A CHANCE discovery in the archive section of Huddersfield library has led to a grisly tale of murder.

Birkby author Raymond Vickers became fascinated in Cheshire’s murderous past after picking up a second hand book which was full of facts and figures.

As he is originally from Crewe and interested in social history, Ray thought the subject would make a good book.

Now his collection of gory tales has been published.

It covers 15 appalling crimes, starting with The Warrington Gang who were hanged in 1806 for a series of robberies, rapes and murder.

The last story is called The Calladine Case, which is about a man hanged in 1923 for a series of horrific child murders.

“People seem to enjoy reading about death, doom and gloom, I think it makes them think however bad their situation is, it maybe isn’t so bad,” said Ray.

He set about researching the topic and spent several months working on it before it was finally published in September last year.

Murder and Crime, Cheshire, recalls infamous cases of death and deception including a shocking tale of a father who brutally murdered his two young children in 1856.

The final chapter features a case from Glossop which includes research from the Examiner archives.

Another story worthy of a modern crime thriller is that of a young lover who laced her father’s food with rat poisoning so that she could be with the man she desired.

There are also stories of corrupt Cheshire police officers, polygamists and mass murderers.

Ray, who is a keen railway enthusiast and has had several pieces of work about railways published before, is the secretary of Lydgate Unitarian Chapel in New Mill.

He came to Huddersfield from his native Crewe to study at Huddersfield University for a qualification in teaching further education to adults.

He then worked as a researcher for Kirklees Council and the former ICI researching the economic effects of the company on the area.

Murder and Crime Cheshire is a History Press publication, priced £9.99.