Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Derek Bentley & the Death Penalty: Case Study (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Natasha Smith
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Derek Bentley and the Death Penalty: Case Study – Timeline & Summary
Derek Bentley was a young man with severe learning difficulties. At 19, he had the mental age of a ten-year-old child. |
The Events of Derek Bentley’s Execution, 1952
Trial and Punishment of Derek Bentley
Though Bentley did not fire the fatal shot, both Bentley and Craig were put on trial for murder under joint enterprise
Given Bentley’s severe learning difficulties, many felt that he should not give evidence
Much of the trial centred around the ambiguity of Bentley saying “Let him have it”
Bentley and Craig both denied that Bentley said this
Bentley’s lawyer argued that, even if Bentley had said this, he could have been encouraging Craig to hand over his gun, not encouraging him to shoot
The judge turned down appeals for mercy from both the jury and Bentley’s lawyer
Both Bentley and Craig were found guilty of murder
The table below outlines what happened to Craig and Bentley after their convictions
What were the consequences of Craig and Bentley’s convictions?
Chris Craig | Derek Bentley |
|---|---|
At 18 years of age, he was too young to legally be hanged | At 19 years of age, he was old enough to legally be hanged |
He was not sentenced to death | He was sentenced to death |
He served ten years in prison | He was hanged at Wandsworth Prison |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Many students know the events of the Derek Bentley case well but do not always demonstrate knowledge of how the case contributed to a change in attitudes. Remember to think about the impact of the case, as well as the events.
Significance of the Derek Bentley Case
Initial reactions
Bentley’s death sentence led to an outcry from
Politicians
Around 200 MPs signed a memorandum asking Home Secretary Sir David Maxwell Fyfe to cancel the execution
This was refused
Ordinary people
A gathering of 5000 protesters chanted ‘murder’ outside Wandsworth Prison on the day of Bentley’s execution
Some ripped down the death notices on the prison gates and clashed with the police
Two were arrested for property damage
The abolition of the death penalty
The reaction to Bentley’s case contributed to arguments against the death penalty
Many argued that like the case of Timothy Evans, Bentley’s case was a miscarriage of justice
Three years after Bentley’s execution, the use of the death penalty was further criticised in the case of Ruth Ellis
Ellis shot and killed David Blakely, with whom she had been in an abusive relationship
She had been severely beaten and suffered a miscarriage
Despite her technical guilt, the public deeply sympathised with Ellis, and many objected to her execution
Alongside other factors, these high-profile cases meant that the death penalty was eventually abolished
Worked Example
Describe one feature of the significance of the Derek Bentley case
2 marks
Answers:
Initial reactions to the Derek Bentley case were marked by strong disapproval from the public. (1) Around five thousand protesters gathered outside Wandsworth Prison on the day of Bentley’s execution, chanting ‘murder’ (1).
Examiner Tips and Tricks
This question previously asked students to describe two features of a given event. This question was out of four marks. However, as of 2025, Edexcel will split this question into two subsections, asking you to describe a feature of two different events. Each subsection is worth two marks.
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