Trial of Craig and Bentley

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Christopher Craig, age 16, and Derek Bentley, age 19, were charged with the death of a police officer, Sidney Miles, during a botched attempt at burglary in Croydon in 1952. Though Craig was without doubt the ringleader, it was Bentley who was executed, despite having the mental development of an 11 year old. While the jacket blurb states the case is "a sad reflection on the recklessness and wickedness of certain young people of the post-war era" many people felt that Bentley was wrongfully convicted. Due to inconsistencies in evidence and misdirection by the judge at trial, Bentley was eventually given a posthumous pardon in 1993. The text of the trial will allow readers to judge for themselves. Show more