VISITORS won t have to pay a penalty to visit a new crime and punishment exhibition. St Albans Museum in Hatfield Road is offering free access to an exhibition about the history of crime and punishment in the county which will run until June 22. It tells

VISITORS won't have to pay a penalty to visit a new crime and punishment exhibition.

St Albans Museum in Hatfield Road is offering free access to an exhibition about the history of crime and punishment in the county which will run until June 22.

It tells the stories of Herts criminals, including highwaymen, witches, thieves and murderers.

Women in the county used to be sentenced to death for witchcraft and brutal means of punishment such as the pillory and the scold's bridle were commonplace.

Visitors can also experience a Victorian prison cell which has been reconstructed from the former Grimston Road prison in St Albans.

The life of one of the jail's most notorious occupants, Mary Ansell, who was alleged to have murdered her sister with a poisoned cake sent through the post, is depicted for the public.

The exhibition is open from 10am until 5pm from Monday to Saturday and from 2pm until 5pm on Sundays. For more information call the museum on 01727 819340.