Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans were convicted of murdering John Alan West during a robbery in 1964. The crime took place in the context of a tumultuous time in Britain, where societal attitudes towards crime and punishment were evolving. Following their conviction, both men were sentenced to death, and their hanged execution occurred at Walton prison in Liverpool, making them the last individuals to face capital punishment in the UK. The event garnered significant media attention and public scrutiny, prompting widespread conversations around the death penalty's morality and effectiveness as a deterrent to crime.

Their case drew national attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the legal proceedings that followed. Despite appeals for clemency and protests against the death penalty, the execution was carried out. This moment highlighted a critical turning point in British law and public opinion, leading to a moratorium on capital punishment and ultimately its abolition in 1965. The executions, thus, became emblematic of the growing anti-death penalty sentiment within the UK.

In a broader sense, Allen and Evans's hanging signified not just the end of their lives but also acted as a catalyst for legal reform. Their case created a platform for advocacy against the death penalty, leading to a series of debates that would shape British law for decades to come. The executions are often referenced in discussions of human rights and the justice system, illustrating the complexities surrounding state-sanctioned punishment.