The man accused of murdering “Father Christmas” appeared in court this week 60 years ago.
George William Collier, 67, of Queensbridge Road stood accused of killing Edgar Adams, 63, who lived at the same address.
Mr Adams was a bearded beggar who was known in Shoreditch as “Father Christmas”.
His body was found in a locked room in the “decrepit” house where they lived with four others.
His skull had been hit with a hatchet and was badly fractured.
Collier claimed he had seen blood marks inside the front door eight weeks earlier, and he believed Mr Adams could have been in a fight, but retracted this.
When police asked him later if he know anything about Mr Adams, he told them: “I’m fed up. I know a few things, but I’m keeping them to myself.”
He then alleged that two men who had got over a wall at the back of the house were responsible for the attack.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here