Attempted Murderer, Robert Hichens
Hichens returned to Torquay on November 12, 1933, to carry out his murderous plan. He told an acquaintance in Torquay, “I have come down to do Henley and myself.” He showed the revolver to another friend, who tried to dissuade Hichens. By 10pm that night, Hichens had visited three pubs. Drunk, he went to Henley’s home.
Hichens and Henley fought over money Hichens still owed, and Hichens shot Henley in the head. Bad aim and good luck spared Henley; the shot missed his skull. Hichens second shot missed entirely. Henley punched Hichens in the face and escaped to the police station. While under arrest, Hichens tried to cut his wrists. After four years in prison for the attempt on Henley, Hichens found work on a cargo ship, the English Trader. He died at age 58 on the ship in 1940, rest the end of a troubled life.
