Birmingham Daily Post – Tuesday 10 March 1976
Girl barrister in death
An “extremely goodlooking” woman barrister was found dead yesterday at a judges home.
Beside the body of Miss Jill Bannister, aged 30, were tablets, bottles and a note. Police said foul play had been ruled out. She was found by Mr. Robert Flach, a 54-year-old deputy circuit Judge, at his home in Myddleton Square, Clerkenwell, London.
Mr. Flach married and was divorced twice. His second wife, Ann, was the former wife of the Irish peer Lord Crofton, who in turn married Mr. Flach’s first wife.
Mr. Flach’s second marriage ended in divorce in 1971. Lord Crofton died about two years ago.
Popular Miss Bannister qualified as a barrister in 1969 but never practised. She went to London Sessions as a court clerk and transferred to the Old Bailey in September, 1972 where she had worked ever since, sitting in court with most of the judges there.
She was extremely good looking and highly popular, said Mr. Richard Pickering, deputy administrator at the Old Bailey: She was efficient and respected by the judges. “We know of no reason for it. It is a complete mystery to us.” he said.
“When I spoke to her on Monday night she was perfectly all right, happy and cheerful. She came to me at 5.15 p.m. after doing some office work and asked if she could go home. She seemed quite cheerful and looking forward to life.
Miss Bannister was found lying on the floor in a reception room at Mr Flach’s home.
Mr Flach stood as a Labour candidate fro Eastleigh, Hampshire in 1970, but was beaten by a Conservative, Mr david Price by more than 8000 votes.
Austrian born, Mr Flach was junior defence counsel for George Ince, the man first accused and late acquitted of the Barn Restaurant murder in 1973.
LEASE
Mr Flach had just taken out a lease on the four storey terraced house where Miss Bannister was found.
A spokesman for the company which owns the properties in Myddelton Square said Mr Flach had taken out a long term lease on number 23 about nine days previously.
Miss Bannister used to live in a flat owned by the company
- To visit the full Genealogy Page please click on:- Flach
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