THE WELSHMAN FOR BEING THE
FOR two years women across London were subjected to a reign of terror from a serial attacker. Between 1788 and 1790 he would often approach welldressed women, insult them – and then stab them.
Some were cut with a sharp object, others kicked from behind with spikes attached to the attacker’s shoes, and some stabbed in the nose with a sharp object hidden in a bouquet of flowers.
The series of attacks sent the English capital into hysteria, with newspapers full of speculation about the so-called “London Monster”.
During his reign of terror, the Monster became infamous, inspiring caricatures and plays.
After a reward of £100 had been posted for the capture and conviction of the Monster, the hysteria grew even larger. A number of innocent men were beaten up and some women went out wearing copper petticoats.
And it all ended with a young Welshman being wrongfully convicted and framed ramed for the crimes.
Now historian ian Jan Bondeson on has shed light on the attacker, raising aising doubts over the conviction in a new book. Between 1788 and 1790, more than 50 people had been attacked. None were killed, but many were left seriously wounded.
On June 13, 1790, ballet dancer Rhynwick Williams was “identified” as the Monster.
The 23-year-old, from Radnorshire, had rec recently been sacked from a theatre for committing t theft. Williams sank int into the London underw underworld and worked a number num of odd jobs across the city.
But his wors worst moment came when a w woman, previously attacked at by the Monster, clai claimed William liams was the cu culprit.
As the m mass hysteri ria gripped the capital, newspapers criticised the police and in early April a £100 reward was offered by a rich insurance broker.
Mr Bondeson said: “Large posters were pasted up all over London to announce that a bloodthirsty, inhuman monster was on the prowl, attacking young and beautiful women in the streets.”
But on June 13, 1790, everyone thought the Monster had been caught.
A young woman, Anne Porter, had been attacked by the Monster in January. Months later in June, she pointed out Williams to vigilante John Coleman who apprehended him in a central London park.
Mr Bondenson said: “[Anne Porter] was certain he was the man who had cut her. She was seconded by her three sisters, all of whom testified that the Welshman had been in the