Although Sandwich is world famous it is a peaceful place

Not much happens in Sandwich

But that was not the case in April 1960 when a tragic killing occurred

It involved a girl and two boys all aged eighteen

Ray Thomas had been going out with Jessie Sparks for over a year

They were planning a future together but then it all changed

As soon as Charles Clinton appeared on the scene

Jessie took a liking to him and cooled her romance with Ray

This tore her former boyfriend apart and he decided to take action

He stole his fathers service revolver and threatened Charles

Reports note that the older boy mocked Ray for weeping

He was shot four times and fell into the River Stour

Ray threw the revolver into the river and immediately surrendered

Sadly Charles died in hospital four days later from his wounds

Because of his age and the circumstances of his crime

Ray avoided the ultimate sanction

But was sentenced to life imprisonment

He was released quietly in November 1968

And was last seen in Mansfield just over a decade later

Jessie Sparks still lives in Sandwich but few people remember

The awful outcome of later became known as the Sandwich Triangle



from Forgotten Crimes (2017)