creatures!🥳🧛🧟🙇

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

@@vinnievenus3570lol. So you’ve been studying the history of abandoned former mental institutions… ? That’s dope but the conclusion you’ve to is the polar opposite of “bleeding hearts” and it’s important not to go extreme either way. I once lived right down the road from one and would explore it all the time. There were too many of them that would, and should be seen as the worst places possible for mentally ill folk, women, kids, lost folk that didn’t speak English and some mentally disturbed folks that have murdered. You just wanna give those horror houses the green light again? How a nation treats its prisoners is important. Even more so the mentally ill.

[@crazyibel]

I think it was obvious he knew it was wrong, he lied and tried to give an alibi he also thought he had the upper hand. he isn't as feeble as they seemed to think

[@OnceUponaCrimes]

The case is really interesting in regards to Straffen’s mental capability.

[@applicationuser9764]

He doesn't like authority figures, yet all he does is kill children. Makes no sense but then I guess that's what crazy is.

[@addie_is_me]

I think it’s a case of, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Like someone bullied becoming a bully. But that was kind of funny.

[@lynnlmr2032]

As with all pathetically weak people, they get their powerful feelings from hurting those who cant hurt back.

[@KidarWolf]

Killing children probably does a lot more harm to authority figures than killing one of their own. Certainly, many police officers leaving the service have expressed that seeing the violence that is perpetrated against young children deeply affects them emotionally. However, I doubt Straffen had the capacity to understand that, and it is far more likely he killed children and women because it was easier.

[@justmyopinion3450]

Easiest prey.

[@AyeliaGDoren]

He lacked the intelligence to prey on anyone other than children and knew that.

[@JF-up9jn]

Some ethical dilemmas need not exist at all. Society does not need ppl who lure and murder other ppl, period. Especially if they do it to children, and repeatedly. No matter what their mental status is.

[@fallonbea]

Other Ten year old’s don’t commit such gruesome crimes, I believe he should have been convicted. He understood how to escape! Those poor families of the dead children were given a life sentence of heart break 💔

[@TheEudaemonicPlague]

What's with all the idiots who don't understand at all how little intelligence his escape required? Not to mention the claim that other ten year olds don't commit such crimes...strictly untrue. True, they aren't normally tried as though they're adults, but they do get locked up. I can think of a case of another boy who murdered and was locked up in Broadmoor...only his case was in the late 19th century, and was eventually rehabilitated...ended up in Australia and doing good things. That's just one case that I'm personally aware of. Don't go around demonstrating how little you think...it isn't amusing.

[@janetpendlebury6808]

Even children know how to climb on a roof and hop over a wall! 5 year olds have been known to open the front door in the middle of the night! He was not a mastermind that planned an escape from a prison cell.

[@clarehanson9922]

I can also think of two ten year olds who committed a crime so atrocious it made world news. 1993. Jamie Bulger. The defendants were not locked up forever and I believe that one of the lads is now doing well. A little less knee jerking is required.@@TheEudaemonicPlague

[@kellydalstok8900]

@@clarehanson9922the difference is, that normal 10 year olds grow up mentally and can learn. The man in the video apparently wasn’t capable of leaning much and mental development.

[@janehenry3206]

Justice was done in the end. He was clearly suffering from a mental impairment and lacked capacity. I've seen dogs and cats climb onto objects to escape gardens, reach food etc, it involves basic intelligence. You can't kill for revenge, we did that to Derek Bentley and everyone in Britain now knows it was a wicked act. We still live with that stain on our nation. Justice is blind, anger and hatred should play no part in the proceedings.

[@rogerluna6743]

"... today's sponsor is 'Murder by Choice.' If you're like me..." Smoothest transition ever

[@TinaFivesten]

I think that serial killers like these must get the strongest punishment, which is seldom given nowadays! Their state of mind is irrelevant.

[@mark8544]

Thats a little naive.

