Overview

Brighton Town Hall was built in 1830 and had never been investigated before CaSPIR's first investigation on 16th June 2007.  Six years after it was built it was the crime scene of a brutal murder and has since been the centre of alleged paranormal activity. 

Brighton Town Hall included the town's first police station, located in the basement of the building. A few years after the opening of the Town Hall, the police station became infamous as the only police station in the UK where the Chief Constable was murdered in his own office - a singular fact which remains to this day.

In 1836, Henry Solomon was made Chief Constable of Brighton police. He was a Jewish man, which makes his appointment a notable one for the period. He was also a watchmaker by profession which was a family trade.

On March 13, 1844, John Lawrence and another man were arrested for stealing a carpet from a shop in St. James's Street. Lawrence was then taken to the Town Hall where Solomon tried to question him. The chief constable induced him to sit by the fire to calm down as Lawrence seemed uptight. Three other officials were present in the room at the time, but they failed to keep an eye on Lawrence.

When left for a moment in his agitated state he suddenly shot up, crossed to the open fire, grabbed a poker and struck Solomon so hard on the side of the head that it caused a deep wound and also bent the poker. Lawrence was charged, publicly tried and found guilty at Lewes Assize Court. He was publicly hanged at a gallows outside Horsham prison on April 6th. It is interesting to note - in view of the small Sussex Jewish population - that three Jurors were excused service at the trial at Lewes on the grounds of their Jewish faith.

Solomon died from his injuries the day after the attack at his own home leaving a widow and nine children. A local appeal raised a large sum for their welfare with the Brighton Commissioners giving £500 and Queen Victoria £50. It should be noted that in 1844 this was a very substantial sum indeed.

The former officer's ghost reportedly haunts the basement, while the upper parts of the building are allegedly haunted by a monk; a remnant from when a monastery previously stood on the site.

Horsham gaol saw its last execution on the 6^th April 1844 and was demolished a few months later. The former prison site in the Carfax is presently occupied by Horsham's main post office.

Previous Reported Activity 

• Sounds of footsteps heard in the building when no one but security are present

• Figures seen in the Bike Room area

• Ladies being locked in the ladies toilets

• Voices heard in the building when no one is present except security

• EVP’s caught on Video footage

• Shadow of and sound of dog heard in foyer and on 1st floor

• Heavy Fire door opening on it’s own

• Feelings of uneasiness in certain areas

• Figure of a monk reported

 We regret that we cannot offer a full report on this location at present.

...click here to review our evidence from our 16/06/07 visit

 

 

© County Society for Paranormal Investigation and Research - 2008

Last Updated 20/10/2008