Charles Levett murder 1971

On the 26th of June, 1971 Charles Levett, the manager of the men's outfitters Baldock's at 34 George Street, was murdered at 18 St. Mary's Road, his home after an evening where he, two brothers and their Swedish girlfriends had been watching home movies. In total fourteen stab wounds were inflicted on Charles Levett. The attack by Keith was so severe that no fewer than four knives snapped in the course of the assault.

The two brothers, Alan and Keith Langham, aged 21 and 20 respectively, from Eastbourne were ultimately sentenced to life for the crime in November 1971. The sentence imposed on the brothers was, as may be expected, appealed; however the grounds for appeal are worthy of note - in the submissions made, it was claimed that the original trial judge had fallen asleep during the trial. This allegation was quite simply refuted - the appeal judges finding that the original judge's summing up of evidence was impeccable so it was impossible for him to have been asleep.