This week 30 years ago: Jilted lover’s ferocious hammer attack in Canonbury

A jilted lover who clubbed his rival 13 times on the head with a claw hammer was jailed for five years at the Old Bailey.

Charles Gorst, 37, could not deal with the fact his three-year affair with housekeeper Marion Cannon was over.

So he burst into her flat in Alwyne Place, Canonbury, where she was watching TV with her new boyfriend, Alan McEwan, and carried out the ferocious attack.

His skull was fractured in six places and he suffered brain damage. Gorst was cleared of attempted murder but found guilty of wounding with intent. The jury’s verdict, and judge’s sentence, was met with disbelief by the victim and Ms Cannon.

Meanwhile, Holloway homeowners were furious with council leader Margaret Hodge after travellers moved into their neighbourhood “without warning”.

The people of Iseldon Road said the first they knew was when they saw caravans queuing to move to a site next to the Rainbow Theatre.