[@ShopFloorMonkey]

Straffen was far from the first to escape Broadmoor. I know that James Kelly, who some have linked to actually being Jack the Ripper, escaped in 1888 - the curious timing helping to fuel his potential identity as Saucy Jack. He actually escaped a second time., and eventually turned himself in with the request of being returned to Broadmoor. That said, great video as always Paul! Keep up the great work!

[@MrTwotimess]

John Straffen was sufficiently sane to plan his escape. He was lucky to attract the attention of bleeding heart sympathisers. But those little children had to suffer for the apologetic efforts of the judiciary and establishment alike. The UK has an appalling track record when it comes to crimes against children.

[@nolwazi3076]

People fail to realise that children can be very cunning and play dumb often, knowing full well what they have done and how bad the action they did was. So the way people call him "feeble-minded" is kind of BS to me, because even if you have a mind of a child, children are not dumb.

[@scootermom1791]

I agree! I actually believe it's possible he had a very high IQ and had duped people into believing he was "dumb" since he was a kid. I think he manipulated people into believing he wasn't smart, so he could do whatever he wanted without receiving harsher consequences. Additionally, I think the motive for his manipulation was due to feelings of superiority over everyone else... something often portrayed by psychopaths. He was probably laughing to himself every time he got away with something from childhood into adulthood.

[@Edax_Royeaux]

@@scootermom1791 The brain scans showing he had an extremely damaged cerebral cortex would be something incredibly difficult for him to fake. There's no reason to look for a conspiracy here.

[@ebrahim_al_mutawa]

It doesn’t matter how cunning children can be, he’s not a child

[@tcKennedyRemedy]

I agree; I do NOT think he was as stupid as he wanted you to think. & yes absolutely , evil & stupid can co-exist. In fact, I’d argue evil IS stupid… 😅

[@Uapa500]

I live in Crowthorne, where Broadmoor is, as soon as I moved here from Italy 9 years ago this story was told to me. So cool to see you here! 😲 Every monday the siren used to go off at 10am, as a test in case if escape (one for the emergency, one for the clear off). Always made me think about the hospital patients, their stories and their conception of life in and out of there. Sadly and scarily we can all find ourselves on the other side (creepy to read in the article the doctor admitting there's a lot of sane people in there). Also sadly, with the advent of modern technology, sirens were dismissed few years ago, cos they were too costly to mantain, amd somehow I miss that eerie sound every monday morning. I didn't know that girl's mum was among those who didn't want capital punishment for him. So much respect for her courage and strength.

[@FieldmasterFox]

I live three miles away for Broadmoor.

[@grumpynanny7402]

We still have the sirens at Ashworth. Every Monday at 9 am.

[@xElvirax]

Prison should be for rehabilitation. You cannot rehabilitate monsters like this. He should have been put down for what he did mental deficiency or not.

[@tricivenola8164]

He may have had the mental age of a child but it was an evil child. Sentiment on the part of the authorities killed those little kids.

[@meh3247]

Well, I certainly wish HE (Straffen, that is) had never...

[@ann7882]

You look impeccable as always, sir! This was a good story. This is the stuff of nightmares, people just wandering around killing others for no reason whatsoever. Chilling.

[@gowdsake7103]

John would be bright in some places in America

[@RadioJonophone]

In the two photos where Strafffen is sitting in police cars, it looks like he'd had a beating. Now, I wonder how that could have happened?

[@mcmd2009]

I wondered about that also.

[@elvenkind6072]

Quite interesting, his last name means "(the) punishment" in Norwegian.

[@merryhineline7781]

They beat him for killing a child…as they should.

[@RadioJonophone]

@@merryhineline7781 The police are agents of the courts. Look at Peel's founding principles, one of which states that constables do not usurp the powers of the judiciary by avenging individuals or judging guilt and punishing the guilty.

[@janetpendlebury6808]

@@merryhineline7781 No, the police do not have the right to beat anyone, that makes them no better than anyone else.

