The Life And Crimes Of Shiner Bob - The Worst Man In London.

Albert Heidman, better known around Spitalfields under the nickname, "Shiner Bob" was a prolific East End street thief and thug in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Several newspapers described him as "the terror of Spitalfields." But, the Express pulled out all the stops and described him simply as "the worst man in London."

In this video, you can learn the full story of the life and crimes of this notorious local character, as we follow him from childhood to early adulthood, when, according to an interview he gave to the Express, he "went to the bad."

In 1904, he found himself in court on a charge of manslaughter, accused of having shaken a man named James Jones to death in a Spitalfields common lodging house.

The video takes an in-depth look at this case - which brought Heidman's criminal reputation to prominence and resulted in him becoming something of a local, of not a national, celebrity.

The video concludes with an interview that Heidman gave to the Express in which he revealed the points in his life when he fell from the straight and narrow and veered into villainy, criminality, and thuggery.

[octowuss]

The only thing more criminal than Shiner Bob is the lack of views this wonderful channel gets!
Another great episode. The level of research and quality of presentation is amazing - really appreciate your hard work. Thanks!

[davesmith]

Bob seemed to be one of those guys that didn’t have to look for trouble. It found him.

[miked]

Very interesting video. I wish we could know what ultimately became of Bob.

[mathewlawton]

Thank you Richard for another great n interesting video

[omarhamid]

I see a lot of JTR connected places feature, Dorset Street and Flower &Dean Street. These sound like really violent places, a shame we can’t say these kind of thugs are not consigned to history.

Many thanks for sharing the story of Shiner Bob! 👏👍

[thetragicyouth]

Where do you find all this fascinating stuff?? Another gem!

[DavidLeeAndrews]

That was a great story, Richard. I gotta remember that. Next time up on brick lane I’ll have to honor Shiner Bob

[derekhageman]

Every video of yours is a gem, I learn something new everytime.

[itsjohndell]

Excellent video, your editing is marvelous as is your East End accent. Worst man in London? Apparently Murder and Mutilation were never suspected of him.

[janrren]

Absolutely stunning stuff pleased.Thank you.

[anthonysheppard]

Great video, , life doesn't really change, same problems different era, ,

[ruiseartalcorn]

Many thanks again for yet another great presentation! :)

[dawnklug]

Shiner Bob likely didn't mind being locked up being that he got a place to sleep and at least one decent meal a day.

[blrenx]

Bob must have been a busy man To be single out in that city. Awesome story ..Thanks!

[deniseelsworth]

Bob sounds the type of guy we still have today. His speech patterns sound like a cross between Fred west and my ex brother in law. How he so innocently found himself the hapless victim of so many events had me in stitches. Don't care how skinny he was he liked a scrap.

[fluffyparker]

Of all the jobs I have had I am most grateful that Lodging House Keeper never

[jwsuicides]

"...and he carries his shrunken right hand in his pocket." I presume that hand is still attached to him and not the grisly artefact of a previous operation. 😉

[christerholmgren]

The George Squibb who incapacitated Shiner Bobs right arm by stabbing him, is likely to be the character Squibby, about whom Walter Dew tells how he was pointed out as Jack the Ripper by an East End mob after having been arrested by Dew. Squibby would have been in his thirties at this stage.

[LordVikingLive]

Too bad there is only that one photo of Dorset street. I've looked at it long and hard. Many details can be found.

[blaster_]

The worst man in London? Sounds like Shiner Bob was just a petty thief with a temper - not afraid to lash out when set upon. Sounds less like he started fights, just finished them.