Dick Turpin

Richard Turpin, better known as Dick Turpin was a notorious highwayman whose exploits were later romanticised in fiction.

Charley Pollard was a fan of the stories in which Turpin appeared. Upon encountering the real Turpin in 1738, Charley inadvertently infected him with Grel particles which altered Turpin and those around him to match their fictional depictions. (AUDIO: The Doomwood Curse)

According to a Coal Hill School textbook, the best-known story of Dick Turpin told of his rapid 200-mile ride from London to York on his horse, Black Bess, in order to establish an alibi; though the same story was also told of another highwayman - John Nevison. The Doctor, however, noted that neither of them had done this. (PROSE: A History of Humankind)

Dick was tried for murder in March 1739, before being executed a month later. (AUDIO: The Doomwood Curse)

In 2009, Clyde Langer asked the Dark Rider if he had known Dick Turpin, but he was unable to speak so gave no reply. (TV: Mona Lisa's Revenge)