In 1610 a tragic event took place. Beside the gaol stood Markeaton Brook and following a period of heavy rain the brook burst its banks. Water flowed directly into the prison, causing it to flood. It was to be a terrifying experience for the three prisoners held in the gaol who, having nowhere to escape, were slowly drowned.

There have been numerous accounts of people hearing the sound of these men crying for help at this very junction. Many people could not establish exactly where the sounds originated from. However, one lady who worked at Mark’s and Spencer’s on St Peter’s Street, reported how she was leaving the store late one night and heard what she thought was someone lying injured nearby. She walked along and then realised that the sounds were coming from beneath the road. “A ghostly wail” was how she described it and that night she could not sleep.

It seems that the spirits of these men will forever remain at the junction of St Peter’s Street and Cornmarket waiting patiently for someone to finally come and rescue them.