Probably the most infamous crime ever committed in Spondon was the 19th century murder of Enoch Stone.

On the night of June 23, 1856, Enoch Stone, a 49-year-old framework knitter and musician from Spondon, was found on Nottingham Road with severe head injuries. This quiet but popular local had been the victim of a terrible assault and robbery.

Derby Police, the Spondon Constable and village doctor Dr James Cade (owner and resident of the Homestead at the time) were called to the scene. Enoch was transferred by cart back to his home in Chirch Street, Spondon and was tended to through the night by Dr Cade. Sadly though, Enoch died of his injuries at 6am the next morning. He was buried two days later in Chapel Street Cemetery.

A Police investigation began into the murder and, on July 1st, Reward Notices were displayed offering the princely sum of £120 for information leading to the assailants capture - the Government offering £100 and Spondon Parishioners the remaining £20. It produced various leads but no culprits were ever found. On 21st July 1856, an inquest held at the Malt Shovel Inn closed the case.

Such was the infamy of the crime that a memorial stone was later laid on the exact site on Nottingham Road where Enoch was found, just past Raynesway Island on the corner of Oregon Way. The stone, pictured above (click the photo for a larger view), is engraved with the initials E.S. Also, just off Oregon Way, stands Enoch Stone Drive - both lasting tributes to Spondon's most well-known victim of crime.

The above account is based on researched text together with postings by Bill Slater and Ken Porter on the Spondon Online Message Board

Read more about the history of Spondon:

A brief history of Spondon

The Homestead

Locko Park

Spondon War Heroes

Spondon World War II Stories

Local History Web Links

And also at Ken Porter's excellent and highly recommended

"A Village Remembered" website