[@pimpozza]

Always lovely to see you out and about on location, Paul.. The case of John Straffen is fascinating.. a child-like man, yet capable of horrendous crimes! No empathy or comprehension of the difference between right and wrong.. 😢 Excellent production.. really enjoyed it.. thank you! 👏

[@birdie1585]

Very, very sad all round, on so, so many levels. God rest all their souls.

[@Ms.HarmonyJ]

Love these videos Paul ❤ you and your crew rock

[@sweetlorre]

Watching from Qatar, sir Paul! You are so stylish and I'm jealous. 💜

[@Aeonshield]

Well, I never...

[@deletdis6173]

I concur

[@corihart8732]

That man may have been a bit short of normal intelligence, he ACTUALLY KNEW what he was doing! The fact that he planned to do evil and could actually give the answers that he knew would make the authorities believe him and act semi normal and knowingly lie, shows that he was an intelligent predator. Ugh!

[@moist_VR]

i live somewhat near broadmoor i go for walks around the surrounding area it has some amazing scenery

[@michellelevert5128]

I’ve been waiting for a new video from Paul. He’s hands down the best narrator on KZbin. Great job to everyone behind Well, I Never. I’ve never heard of this story before.

[@jubi400]

Another great story that actually made me say, "Well, I never" 😉

[@vivian2822]

Thank you. I love hearing you talk.

[@beverlymccollum8861]

Enjoyed your excellent presentation. Such a treat the way you dress and speak. Refreshing to be away from the sloppiness we see in so many places today. I felt I was in another time.

[@julesleg]

Did he kill anyone in Broadmoor? If not, he understood what was what.

[@brittanylooney7623]

I absolutely love your channel. You have combined my love of history and true crimes in one 🙌🏽

[@MrButtonpresser]

Well I never. First time I've visited your channel. And may I just say it is excellent. Thank you.

[@Alonnah-78]

❤❤My weekend warrior ❤❤ and I've got strep throat 😢 so I'm curled up with Mr Paul's new video 🎉🎉🎉

[@WellINever]

Get well soon!

[@gowdsake7103]

The fact he had committed murder shows the staff at Broadmoor were negligent

[@Charlotte66666]

Thank you Paul! I'll watch this later while trying to keep cool in this awful heatwave 😅😊

[@SetiSupreme]

Good stuff. I've watched a documentary about Broadmoor but didn't know about this bloke before

[@gregevans6044]

Whatever Paul’s sponsors are paying him, it ain’t enough. His are the only commercials I don’t fast forward Lol

[@DenisHuaHin]

Even with a mental age of 10 so they say, at 10 you know the difference between right and wrong. If had hung him after the first murder , the other young girls may still have been alive today.

[@Bettertimes2025]

Such a horrible, tragic Story😢…l very much enjoy your work and l love your outfits, Sir! Greetings from Salzburg 🤗

[@daviddelarosa7420]

For someone feeble minded and didn’t understand what was going on, surely had a grasp of the difference between circumstantial and direct evidence, and planning an escaped.

[@donnadees1971]

Dear God, we lived in broadmoor in Little Rock, AR. Never knew of this history.

[@alexandradane3672]

Hello Mr. Brodie , thank you as always for the video. On a slight tangent , this case reminds me of a short story written by Evelyn Waugh - “ Mr. Loveday’s Liitle Outing” . I believe that it was based on a similar and also true case . Perhaps you might know ? Best wishes. 💐

[@karinac.3378]

Watching all the videos you posted in the last 30 days! Can’t wait to see them all!

[@jpendowski7503]

Your style in dress and speaking manner make even the commercials enjoyable. This story brings up so many ethical dilemmas we still cannot navigate fully, of culpability and mental defect. Using the old definitions does shed light on their decisions but the lack of full knowledge of his crimes makes the application useless. Cheers form the Midwest USA.

[@dawnemile7499]

Psychopath would be the modern diagnosis.

[@linusp9316]

"Psychopath" isn't a modern medical diagnosis

[@deekthefirst]

Easily the best murder mystery channel on KZbin!! 👏👏

[@barneyronnie]

Jimmy Savile spent time there during his necrophilic odyssey 😮! He loved to hang out in the morgue😅. Good old Jimmy; a proper English gent.

