Although murders such as those committed by Jack the Ripper were shocking, and were given plenty of press coverage, there were, nonetheless, plenty of other murders that took place in London at the time.
There were stories of mothers and fathers killing their children. of husbands killing their wives, and so on and so forth.
The South Wales Echo, on Monday the 15th of May 1893, broke the news of the murder of a father by his son:-
MURDER IN LONDON
HORRIBLE PATRICIDE
AGED FATHER STABBED
A shocking murder was committed early this morning in a room at 30, Hercules-road, Kennington, London, tenanted by Patrick Gavan, aged 60, a compositor at Messrs Clowes and Sons, and who has two sons – Joseph, aged 24, and John, aged 18, also compositors.
The three, who were known as quiet and respectable persons, retired to rest at half-past eleven last night, but about twenty minutes past midnight Joseph was awakened by hearing a scuffling noise in the room, and saw by the aid of a street lamp that his father and brother were wrestling together in their nightshirts.
HIS FATHER HAD BEEN STABBED
Joseph immediately struck a light, and was then horrified to see his father lying on his face on the floor with a formidable knife, such as those used by chefs, buried to the hilt in his back.
Blood was flowing from the wound, but death must have been instantaneous.
Joseph at once ordered his brother to dress himself, and took him to the police station, where he was formally charged.
A medical man proceeded to the house, where he saw Gavan’s body, and pronounced life extinct.
A PREMEDITATED MURDER
Enquiries tend to show that the murder was premeditated.
During the past week the prisoner, who appears unconcerned at his position, was heard to say that his father had placed vermin powder in his bread and butter, and it has been ascertained that he purchased the knife some days since and covered the handle with paper bound round with thread, apparently with the purpose of being able to secure a firm grip.
PRISONER BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES
The prisoner was brought before the magistrate at Lambeth Police Court this afternoon.
Inspector Martin said that the prisoner, when charged at the station, stated that he was compelled to kill his father, because his father and brother were conspiring to poison him, and that he intended serving the brother the same way, but the brother was too ‘cute.
The prisoner, who said he had no questions to ask, was remanded for a week.
HIS NEXT COURT APPEARANCE
The Luton Times and Advertiser, on Friday the 26th of May 1893, published a very brief update on the case:-
At Lambeth Police Court on Monday, John Gavan 18, a compositor, of Hercules-road. Lambeth, was charged on remand, before Mr. Hopkins, with the wilful murder of his father, Patrick Gavan.
Upon being told by his worship that be would be committed for trial, the prisoner exclaimed, “I never did intend to murder my father.”
DECLARED INSANE
The Yorkshire Evening Post, on Wednesday the 31st of May, 1893, published details of the conclusion of the case when John Gavan appeared at the Old Bailey.
John Gavan, who fatally stabbed his father in Lambeth, was found insane at the Old Bailey to-day, and ordered to detained during Her Majesty’s pleasure.