Murder of Thomas Bates

The murder of Thomas Bates occurred during an armed robbery in Birmingham, England, on 2 June 1962. Oswald Grey was convicted of the crime, and became the last person hanged at the city's Winson Green Prison. Grey maintained his innocence and doubt remains as to whether or not there was sufficient evidence against him.

Thomas Arthur Bates, aged 46, ran a newsagent's shop at 196 Lee Bank Road (now Lee Bank Middleway) in Birmingham's Edgbaston district. At 6:30 pm on Saturday, 2 June 1962, a 19-year-old Jamaican baker called Oswald Augustus Grey, of Cannon Hill Road in that city, carried out a robbery at the shop, during which event he shot Bates in the upper chest. Grey then made his escape by a number 8 (Inner Circle) bus.

Grey was convicted on 13 October 1962, after the jury deliberated for just 50 minutes, and was immediately sentenced to death. Grey filed for appeal within days. His solicitor, Mr. F. G. Owen, claimed the weight of the evidence against Grey was insufficient for a guilty verdict and death sentence. The English Court of Criminal Appeals, consisting of the Lord Chief Justice Lord Parker of Waddington, Mr. Justice Gorman and Mr. Justice Salmon, dismissed the appeal on 29 October.

Grey was executed by hanging on the gallows at Winson Green Prison on Tuesday, 20 November 1962 by Harry Allen and his assistant. He was the last person executed there, and in the city. In attendance were prison governor John Richards and prison doctor Dr. P.M. Costa, plus eight uniformed officers and plain-clothed detectives.