Age, Biography and Wiki

Guenther Podola was born on 8 February, 1929 in Berlin, Germany, is a Guenther Fritz Erwin Podola was born petty thief. Discover Guenther Podola's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 30 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation Thief
Age 30 years old
Zodiac Sign Aquarius
Born 8 February, 1929
Birthday 8 February
Birthplace Berlin, Germany
Date of death 5 November, 1959
Died Place HMP Wandsworth, London, England
Nationality Berlin

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 8 February. He is a member of famous with the age 30 years old group.

Guenther Podola Height, Weight & Measurements

At 30 years old, Guenther Podola height not available right now. We will update Guenther Podola's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
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Guenther Podola Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Guenther Podola worth at the age of 30 years old? Guenther Podola’s income source is mostly from being a successful . He is from Berlin. We have estimated Guenther Podola's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income

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Timeline

1929

Guenther Fritz Erwin Podola (8 February 1929 – 5 November 1959, alias Mike Colato) was a German-born petty thief, and the last man to be hanged in the UK for killing a police officer.

His trial was notable and controversial because of his defence of amnesia and the use of expert witnesses to determine whether his illness was real.

Podola was born in Berlin, Germany.

He was a fanatical member of the Hitler Youth movement.

1952

Podola moved to Canada in August 1952.

1957

On 1 March 1957 he was sentenced to 10 days' imprisonment following a conviction for burglary in Montreal.

Then on 26 March he was sentenced for another 11 counts of theft and burglary and imprisoned for 2 years.

1958

On 25 July 1958 Podola was released and deported back to West Germany.

1959

Podola moved to London on 21 May 1959.

He assumed the alias of Mike Colato and pretended to be a gangster.

He broke into the house of an American model, Verne Schiffmann in Roland Gardens, and stole jewellery and furs worth £2,000.

He offered to return her possessions for £500, but she notified the police who attempted to arrest Podola on 12 July 1959 in Kensington.

Podola shot one of the officers, Detective Sergeant Raymond Purdy, through the heart with a Radom 9mm semi-automatic pistol, after he ran into a house at 105 Onslow Square.

He was later apprehended and Podola claimed he was beaten up by the police and, as a result, lost his memory of events.

The police claimed that he was merely hit on the head when they broke down the door to his hotel room.

The start of the trial was delayed for nine days while a jury heard evidence of whether Podola was medically fit to stand trial.

After 3 1⁄2 hours of deliberation, they decided he was.

A fresh jury was called to hear the trial itself which commenced on 18 July 1959.

When asked for his plea, he replied: "I do not remember the crime for which I stand accused ... I am unable to answer the charges."

He was defended by Frederick Lawton QC.

Neurologist Michael Ashby gave evidence as an expert medical witness at his trial, as did psychiatrist Archibald Leigh, who claimed Podola was feigning his illness.

The jury took 38 minutes to find Podola guilty of murder, and he was sentenced to death by the trial judge, Mr Justice Edmund Davies.

He later confessed his guilt.

The Home Secretary, Rab Butler, under a little-known and little-used power, referred the case to the Court of Criminal Appeal, which upheld the conviction.

The Attorney-General's refusal of leave to appeal to the House of Lords brought the case to a close in a fresh outburst of public controversy.

Podola was hanged at Wandsworth Prison at 9:45 a.m. on 5 November 1959.

He was buried in the prison graveyard (grave 59).

His execution took place five years before the last execution of any criminal and six years before the suspension and later abolition of the death penalty.