Last hangman Pierrepoint dies

ALBERT Pierrepoint, Britain's busiest hangman, has died aged 87. During his 25-year career Pierrepoint, whose father and uncle were hangmen, executed 450 people, including Ruth Ellis, John Christie and Timothy Evans, who was later pardoned. Born in Bradford, he campaigned against the return of capital punishment after his retirement. He died on Friday at a nursing home in Southport, Merseyside.