Peter Manuel

Send us a text

Few names strike fear into the hearts of Scots like Peter Manuel - the Beast of Birkenshaw. Born in New York but raised in Scotland, Manuel's transformation from bullied outsider to Scotland's first documented serial killer represents one of the darkest chapters in Glasgow's crime history.

From 1956 to 1958, Manuel embarked on a killing spree that claimed at least seven lives across Lanarkshire, leaving communities paralyzed with fear. What makes his case particularly disturbing wasn't just the brutality of his crimes, but the cold calculation and bizarre behavior that followed. After murdering the Smart family on New Year's Day 1958, Manuel stayed in their home for nearly a week, eating their food, feeding their cat, and even driving their car around town - at one point giving a lift to a police officer who was searching for another of his victims.

Manuel's arrogance ultimately led to his downfall. When he began flashing crisp new five-pound notes in Glasgow pubs - money stolen from his victims - an observant barman alerted police. The subsequent trial became a media sensation as Manuel, refusing legal representation, defended himself with theatrical flair. His execution in 1958 brought relief to a terrorized region, but many questions remain unanswered. With case files sealed until 2033, we're left wondering about potential accomplices and additional victims who may never receive justice. Was Manuel born evil, or was he shaped by circumstance? The truth may be more complex than we imagine.

Subscribe to A Dark City for more explorations into Glasgow's criminal past and the shadowy figures who have left their mark on this resilient city. Your reviews help us uncover more of these compelling stories that history would rather forget.