Police discovered the skull belonging to a female prisoner, which had been taken from Britain’s historic pubs.
Based in York, North Yorkshire this month, the Golden Fleece launched an appeal after the skull had been stolen around midnight on New Year’s Day.
The artefact is said to be a replica of centuries’ old prisoner Elizabeth Johnson, who was found guilty of using a forged £1 banknote – worth £89 today – in 1800.
On August 23, 1800 she was hanged for her crime. The skull was on display at a special case in the pub that was 518 years old, two miles away from the place where she was executed.
This pub is regarded as the most haunted place in the city. It posted a social media appeal revealing that Elizabeth was’removed from her resting place.
Police officers found the criminal using CCTV footage and returned the skull to the historical pub.
The ‘skull’ of female prisoner Elizabeth Johnson, who was found guilty of using a forged £1 banknote in 1800, has been found
The artefact was stolen from the Golden Fleece, based in York, North Yorkshire, at around 1am on New Year’s Day
North Yorkshire Police reported that they were able track down a young man aged in his 20s who was carrying the skull. Pictured: PC David Young & PC Bill Davies with the skull
North Yorkshire Police reported that a man aged in his 20s was arrested and admitted to stealing the skull.
The force spokeswoman said that Elizabeth disappeared after staff noticed her disappearance. She was then investigated by social media, and made an appeal to have the skull returned.
“This appeal failed, however the staff at the pub had clear CCTV images of the suspect so they contacted police.
The suspect was identified by officers who used both the local CCTV and the bar CCTV to investigate.
“An unmarried man, in his 20s, immediately admitted to the theft and showed police his fireplace with Elizabeth’s head on it.
“The officers were thrilled to have Elizabeth returned to her home, at the Golden Fleece pub.”
According to police, the victim was dealt with through out-of-court disposal. The officer has written an apology letter.
PC David Young & PC Bill Davies with the skull after it was found by officers following a public appeal
A pub that is considered to be the most haunted bar in the area, posted an appeal via social media this month
Elizabeth Johnson, who was found guilty of using a forged £1 banknote, was hanged on August 23, 1800
The skull was on display at the pub 518 years old, two miles away from where she was executed.
The pub had posted a social media appeal earlier this month and Elizabeth was removed from her “resting place”
Could this be the ghost or landlord of The Golden Fleece who killed himself? A haunted bar shows a ghostly figure of a man.
A strange image shows a figure of a man behind the bar.
In 2015, ghost hunters claimed that they photographed the ghost of an ex-landlord at The Golden Fleece. He had then committed suicide.
Susanne Taggart was a supernatural investigator who claimed she caught the ghost of the landlord for the first-time on video.
The shadow behind the bar appeared to be that of a man, even though the source of light is not pointing in the right way.
51 year old Ms. Taggart stated that the scene was extremely dark. One can clearly see the silhouette of a big man as the eyes can easily see his head and shoulders. However, the one person visible in the photo was the girl behind the bars and she can be seen to the left. We were assured by her that she was the only one there.
Discover: The bizarre sight was captured by Steve and Susanne Taggart ghost hunters. The pair are shown with Jason Karl, former Most Haunted Star (right).
“There was once a kitchen door in the background of this figure, but it has been completely covered by this shadow. We couldn’t believe what we saw. The photo shocked many people and was very disturbing to us.
Then she added, “Despite being extremely creepy it was something I felt had to be explained.” A friend of mine looked at the image and determined that the shadow was not lit by any light. It was a darkened, dense shape. It was quite alarming.
“This footage is the most difficult to understand. It is impossible to think of an explanation.
The Golden Fleece was featured once on the TV series Most Haunted. A spokesperson for it said that “It’s no surprise that those who live or work at the Golden Fleece often have hair-raising stories to share.” Numerous people described their hair being pulled like it was by invisible hands.
“There have been many accounts from staff that felt an immediate tightening in their necks while they stood at the bar, the same bar where it was said that the landlord had hanged himself.”
“Aside from these sightings, many disturbing occurrences have been reported over time – door banging, footsteps on the staircase, temperature fluctuations, weird lights, cold spots and cold spots, strange lights, dark places, freezing temperatures, light bulbs, lighting candles, moving beds, and doors that open and close.
The offence was investigated by PC Bill Davies with the tutor, seven weeks after he started his police career.
“This crime is certain to confirm this.
“It was an intriguing crime to investigate, and it has also improved my knowledge of local history.
“It is a great accomplishment that we have been able to identify the culprit and return the stolen goods,” said the victim.
The pub had posted a social media appeal earlier this month that read, ‘Help required. Unfortunately, someone took it upon themselves today to take Elizabeth out of her place.
“This is beyond our comprehension why anyone would want her. We sincerely hope that the perpetrator had an error of judgment and will immediately return her to us.
“We are looking at all our CCTV and will hand it in.”
“Please Contact Us if You Have Any Information on Her Whereabouts, To Return her to Her Rightful Home”
Later, they updated the post and added: “This is clearly not Elizabeth’s actual skull.
“We think she visited the Fleece during its Inn days. This was donated by the owner, but we don’t know the whole story.
“We are grateful for all of your comments. We appreciate your concerns but we just want to be reunited.
With fifteen sightings of ghosts roaming the grounds, The Golden Fleece is a place with a rich history of hauntings and spectres.
One of them is Lady Alice Peckett. She was the ex-owner of the establishment, and the mayor of York from the early 1700s.
Others alleged apparitions include One Eyed Jack (16th-17th Century redcoat), a Canadian WWII airman, and Roman soldiers hiding in the cellar.
Ghost hunters from 2015 said they captured the spirit of a landlord who had committed suicide at The Golden Fleece.
Susanne Taggart from the paranormal investigation team visited and claimed she caught the ghost of the landlord for the very first time on video.
Ms. Taggart (51), said that it was dark, and clearly showed the shadow of a large person. You can also see the shoulders and head. However, the only person visible in the shot is the girl behind the bar, and she can be seen on the left.
“She assured us that she was alone with us.
“There was once a kitchen door in the background of this figure, but it has been completely covered by this shadow. We couldn’t believe what we saw.
“Quite a number of people in our group were shaken by this photo, and it was very disturbing.”
There are many pubs dating back centuries in Britain, some of which have ghosts on the grounds.
One pub had CCTV footage that showed a ghost breaking a pint glass last year.
Liz Allcock was speaking to customers at The Longs Arms, South Wraxall in Wiltshire when she saw a Guinness pint glasses on a back shelf and suddenly smashed. Glass fragments flew through the air.
Staff members Ms Allock, and others were unable to understand what had happened. It was stated that the Guinness glasses did not touch or sit on top of the other glasses at the bottom bar shelf.
Ms. Allcock stated that her pub has experienced many unexplained phenomenons over the years.
Rob Allcock, the husband of Ms Allcock told WiltshireLive: “Normally you see things then you look back to find no one.”
“I’ll walk through the kitchen and open the door both ways. If someone pulls the door, it’ll open.