Lodger who had sex with Rose West hangs himself

A lodger who slept with Rose West before she and husband Fred murdered his girlfriend at their ‘house of horrors’ hanged himself because he couldn’t cope with modern life, an inquest heard.  

Benjamin Stanniland was 18 when he moved into 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester the ‘house of horrors’ which was the scene of at least ten murders.

He lived in the home between 1972 and 1973 and introduced them to their first joint victim his then-girlfriend Lynda Gough.   

Mr Stanniland had previously met Lynda in a cafe in Gloucester and brought her back to Cromwell Street during the six month period they dated.

She moved out of her parents’ house and began spending time at the home and did some babysitting for the Wests.

But in 1973 aged 19 Lynda was murdered and buried in a pit beneath a shed or garage just 3ft beneath the surface.

Mr Stanniland was a witness at the trial of Rose who will die in jail after being convicted of ten murders.

Today at an inquest into his death, the court heard how Mr Stanniland lived out his remaining years after being embroilled in the Wests murder trials in the 1990s. 

A coroner recorded a death of suicide after learning Mr Stanniland was discovered hanged in his flat in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, after suffering a series of medical and personal problems.

Mr Stanniland met Lynda Gough (left) in a cafe in Gloucester and introduced her to Fred and Rose West (right) while they were dating

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Stanniland’s sister, Anne Webber, confirmed he was a witness in the 1995 trial of Rose West,

She said he was a ‘private man,’ and a ‘free spirit’ who loved fishing and the countryside.

But Anne said she did not believe his experience at the West’s had contributed to his emotional state.

Speaking after the inquest, she said: ‘This was nothing to do with that whatsoever, that was all a long time ago.

‘This day and age was not for Ben, I think everything just got to him.’

He lived in the home on Cromwell Street in Gloucester (left) with the couple (right) between 1972 and 1973 

Mr Stanniland had been plagued by health problems including a bad back and was struggling to walk, the inquest in Gloucester was told.

He hanged himself at home after a period of ill health which made it impossible for him to leave his flat, which was not on the ground floor.

Mr Stanniland had no history of suicidal thoughts, and on the day of his death had been due to see his GP to talk about his health problems.

In the month before his death, Mrs Webber spoke to her brother regularly. He had been admitted to hospital and then discharged himself.

Two days before Mr Stanniland took his own life, the funeral of his father had been held, which he had been unable to attend.

Pictured: The property where victims were found murdered including Mr Stanniland’s girlfriend Lynda Gough 

Mrs Webber told the inquest:: ‘He called to say he was feeling really bad and was unable to go to buy food. I was shocked by his appearance.

‘I told him I was his sister and I would do anything to help him.’

Mr Stanniland told Rose’s trial in 1995 she had got into bed with him and a friend called Alan Davies on their first night at the house – the only time that they had sex with her

Mr Stanniland had previously tried to apply for more suitable housing but struggled to use a computer, the inquest was told.

A statement from his GP said: ‘He drank two litres of cider a day but did not seem to see that as a problem.’

Mr Stanniland told Rose’s trial in 1995 she had got into bed with him and a friend called Alan Davies on their first night at the house – the only time that they had sex with her.

Speaking at the time, he told a jury: ‘I can remember that in the morning we were a bit dubious about going downstairs, but Fred made it obvious that it was OK.’

Mr Stanniland met Lynda in a cafe in Gloucester and brought her back to Cromwell Street where she became a regular visitor.

Their affair ended but she then had sexual relationships with other lodgers there.

Lynda did some babysitting for the Wests but eventually he noticed she was no longer going to Cromwell Street.

Lynda is said to be the first sexually motivated killing the Wests are known to have committed together.

At the trial, Mr Stanniland said the last time he saw Lynda was when she had an argument with a fellow lodger.

Assistant coroner for Gloucestershire Caroline Saunders said: ‘Mr Stanniland was a private man who had been suffering from medical problems for some time’

Assistant coroner for Gloucestershire Caroline Saunders said: ‘Mr Stanniland was a private man who had been suffering from medical problems for some time.

‘He had been complaining of back problems that had severely impacted his mobility.

‘He had been treated for low sodium levels and alcohol detox, and a chest infection. He was due to see his GP.

‘During the weeks before his death he looked too unwell visit his father before his death, or to go to the funeral.’.

The coroner added: ‘The police officer discovered notes that seemed to be related to an application form as they showed his personal history and circumstances.

‘He had never mentioned he had thoughts of suicide. Mr Stanniland was experiencing significant life problems complicated by deteriorating health and his father had recently passed away.’

A conclusion of suicide was recorded at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court. The cause of death was given as hanging.

THE MANY VICTIMS OF SERIAL KILLERS FRED AND ROSE WEST

Tragic: Lucy Partington, the cousin of novelist Martin Amis, went missing in December 1973

Although Fred West was convicted of killing 12 women and Rose 10, the pair are thought to have killed up to 20 more.

One victim who was almost certainly killed by West was his former girlfriend Anne McFall who like the others, was found in a shallow grave with body parts missing. West denied it.

Confirmed victims include:

Charmaine West, eight: Fred West’s stepdaughter from his first marriage, Charmaine was murdered by Rose in 1971 while Fred was in prison.

Rena Costello, 27: Charmaine’s mother Rena, Fred’s first wife, was murdered when she arrived to pick up her daughter Charmaine in August 1971. With Charmaine already dead, it is thought Fred killed her to avoid an investigation.

Lynda Gough, 20: Miss Gough was a lodger in the West’s home and was killed in April 1973. Rose told her mother she had moved to Weston-super-Mare.

Carol Ann Cooper, 15: The teenager disappeared while walking home from the cinema to her Worcester children’s home in November 1973. Her remains were found buried in the Wests’ garden.

Lucy Partington, 21: After spending Christmas with her family in Cheltenham, Miss Partington disappeared after leaving to catch a bus. The student was the cousin of novelist Martin Amis and the sister of author Marian Partington.

Therese Siegenthaler, 22: The South London student was killed in April 1974 after disappearing while attempting to hitch-hike to Ireland.

Shirley Hubbard, 15: One of the Wests’ youngest victims, she disappeared on her way home from college in Droitwich. When her body was discovered, her head was completely covered in tape with a rubber tube placed in her mouth to allow her to breathe.

Juanita Mott, 18: Miss Mott, a former lodger at 25 Cromwell Street, was living in Newent when she vanished.

Shirley Robinson, 19: Another lodger, Miss Robinson was killed in 1978 after becoming pregnant with West’s child.

Alison Chambers, 17: The teenager disappeared in August 1979 and her remains were later found beneath the patio at 25, Cromwell Street.

Heather West, 17: Repeatedly raped by her father, Heather complained to friends about the abuse and was murdered by her parents in a bid to keep her quiet.