Victorian Mugshots Gallery

Thomas Murphy

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• Prostitutes and monstrous vagabonds
• Some of the physical descriptions of prisoners by police and reporters alike, were, to say the least, extremely blunt. A court reporter at the Sheffield Times had a particularly poisonous pen, describing a Mary Jepson as 'a repulsive-looking prostitute' and Mary Ann Butcher 'a nymph of the pave'. John Binney was depicted as a monstrous vagabond known by the name of 'Muck Binney'. Others unfortunate enough to be standing in the Sheffield dock were variously portrayed as: 'a middle-aged diminutive man who presented an exceedingly wretched and emaciated appearance' and 'a daft, slovenly-looking lad'.

Police and prison details were equally sharp. Manchester police described Thomas Murphy as being very bald with very bad teeth - 'follicly and dentally challenged' in today's parlance. In Birmingham the list of Jennie Willock's distinguishing marks was brutally honest: 'pimply, missing two fingers off right hand; missing middle finger of left hand'. Details of female prisoners in Birmingham included 'varicose veins, weak eyes, bandy legs, pock marks on face, pimply face, three vaccination marks, very full under eyes, fleshy mole left of stomach, thick ear (left), large nose'.

Appearing under the photos in one Manchester mugshot album, the following observations of male malefactors were noted:

• Fond of women, well educated and well dressed
• Never wears a hat
• Quiet disposition, frowns
• Addicted to drink, loose morals. Heavy cigarette smoker
• Weakness for stealing money
• Nervous disposition
• Fond of sport and company of women. Quick walker, usually carries pair of grey suede gloves and attaché case. Wears snake-pattern watch chain.
• Blinks his eyes when speaking
• Fond of racing. Walks erect.