The Old Bailey: Eight Centuries of Crime, Cruelty and Corruption - Softcover

Murphy, Theresa

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184018762X ISBN 13: 9781840187625

Publisher: Mainstream Publishing, 2003

Synopsis

This is the history of the Old Bailey, an institution as flawed as all man-made attempts at justice are doomed to be. In the beginning there was barbarity and injustice. The court was thronged with a restless, muttering mob eager for the verdicts of "guilty" so they could enjoy public executions, hurling abuse and missiles at those with the noose around their neck. Today we fool ourselves that we have evolved beyond barbarism, but are made uneasy by the continuing exposure of miscarriages of justice. The Old Bailey has since seen its usual parade of misfits. With a mixture of racist murderers, road-rage killers, and lying and cheating top politicians, it is as difficult as ever to separate the good from the bad, but the ugly are easily recognisable. Ugliness is the theme here as we tour the courts of long ago, meeting the Dracula-garbed court chaplains, drunken, brutal judges, cold-blooded hangmen, through to the new breed of pseudo-respectable criminals of today.

About this title

About the Author

The author of over 30 books, Theresa Murphy has written on diverse subjects ranging from television comedy, through nautical history, to worldwide travel.

Edition details

• Publisher: Mainstream Publishing
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 184018762X
• ISBN 13: 9781840187625
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240