Why this Victorian cop was the real Sherlock Holmes
He was the scourge of Melbourne’s villains and scoundrels, but unlike the fictional London sleuth, his crazy undercover exploits and bizarre disguises were real. LISTEN NOW
Our Criminal History
The secret language of our criminal ancestors
It’s 1819 and you’ve just been boned by a bum-trap, thrown in ruffles, and brought in front of a beak for knapping a Jacob from a danna-drag. This is the convict slang used by our loose-lipped criminal ancestors. TAKE OUR CONVICT QUIZ.
‘Haunting history of my vintage FJ Holden ute’
When Sunday Telegraph picture editor Jeff Darmanin bought a 1955 Holden FJ ute to restore, he was shocked to discover a teen boy had been shot dead in the vehicle in 1965. The ute was then buried deep in a Gundagai barn for decades before being resold.
Ultimate sacrifice: ‘He died trying to save lives’
BREVET Sergeant Glen Huitson was manning a roadblock when he was shot dead by a man known as ‘Crocodile Dundee’. He was the last police officer to be killed in the line of duty and today marks 20 years since his death
More Stories
80 years later: Creepy message in a bottle
It’s been over 80 years since the mysterious disappearance of a Brisbane public servant and socialite who vanished from a train station.
A dead man walking, the mutilator and a sordid Lone Avenger
The comic book killer rapist, the Sydney mutilator, a Black Widow serial killer with a penchant for rat poison and the bikie killer who was a dead man walking. The Daily Telegraph continues its alphabetical compilation of crimes that horrified, intrigued and scandalised a nation. Part 4 of a 6-part series.
Australia’s worst female killers
Poisoning, cannibalism and drinking the blood of their victims. These are the stories of Australia’s most savage female killers.
Convicts’ first Christmas marred by crime
Eleven months after the First Fleet landed, Christmas was “observed with proper ceremony” according to a report from the time. But not all the convicts were prepared to make do with their extra ration of rum.
Ned Kelly’s sister, the gun and an unwanted kiss
The incident that forced Ned Kelly on the run was sparked by an amorous constable who was supposed to be arresting Ned’s brother — but had eyes for his sister instead.
![SECOND FLEET STORY Item 01: The perilous situation of "The Guardian" Frigate as she appeared striking on the rocks of ice - with the departure of the crew - and the wonderful intrepidity of the Commander Lieutenant Riou / [possibly by Robert Dighton] Picture: State Library of NSW](https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/3412cf4dd9628e15206f664a6b403c80?width=650)
Ship of horrors: Death, ‘floating brothel’
By the time these ships began arriving in Sydney, most people couldn’t stand upright. Some had gaping wounds so deep you could see their bones.
Gangland hard man’s grisly end in ‘torture room’
Police issued a warning to the underworld on the number of bodies being dumped on Melbourne’s streets. So Carl Williams’ next victim would not be left on the street, but beneath it — in a bin stuffed down a stormwater drain.
Gangland player’s deadly meal with Carl Williams
Underworld figure Mark Mallia wanted answers after his drug-lord boss was gunned down. But when he spoke out at a meal with Carl Williams he condemned himself to one of the gangland war’s most brutal endings.
Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/ourcriminalhistory/page/14