The Pottery Cottage Murders: The first-hand account of a family held hostage

by Carol Ann Lee, Peter Howse

A psychopathic criminal on the run from prison. A family of five held hostage in their home. A frantic police manhunt across the snowbound Derbyshire moors. Just one survivor.


The definitive account of the terrifying 1977 Pottery Cottage murders that shocked Britain.

For three days, escaped prisoner Billy Hughes played macabre psychological games with Gill Moran and her family, keeping them in separate rooms of their home while secretly murdering them one by one. On several occasions Hughes ordered Gill and her husband Richard to leave the house for provisions, confident that they would return without betraying him in order to protect their loved ones.

Blizzards hampered the desperate police search, but they learned where the dangerous convict was hiding and closed in on the cottage. A high-speed car chase on icy roads ended with a crash and the killer being shot as he swung a newly sharpened axe at his final victim. This was Britain's first instance of police officers committing 'justifiable homicide' against an escapee.

The story of these terrible events is told here by Carol Ann Lee and Peter Howse, the former chief inspector who saved Gill Moran's life over forty years ago.

Peter's professional role has permitted access to witness statements, crime scene photographs and police reports. Peter Howse and Carol Ann Lee have made use of these, along with fresh interviews with many of those directly involved, to tell a fast-paced and truly shocking story with great insight and empathy.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Audiobook

304 pages, Paperback

Expected publication December 31, 2029

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating true crime story. It helped that I knew nothing of the case beforehand so the suspense of what was to take place was heightened for me. Even the first section, the killer's background, is engrossing and highly readable. The sequences at the farmhouse are unbearably distressing and the climax leaves you feeling almost numb. As good a 'true crime' story as I've ever read, with no wonky or extraneous sections, just chapter after chapter that leaves you wanting to find out what happened next.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was only a sample read

[Nick Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst reading about people killed in the UK at the hands of police actions, I chanced upon a reference to this case from shortly before I was born, and not knowing anything about it I thought this book would make an intriguing true crime read, available as an ebook as it was.

In truth this story of an escaped violent criminal and the events of him taking a family hostage in a rural Derbyshire cottage was interesting. The author does a very sound job of telling the tale, and the book is clearly excellently researched, and very fair and balanced. I'm probably slightly guilty of hypocricy here, but I maybe wanted a little more from the reading experience - for all that sometimes I feel some non fiction books I have read have been too keen to add human interest and more colourful description, this I felt was a touch too dry and factual in places.

It did however make for a thought-provoking read, made me wonder how I would behave were I in the shoes of the hostaged family, made me thoughtful about what might have been done better in terms of policing and policy.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first quarter of this book is a somewhat tedious recitation featuring the life and crimes of an English ne'er do well, but after he escapes custody and holds a family hostage (in a real life DESPERATE HOURS situation), the story becomes almost unbearably suspenseful.

[Helen Carolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

January 1977 was one of the worst winters ever in the U.K. Billy Hughes escaped from prison while on his way to a court hearing in Chesterfield. He made his way across the peak district in dreadful weather and pitched up at Pottery cottage. Here lived Gill and Richard Moran with their daughter Sarah and Gill's parents Amy and Arthur Minton. This was their dream home and they'd just spent an idyllic christmas there. Now Hughes had arrived. He spent 3 days at the house,one by one killing all the family. When he finally fled Gill the only member still alive was taken with him. Police gave chase and some miles across the peaks Hughes was cornered and shot dead. This is the story of those few days. It makes at times for heart-breaking reading. Gill continued to believe for the entire 3 days that all her family were still safe, when in reality her father and daughter had been killed during Hughes's first night in the house. As usual Ms Lee does a wonderful job of telling the back story of all those involved. Terrific read.

[Jo Birkinshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this down having grown up with police officers from parents who told me this story it was great to find out the finer details to a truly horrific story.

[Catherine Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic yet fascinating read

Well-written account of a terrifying ordeal that occurred in 1977. As a resident of Chesterfield, I could picture many of the places involved thanks to the detailed descriptions. Incredible and tragic that this is a true story.

[Colin Garrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

In January 1977, escaped prisoner Billy Hughes entered the home of Gill Moran and her family, threatening their lives. Keeping them in separate rooms, he secretly murdered five members of the family one by one. After three days, Hughes took Gill with him to flee, but by then police were closing in. A high-speed chase ended with Hughes crashing his vehicle and threatening to kill his hostage, while police attempted to persuade him to let her go…

Carol Ann Lee and former detective chief inspector Peter Howse, tell the story of the horrific murders that shocked the nation, and how Billy Hughes was able to lull Gill Moran into the belief that she could keep her family safe if she followed the killer’s instructions. As with all of Ms Lee’s true crime books, the story is told with great sensitivity and superb attention to detail, including recent interviews, news, and other official reports. The details of the murders are disturbing, not only due to the senseless nature of the crimes but in the killer’s apparent ease with which he was able to steal a knife while in prison and use it to escape by wounding the two prison officers transporting him to court. Charting the man’s criminal history and the rise of violence in his crimes, the authors point to failures in the prison and legal systems which allowed him to escape jail and murder three generations of one family.

A shocking and disturbing book.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most heartbreaking and anger-inducing books I've ever read. I found myself having to tear myself away from the book as it made me eager to find out what happened next. Gill is so brave for what she went through and I have no idea how she survived the slaughter of her family. How anyone can kill a defenceless child, I have no idea. May Hughes rot in hell!

I hadn't heard of the Pottery Cottage Murders until last year and have wanted to read this book ever since. The crime seems to have evaporated into the distant memory of our world like Gill wanted it to, an no one can blame her for that as this is her story. I'd have liked for there to have been a little more written about the history of the family, rather than a chapter focussing on the perpetrator.

