Peter Thomas Anthony Manuel was born on March 13, 1927, in New York City, New York, to Scottish parents. His family later moved to Detroit, Michigan, before settling in Birkenshaw, Lanarkshire, Scotland. It was during his teenage years that Manuel's troubling behavior began to emerge.
As a teenager, Manuel was known to be a petty thief and engaged in a series of sexual attacks that ultimately led to his incarceration for nine years. These early criminal activities foreshadowed the heinous crimes he would later commit.
Manuel gained infamy as the "the Beast of Birkenshaw" for his ruthless killing spree in southern Scotland. He was convicted of murdering seven people, but it is believed that he may have been responsible for more deaths than officially recorded.
Despite the gravity of the charges against him, Manuel chose to represent himself during his highly publicized trial. His self-defense tactics added a sensational element to the proceedings and drew significant media attention.
In the end, Peter Thomas Anthony Manuel was found guilty of the murders he was accused of and was sentenced to hang at Glasgow's Barlinnie Prison. He became one of the last criminals to be executed in Scotland before the practice was abolished.
Manuel's chilling persona and gruesome crimes served as an inspiration for the portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in the film "Manhunters," played by Scottish actor Brian Cox. His dark legacy continues to haunt the memories of those who lived through his reign of terror.
Peter Thomas Anthony Manuel's life was marked by violence, tragedy, and a twisted sense of justice. His crimes will forever be etched in the annals of criminal history, serving as a stark reminder of the depths of human depravity.