Inside Britain’s darkest exhibition devoted to true crime
From the acid barrels that serial killer John George Haigh used to dissolve his victims to Rose West’s underwear – Britain’s creepiest museum contains some of the most disturbing artefacts that offer a step back into some of history’s darkest moments.
The True Crime Museum, in White Rock, Hastings, is a treasure trove of grisly items from the UK’s worst crimes.
Inside, visitors can see the bath used by contract killer John Childs to dismember his victims, the skull of murderer and rapist Louis Lefevre and nooses from which criminals were hung.
Speaking to Metro museum’s curator Joel Griggs said: ‘It’s reality, part of history. I don’t think you can wrap someone in cotton wool and pretend none of this stuff happens. There are bad people out there.’
Joel said he doesn’t want to make light of the terror and said they tried to present exhibits in a tasteful way.
From the acid barrels that serial killer John George Haigh used to dissolve his victims to Rose West’s underwear – Britain’s creepiest museum contains some of the most disturbing artefacts that offer a step back into some of history’s darkest moments
He added: ‘When I look at crime magazines in shops, they seem to be by the soap magazines and celebrity magazines, so they are seen as a form of entertainment in a similar way.’
The acid barrels used by John George Haigh, commonly known as the Acid Bath Murderer, are displayed in a creepy dimly lit cave.
He was an English serial killer who was convicted for the murder of six people, although he claimed to have killed nine.
Elsewhere visitors can see love letters sent by US serial killer Richard Ramirez to British author Ricki Thomas.
Ramirez, who was known as The Night Stalker, terrorised Californians between 1984 and ’85 and was convicted of 13 murders and a series of home invasions, mutilations and rapes.
Ricki, who has written a number of best-selling books on serial killers, revealed that she had contacted the killer at a low point in her life and felt a strong physical attraction to him. She described her first letter to Ramirez as ‘a moment of madness’.
Speaking to Sussex Press she said: ‘He was a good looking guy, but I never felt I was one of his groupies.’
As the pair exchanged letters for over nine months, the correspondence became increasingly personal and intimate.
The acid barrels used by John George Haigh, commonly known as the Acid Bath Murderer, are displayed in a creepy dimly lit cave
Model of mafia boss Carmine Galante’s skull following his fatal shooting is on display at The True Crime Museum
Meanwhile its home to boxing gloves signed by the Ronald and Reginald Kray, also known as the Kray twins
‘He demanded that I put my perfume onto my letters, he wrote erotic poetry and drew pictures for me’, she added.
The author decided to donate the letters to the museum in 2017 to give an insight into the mind of the monster.
Meanwhile the True Crime Museum also exhibits a large white pair of underpants worn by killer Rose West, which were bought for £2,500 at auction.
The pants were obtained by a former prison officer who worked at HMP Bronzefield where West lived for four years until 2008.
Joel also has some letters sent between West and the former prison officer but he decided against displaying them as they were ‘mundane’ and ‘very dull’.
Fred and Rosemary West tortured and murdered at least a dozen young British girls between 1967 and 1987 in Gloucestershire, including several of their own daughters.
Death mask of unknown women who committed suicide by jumping into the River Seine, pictured
Elsewhere in the spooky museum visitors can see a genuine lethal injection death bed and read about the victims and suspects linked to Jack the Ripper from 1878 to 1898
Fred was charged with 12 murders but took his own life in prison in 1995, aged 53, before his trial. Rose was convicted of 10 murders in November 1995 and is serving a life sentence.
Most of the artefacts have either been donated to the museum or Joel has bought bought at auction.
Elsewhere in the spooky museum visitors can see a genuine lethal injection death bed and read about the victims and suspects linked to Jack the Ripper from 1878 to 1898.
Meanwhile, it’s also home to boxing gloves signed by the Ronald and Reginald Kray, also known as the Kray twins.
Fearsome Ronnie and Reggie ran organised crime in London’s East End during the 1950s and 60s before they were jailed separately in 1969 and then both moved to Parkhurst maximum security prison in the early 1970s.
Ronnie eventually died at Broadmoor in 1995, aged 62. In August 2000, Reggie was diagnosed with inoperable cancer of the bladder, and given just weeks to live. He died age 66 shortly after being freed from prison on compassionate grounds.
Visitors will also find the order of service from Ronald’s funeral in Bethnal Green in the creepy museum.
