Whipping Tom of 1681

The Whipping Tom of 1681 was active in the warren of small courtyards between Fleet Street, Strand and Holborn.He would wait in the narrow and dimly lit alleys and courtyards. After approaching an unaccompanied woman, he would grab her strongly, lift her dress, and slap her buttocks repeatedly with his hand before fleeing.

He would sometimes accompany his attacks by shouting "Spanko!"

He attacked a large number of women, and while he would often use his bare hand, he would occasionally use a rod.  Some of his victims were left badly injured by the attacks.  He would appear, carry out his attacks and vanish with such speed that some people attributed him with supernatural powers.