[@momcat2223]

Considering the darkness of this tale, starting with a giggle [specifically for that mugging at the 1:35 mark] was much apprecia6ted. I do believe this is the first time a sponsor ad has actually made me lol for real. Also, your sartorial splendor in this episode is next level.

[@user-km2ok1yf9w]

I've tried so hard to get KZbin to stop recommending you. I can't stand your accent. But it keeps recommending you. So you must be the absolute best story teller around. I really love your stories and your accent. Thank you brother for the great stories bud

[@fernandmathurin2720]

Hello paul hope everyone is fine watching from saint lucia on another beautiful hot day

[@WellINever]

Hey Fernand! Good to hear from you. All is good here :)

[@fernandmathurin2720]

@@WellINever hope the weather is kind too you have a blessed weekend

[@charmaynebruce6215]

"Instead of doom scrolling through social media", it seems not often have truer words been uttered. This is now my favourite channel. Thank you, good sir 👍🏻 I am looking forward to playing, Murder by Choice. Cheers :)

[@Feline_Frenzy53]

Paul, Thanks for telling us this story.

[@bunnymad5049]

Thank you again, for wonderful work and narration.

[@jamesross1799]

I can remember headlines years ago about this guy . BRITAIN'S OLDEST PRISONER. I suppose it must have been late 90s sort of time. They told the full story in the article about him being sentenced to death then reprived sent to Broadmoor escaped and killed again.

[@rodeastell3615]

Tragic story bur excellent video. Thank you Paul.

[@michaelrooney1454]

Very interesting story. Thank you for sharing

[@Rose-ne6xq]

Hello from Texas USA ❤ I can truly appreciate you your voice and integrity and pace of your speech. Thank you Sir ❤

[@Diana.Darling]

Thank you I enjoyed the video 👍

[@julierobinson3633]

I believe they were right not to hang him BUT it was right he was never released. He was clearly a danger to children. And regarding fitness to stand trial, he certainly knew murdering the children was wrong -or he wouldn't have denied it.

[@dianawatton7570]

Thank you Sir. Impeccable narration in every way as always. 😊 With sincere respect from Nebraska, USA

[@thebooknitter]

Great work and amazing investigation as your amwzing storytelling Paul ❤ I watch you when I knit at night

[@studiosandi]

Interesting video. Thank you so much for making it. Your persona is intriguing.

[@Carolynsweetheart]

Your work is excellent. Thank you ❤

[@jujumulligan43]

I always enjoy your videos. After I settle down, having read any emails and perhaps browsed for a bit, I love to come to this channel. I can always be assured of another well told intriguing bit about history. Thank you so much for your efforts!!!😊

[@lynnedwards1727]

While having a very basic understanding of his goals and actions, he nevertheless didn't grasp the full consequences of them, but had a childish cunning and understanding.

[@Fauna4ever]

Sir, your style is perfectly awesome!

[@theresapapola2378]

Nice hat! I think you have found your calling Paul. Yay for you, and yay for us! ❤

[@richardbarrow6606]

Love you're Deerstalker Paul, Thank You for your Channel 👍🇮🇪

[@kirkkaanoranssi2359]

It seems he wasn't as feeble-minded as it was thought. He comes across as a psychopath.

[@garry-ago-go]

I believe he was portrayed in the film mc vicar as Jeffries Was Britain longest serving prisoner at one point

[@renee1961]

Hello, again! And Thank You! Your videos are excellent, in every way!

[@Andreatheists-yy1oj]

The fact he was able to escape is one issue the other was his real prognosis.

[@spitfire1962]

My grandfather was sent to Broadmoor in 1939 for killing one of his daughters (she would have been my aunt) in a botched suicide attempt. He was suffering from depression and tried gassing himself, but he survived and his daughter who was in the house died. She was only 4.

[@rosalindchurcher8028]

A tragic story all round.