Anthony Miller (murderer)
Encyclopedia
Anthony Joseph Miller became the second-last criminal to be executed in Scotland on 22 December 1960 when he was hanged on the gallows at Glasgow's Barlinnie Prison by Harry Allen, assisted by Robert Leslie Stewart
. Miller had been convicted of murdering John Cremin at Queen's Park Recreation Ground (near Hampden Park
) in Glasgow
on 6 April 1960. At 19 years of age, Miller was the last teenager to be executed in the United Kingdom.
The murder of John Cremin was a robbery that went wrong. Miller and his accomplice James Denovan were in the habit of working together as a team, robbing gay men (also known as queer rolling). They would use Denovan (a 16 year old boy) as bait to attract victims. After Denovan had lured the victims to a secluded area of the park out of public view, Miller would suddenly appear, threatening the victims with violence unless they handed over all their valuables. During this particular robbery Cremin was beaten to death and his body hidden under bushes, where it was later discovered by a man out walking his dog.
As a 19 year old Miller was legally an adult, and because the murder took place during the course of a robbery (Cremin had been robbed of his watch, bankbook and £67), this made him eligible for the death penalty under the terms of the Homicide Act of 1957
. However, as a 16-year-old, Denovan was technically a child in the eyes of the judicial system and therefore too young to face the death penalty. As a result, Denovan was sentenced to be detained at Her Majesty's Pleasure.
Miller's execution was the last to take place at HMP Barlinnie.
A theatre play about Miller's last days in the condemned cell - Please, Mister (the title comes from Miller's alleged last words before his death) - was written by Patrick Harkins and first performed in 2010. The initial production starred Iain de Caestecker (in the role of Miller) and David Hayman
.
The last ever judicial execution in Scotland was that of Henry John Burnett
, which took place in Aberdeen on 15 August 1963.
Robert Leslie Stewart
Robert Leslie Stewart , from Edinburgh, Scotland, also known as Jock Stewart, was one of the last executioners in the United Kingdom, officiating between 1950 and 1964....
. Miller had been convicted of murdering John Cremin at Queen's Park Recreation Ground (near Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
) in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
on 6 April 1960. At 19 years of age, Miller was the last teenager to be executed in the United Kingdom.
The murder of John Cremin was a robbery that went wrong. Miller and his accomplice James Denovan were in the habit of working together as a team, robbing gay men (also known as queer rolling). They would use Denovan (a 16 year old boy) as bait to attract victims. After Denovan had lured the victims to a secluded area of the park out of public view, Miller would suddenly appear, threatening the victims with violence unless they handed over all their valuables. During this particular robbery Cremin was beaten to death and his body hidden under bushes, where it was later discovered by a man out walking his dog.
As a 19 year old Miller was legally an adult, and because the murder took place during the course of a robbery (Cremin had been robbed of his watch, bankbook and £67), this made him eligible for the death penalty under the terms of the Homicide Act of 1957
Homicide Act 1957
The Homicide Act 1957 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was enacted as a partial reform of the common law offence of murder in English law by abolishing the doctrine of constructive malice , reforming the partial defence of provocation, and by introducing the partial defences...
. However, as a 16-year-old, Denovan was technically a child in the eyes of the judicial system and therefore too young to face the death penalty. As a result, Denovan was sentenced to be detained at Her Majesty's Pleasure.
Miller's execution was the last to take place at HMP Barlinnie.
A theatre play about Miller's last days in the condemned cell - Please, Mister (the title comes from Miller's alleged last words before his death) - was written by Patrick Harkins and first performed in 2010. The initial production starred Iain de Caestecker (in the role of Miller) and David Hayman
David Hayman
David Hayman is a Scottish film and television actor and director, best known for his role as DCS Mike Walker in ITV drama Trial and Retribution. He also a prominent supporter of the SNP's call for Scottish independence....
.
The last ever judicial execution in Scotland was that of Henry John Burnett
Henry John Burnett
Henry John Burnett was the last man to be hanged in Scotland and the first in Aberdeen since 1891. He was tried at the high court in Aberdeen between 23 and 25 July 1963 for the murder of merchant seaman Thomas Guyan...
, which took place in Aberdeen on 15 August 1963.