Over 150 years ago, a murder took place on a winter's evening in a Stafford pub.

On 13 March 1875, John Stanton, 23, appeared in court accused of murdering his uncle Thomas Nield.

Both shoemakers, Stanton and Nield were drinking at the Dog and Partridge pub in Stafford on the night of the incident (Saturday 16 January 1875).

The building still exists today, although it is now a dental practice.

The two men had been drinking and playing cards for several hours when they began to argue.

According to a contemporary article in the Manchester Times, Stanton later claimed that Nield had called him "bad names", "struck at him" and "accused him of starving his wife".

Stanton then returned to his lodgings where he was seen grabbing a short, sharp pointed knife from a fellow-lodger's work-bench.

He then returned to the Dog and Partridge where Nield approached him, offering him a drink in an attempt to settle their differences.

Then, according to a newspaper, "without any more words having been said, he [Stanton] rose from his seat, and holding the knife in his right hand suddenly plunged it into Nield's left breast, inflicting a deadly wound in the region of the heart."

Four men witnessed the murder but were unable to stop Stanton from escaping the pub and disposing of the knife in a nearby garden.

However, he was quickly caught by police before he could leave Stafford.

During his arrest, Stanton passed an acquaintance in the street and said to him "Goodbye Jack; you'll never see me anymore.

"They have got me.

"I have committed murder."

Nield died at around 8am the next morning (17 January 1875) , despite efforts to save him.

The 49-year-old had a wife and three young children.

Stanton made a statement explaining that his uncle had provoked him, however he concluded "I know, I have done it, and am willing to suffer for it."

He was found guilty by the jury and was sentenced to death.

On 30 March 1875, Stanton was executed at H M Prison Stafford, leaving behind his wife of just six months.

His last words were reported as being "God be merciful to me, a sinner."