The most popular explanation for the identity of this spirit comes from the late 19th century. Following a heated argument with his father, Gerald Mannering travelled to Derby and began a heavy drinking session. He was later arrested for driving a pony and trap whilst drunk and was taken to the police lock-up where Derby Fish Market is now situated. The police had failed to search Mannering on arresting him and whilst in the Charge Room he drew a gun and begun to fire wildly. He wounded one Inspector and shot dead PC Moss.

Although Mannering was found guilty, he managed to evade the death penalty on account of the jury’s indecisions on his sentence. Perhaps this could be the reason why PC Moss has never been able to rest and to this day still patrols the area in which he was killed.