[Cleopatra Pullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had never heard of this case prior to seeing that Carol Ann Lee was bringing out a book alongside a former Chief Inspector who worked on the case. Sadly although I'm sure he bought many of the details that allowed this story to be finally told, I think perhaps there was just too much which in many ways added a layer of opinion rather than allowing the reader to see the case unfold.

For all that this is an incredible story of an out and out criminal who wrought mayhem on a family... it is not for the faint-hearted

[Natasha Mairs (Serenity You) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a real life true crime story written like a novel about the Pottery Cottage Murders. I have only recently heard about these murders and very surprised as they actually happened not far at all from where I live.

A man managed to escape from jail and takes refuge at Pottery Cottage holding the occupations hostage in their own home. This book goes in to detail about what happened at the cottage and it really felt like I was reading a non-fiction crime thriller.

This was a great book and I really can't believe what actually happened to the family. Really shocking.

5/5 stars.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

ISBN:978-1-47214-393-8

Publisher, and date of publication. (Robinson: March 2020)

A shocking crime that took place in the winter of 1977 tells us why William Thomas Hughes became, possibly the first person to be shot dead by the Derbyshire police force. Written by Carol Ann Lee the author of The Murders at White House Farm, and the former chief inspector Peter Howse of the Pottery Cottage Murders.
Whilst the winter blizzards swept across the moors, a taxi with uniformed officers was taking prisoner, 30-year-old William Thomas Hughes to court for one last time. Referred to by the newspapers as Mad Billy he was due to be sentenced for several years for rape and assault. Before reading this book, I had read newspaper articles detailing the many crimes committed by William Thomas Hughes. Billy was my relative but never spoken about. I was interested to find out why he had turned to a life of crime from the age of twelve, stealing, fighting, getting high on drink and drugs, and going on to commit his last but most horrific crime.
The book starts with a historical and chronological order of events, it takes the reader through the hardship’s families faced in Derbyshire during the depression. How the industry changed and the problems that came after the war. The book takes you through Billy Hughes childhood and his relationships. It clearly shows that there were failings within the prison system, and it gravitates the reader towards how poorly Hughes was treated and spoken of by professionals within the care system. It is with references to interviews given by witnesses, family, and friends of those involved, who knew him and the survivor Gill Moran. Hughes' wife Jean and daughter are sensitivity interviewed and had given their accounts. It details his court appearances and prison sentences, and Peter Howse was given permission by the police force to use this information, which gives highly informative accounts taking you into Hughes troubled world.
Although the book uses factual prose, it has dramatised the hostage ordeal. To describe one's thoughts, feelings, and actions-which can only be interpreted by the victims or Billy Hughes- turns this book into a novel though cleverly draws you into the horrific crime that took place. Only Gill Moran, the sole survivor could give an accurate account. It shockingly demonstrates how easy it was for Hughes to manipulate and kill four family members including a child aged ten.
The authors are very considerate to all those mentioned and approached everyone in a tactful manner, even Billy Hughes. The book concludes by telling you about the lives of those left behind, and how they moved forward from the aftermath.
However, Gill Moran's family have stressed that Gill did not give permission or take part in the book and it has caused her undue stress. Sometime after the murders, speculation and untruths about Gill Moran's part in this nightmare spread and she was falsely accused by the public and condemned by the press of knowing the killer, maybe Peter Howse felt it kinder to explore this.
It is an exceptionally good read but bear in mind it is a subjective view of an officer who was involved in the case. Is it possible for a bullet to bounce off a man’s head that he had to be shot several times which eventually killed him? Was the knife found in a nearby field, really that of the prisoner? Does it matter? William Thomas Hughes committed murder. The book also contains information that I did not know and photographs, including a mortuary picture of Billy Hughes which I found distasteful. Some aspects of the book in my opinion are fact and the rest fiction, you as the reader will need to pull the book apart to separate them.

[David Gilchrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written true crime story. The settings and the early information of the people involved really make this a very well told and accurate relating of the murders. Enough violence to ensure that we understand the events, but not gratuitous..Well done the authors.

[Alex Lily Curtis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was... bored. And this is probably unfair, but I found myself frustrated that all the hostages seemed to blindly trust the dangerous escaped murderer and didn't use the multiple opportunities given to them to raise the alarm?!

[shirley price · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intelligent and revealing insight into the mind of a twisted psychopath. The author writes well and it is the kind of book that stays with you.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling reading, and an unimaginable true life event.
Having read the excerpt in the Mail on Saturday, I felt drawn to buy and read the book.

[Camila Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol Ann never lets me down, such a gripping read you can’t let go off the book until you’ve finished!

[Clare 45 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had heard the stories over the years so thought I would read about it! I must say he was a very sick twisted individual who should never have been allowed to mix with any people!

[Elaine Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disturbing true story, with great detail makes you think how could that possibly happen?

[D. Cardwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book and knowing the family when living in Preston was a very gruesome read no doubt factual but very thorough was disappointed that the book ended at 72 % and no pictures were available waiting to see if I can get a copy of the book

[Emma Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I drive past this house regularly, and after this book i get the chills every time.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.

[Alden Cottage · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am Gill Morans daughter. Peter Howse and Carol Ann Lee did not and do not have my mothers permission to write this book. My mother has not seen or spoken to Peter Howse in over forty years. It is extremely distressing as we are a very private family and the authors seem to be trading on the fact they had permission. LIES. The heartbreak, hurt and pain this is causing my family, especially my elderly mother is unforgivable.