MURDERED ON A BEACH.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1920, Page 10

MURDERED ON A BEACH.

YOUNG GIRL VICTIM. FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND. London, Jan. 20. The body of a young girl, Kathleen Breaks, was found on a lonely beach between Blackpool and St. Anne's-on-Sea ■with stab wounds in the neck and head. Her wounds showed that she had been stunned and then shot while lying on the ground. A revolver that was found was alleged, to have been sold to Frederick Rothwell Holt, a former Army officer. Who was charged with the murder. The evidence at the inquest revealed that Holt and Breaks occupied a room at Bradford as man and wife. Breaks insured her life on November 2S for £SOOO, and revoked her will; making another bequeathing the insurance and jewellery to Holt. By remarkable detective work the footprints of the man and woman were traced in the wet sand for miles to the lonely spot at St. Anne's-on-Sca, where the body was found. Hero the path narrowed, and it was impossible for two to walk abreast. The woman's footsteps abruptly terminated, and the man's continued north, making a wide detour and turning back to St. Anne's-on-Sea, "where they were traced to t'i» vicinity of the jpo'. where the revolver was picicej up. The boots of Holt and Breaks fitted the impressions made in the sand, and Holt's room contained a pair'of boots covered with wet sand, while a pair of bloodstained gauntlets found on the sands were identified as belonging to Holt. The interest in the Breaks tragedy is strongly sustained owing to the p'eeuliar complications. Letters read at the inquest. indicate that Breaks was passionately attached to Holt, and was ready to yield absolutely to his influence. The superintendent of the Atlas Insurance Company describe.! th? prows,ll that Holt made to injure himself' a'id Breaks for £IO,OOO each. Holt suggested his intention to marry Breaks and treat, the insurances as marriage settlements. He explained that the woman had heard that her husband was missin" and supposed killed. ° Holt proposed to pay both premiums. The company appeared suspicious, questioned the largeness of the policies, and ultimately declined to insure Breaks, j Holt was committed for trial cu the of nuje iurymer