Herbert Hayward

Herbert Hayward was found dead at Whittingham Hospital on 31 July 1963.

He had been a mental patient at the hospital and was found dead with a head injury at the roadside in the hospital grounds.

However, his post mortem stated that his head injury might not have been connected with his death, it being later stated that it was thought that he had been either dead or dying when the blow to his head was struck.

A 15-year-old Liverpool youth, who was alleged to have struck the blow, was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

A detective said that after Herbert Hayward was found that he interviewed the youth who told him that Herbert Hayward had made an indecent suggestion to him and that there had been a struggle. He said that the youth said:

A doctor that examined the wound to Herbert Hayward's head said that it had been a one inch cut, and trivial, and that his death had been due to heart failure. However, he added that he could not say whether his head injury had been caused during life and that he thought that Herbert Hayward might have been dead or dying when he received it.

He said that his death could have been caused by a sudden emotion or injury.

Herbert Hayward had been from Worcestershire and Southport and had been a patient at the hospital for over 20 years.

His inquest, held on Wednesday 21 August 1963, returned an open verdict.