Police forces around the country often release mugshots to help with their investigations.
Typically taken from the shoulders up, the mugshot was originally created for identification purposes and has now become the standardised process of booking in offenders.
From searching for missing people charged with offences to highlighting dangerous offenders who have been jailed, the fated mugshot is a necessary and important aspect of the criminal justice system.
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However, sometimes the pictures can bring them more than they bargained for.
This year, in Greater Manchester, has been no exception. From the ‘hot’ missing felon, to the Father Christmas look-alike, we’ve looked back through the craziest mugshots of 2022.
Robert Rimmer
Earlier this year, Humberside Police released a mugshot of a man they were looking for in connection with an ongoing investigation into drug-related offences in the Humberside area.
His picture provoked quite a reaction from the reader’s of the M.E.N. who were more than happy to assist the police with their enquiries. Over 19,000 comments were left on the post shared online, with both men and women ‘swooning’ over Robert Rimmer.
The 36-year-old has links to Hull, Cheshire, Liverpool and Blackpool. Officers have warned members of the public not to approach Rimmer if they see him.
Anyone with information is being urged to contact police immediately
In a statement, police said: "Have you seen wanted man 36-year-old Robert Rimmer? Officers are keen to speak to him in connection with an ongoing investigation into drugs related offences in our area.
"Robert is originally from the Ashton-Under-Lyne area of Manchester but has known links to Hull, Cheshire, Liverpool and Blackpool. If you see him, or know where he is, please do not approach him but instead call us immediately on our non-emergency 101 line quoting investigation reference 20900368291.
"If you would prefer to report information anonymously you can do so via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
One reader remarked: “Have they looked on Love Island - he could be holed up there.”
And another said: “Got a feeling there is a lot of people who wouldn't mind hand cuffing this bad boy.”
Shaun Aver
In a similar appeal, Greater Manchester Police released this picture of Shaun Aver, who was sporting a fetching Greggs t-shirt.
In a high-profile appeal to the public to locate some of GMP’s most wanted, the force published a mugshot of Aver who is wanted on recall to prison.
The 36-year-old is from Manchester, and has links to the north side of the city. He also has connections to Preston and Cumbria.
Whilst many shared the post online, hundreds of others took to the comments to revel in the baking fan’s choice of clothing.
One said: “Police are launching a steak (bake) out.”
Another said: “Hope he is found soon and they don’t make a meal out of it.”
“All custody wants for Christmas is GMP's most wanted,” the force tweeted on Christmas Eve night (Saturday, December 24).
“Anyone with information about Shaun Aver's whereabouts should contact GMP via the website or 101. “Information can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity - Crimestoppers.”
Later resharing the post, GMP added: “Other bakery chains are available.”
John O’Neil
In another appeal in November, a mugshot of pensioner John O’Neil was released. It was just one month following his last release from prison.
Greater Manchester Police says O'Neil, from Moston , is known across Manchester and Salford .
The 77-year-old was previously jailed for failing to comply with his prison release conditions. He was last released from prison in October - but police say he now needs to head back behind bars.
In a post shared on Facebook, our readers couldn’t help but comment on his resemblance to a certain festive figure.
“Well to be fair he's going to busy up until the 26th December isn't he” one reader said.
Another said: “Find him climbing down chimneys on Christmas.”
In the post, a spokesperson for GMP Longsight and Moss Side said: "We are appealing for the public's help to trace John O'Neil from the Moston area of Manchester. John O'Neil is wanted on recall to prison.
"He was released in October 2022 after being jailed for failing to comply with his prison release conditions. He is known to have links to both North and South Manchester, Hulme and Salford areas."
Anyone with information about O'Neil's whereabouts is urged to contact police by calling 0161 856 3508. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by phoning 0800 555 111.
Darren Partington
Darren Partington stole two cars before making off from a man’s house - whilst wearing a ‘Fast and Furious’ t-shirt.
Partington, of no fixed abode, was jailed for two years and five months after pleading guilty to two burglaries, aggravated vehicle taking, fraud by false representation, driving without a licence, and driving without insurances committed between May and June of this year.
The 33-year-old was pictured wearing a t-shirt from popular film series Fast and Furious in his police mugshot, quite fittingly.
Partington’s first burglary came on May 23, in Green Lane, Middleton , Manchester Crown Court heard. While the homeowner slept, his £40,000 Toyota Supra was stolen from his drive.
A wallet, containing a number of cards and £110 in cash, was also taken after Partington gained entry through the back door of the home in the early hours of the morning. Later that day, one of the cards was used to withdraw £200 from a cash machine at Hopwood Service Station.
On June 29, Partington targeted a home in Salford . On this occasion, he let himself in through the front door and stole the keys to a Fiat 500 that was parked in the drive.
One resident of the house was alerted to the burglary by a notification from his Ring doorbell at around 2am. The man ran downstairs to confront Partington, banging on the window of the car that Partington was sitting in and even opening the driver door.
Partington reversed away quickly, while the door was still open, striking the back of the man’s Mercedes.
Ashley Hodson
Robber Ashley Hodson burst into a shop armed with what looked like a black pistol before demanding a shopkeeper hand over £80,000.
The 38-year-old stormed into the Newton Heath store and threatened to shoot the man delivering cash for an ATM.
The quick thinking shopkeeper locked Hodson and the delivery man in the store while armed police were called.
Smiling Hodson, who flashed his teeth in his police mugshot, was jailed for six years.
Justin Hayhoe, prosecuting, told the court that Hodson entered the shop shortly after the cash delivery man, just after 4pm on March 23, immediately becoming aggressive saying "open the f***ing box and give me the money".
"When he (deliverer) said he couldn't get into the box he threatened to shoot him on more than one occasion," Mr Hayhoe added. CCTV of the incident played to the court showed that the Oldham Road shopkeeper then quickly ran outside while this was happening and closed the shutters, locking both Hodson and the cash deliverer inside.
Hodson threatened the man again saying he should make the shopkeeper open it "otherwise he would be shot".
Hodson, of Harold Priestnall Close, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
Mudasser Shamin
And in another smiley mugshot, Mudasser Shamin was jailed after threatening to burn down his girlfriend’s house with her daughter inside after she dared to stand up to him.
The woman had told Shamin she wanted nothing to do with him, after he punched her twice and bit her in a hotel room after 'plying' her with wine.
Despite her rejections, Shamin repeatedly turned up outside her work, left gifts on her car and made chilling threats.
After warning him that if he continued she'd seek a restraining order, Shamin threatened to 'burn down her house with her daughter in it' if she went through with it.
When she told him she was pressing charges for the hotel room attack, Shamin said he'd wait outside her family's home and 'kidnap' her.
Shamin claimed to be 'genuinely remorseful', but was found guilty after a trial in which he 'attacked her character'.
A judge told Shamin he believed he was 'sorry for yourself that you have been convicted'
Now Shamin, from Bolton, has been jailed for three years.
Read more of today's top stories here
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