The colour black is often seen as sleek, sophisticated, and powerful. However, there are some cases where black can elicit sheer terror.
In 1940, Peter Moore was born in Rhyl, Denbigshire, Clwyd, Wales to his mother, Edith. Edith doted on Moore, spoiling him rotten. He was her miracle child, you see. After years of being told she couldn’t have children, Peter came as an unexpected, and extremely pleasant surprise.
Moore had a very close relationship with his mother. He lived a very privileged life with her until her death. They were close as close could be. But Peter kept a secret from his mother. He could never tell her that he was gay. He kept that secret extremely close to his chest.
But Peter would go out at night – and never tell his mother the truth about where he was going. He’d get dressed up in black – from head to toe. Acquaintances and neighbours began calling him ‘the man in black’.
Peter Moore would then go on the prowl. He’d cruise around, going to known hookup spots. He’d look for men. Men who could give him the sexual gratification he craved.
He certainly found what he was looking for. But most of his participants did not consent to his actions. Moore committed multiple rapes and sexual assaults as he was out prowling. Then, he’d return to his mother and talk about his favourite thing – movies. Especially horror movies.
Moore suffered a severe shock when his mother passed away. He was distraught; what was he supposed to do now that his best – and only – friend was gone?
Moore’s behaviour became erratic – he was already a danger to those around him. But now, he went to extremes.
In September of 1995, Moore had picked out his next victim.
Henry Roberts was a 56-year-old retired railway worker who lived in Anglesey. He lived by himself in a small farmhouse near Holyhead. He was known as the town eccentric, and was often described as a gentle, kind man who would never hurt a fly.
He was found dumped in the yard outside his home with 27 stab wounds. His cherished Labrador dog was trapped inside the house.
The community was shocked over the death. Who would hurt such a gentle man? What was even more shocking, however, was that Henry had an enthusiasm for Nazi paraphernalia. This interest was fervently shared by Peter Moore.
It didn’t take long for Moore to move on to his next victim. Edward Carthy was a 28-year-old addict. He met Moore in October of 1995 in a gay bar.
It’s believed that the two met, and engaged in negotiations for a sexual rendezvous. Then, Moore lured Edward into the Clocaenog Forest and proceeded to stab him to death.
On the night of Novermber 29th, 1995, Keith Randles walking into a fish and chip shop in order to grab some dinner on the way home. That was the last time he was seen alive.
Keith was a 49-year-old traffic manager working on various construction sites. He’d often live on-site in his caravan. At 7:30AM the morning of the 30th, workmen found Keith stabbed to death next to his parked caravan.
Moore found his next victim in December of 1995. 40-year-old father of two Anthony Davies was found stabbed to death in Pensarn Beach, Abergele. The spot was a known cruising spot for gay men looking for hookups. Peter Moore marred it with his homicidal rampage.
The LGBTQ+ community was gripped in terror. A psychopath was on the rampage. For Four months, investigators had no leads. Until they found Anthony on the beach.
There, investigators found blood. Blood that didn’t belong to Anthony. They quickly matched the blood to Peter Moore. He was arrested shortly after his last murder in December of 1995.
For decades, Peter Moore had projected the image of a kind, socially awkward business man who ran a few of the local cinemas. When investigators entered his home, what they found was the complete opposite.
Inside, there were “cuddly toys laid out alongside a Nazi flag, handcuffs, and military uniforms”. They also found items belonging to Henry, Edward, Keith, and Anthony – as well as items belonging to other men and boys that he’d assaulted and raped. They also found the knife used in all the murders – the blood on it matched the four victims. They were not only able to link all four murders, but they’d also found a serial rapist.
Further investigation of the home found a pair of tall, black leather boots that Moore had worn during the attacks and the murders. The man in black had finally been caught.
While being interrogated, Moore stated that Henry had begged for his life, yelling over and over again that he wasn’t Jewish. He also said that he’d killed Keith “for fun”, and that there was a “certain enjoyment” in killing. He also had to draw a map for investigators to find Edward’s body – he’d been declared missing, and had yet to be found.
During trial, Moore once again tried to include those movies he loved so, so much. He told the jury that he was innocent – his lover Jason had committed the murders, he’d only confessed to protect Jason. It didn’t take long for jurors to fathom that Moore was referencing Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th movie franchise.
Peter Moore was found guilty on all four counts of first degree murder. In November of 1996, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. He was told by Mr. Justice Maurice Kay that it would be recommended that he never be released, as he was “the most dangerous category of killers who should never be let out”.
In 2013, Moore attempted to fight his “whole-life” sentence. He argued that “allowing the most dangerous offenders to be kept behind bars until they die breaches their human rights.” The appeal failed.
Peter Moore, the man in black, will remain behind bars until the day he dies.
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Sources:
The twisted crimes of North Wales serial killer Peter Moore who murdered and mutilated men ‘for fun – Eryl Crump & Emilia Bona – Daily Post
How Wales’ most dangerous man was caught after he murdered four men – Phillip Dewy – Wales Online
Peter Moore Murderpedia page
Peter Moore (serial killer) Wikipedia page