Face of Jack the Ripper revealed

THIS is the first picture of the man detectives believed was Jack the Ripper, whose identity has remained a mystery for 118 years.

The e-fit has been produced using the latest police forensic techniques and original witness statements from the 19th century investigation.

The Ripper terrorised the streets of London in 1888, butchering five prostitutes in Whitechapel.

Laura Richards, head of analysis at Scotland Yard's Violent Crime Command, and former commander John Grieve re-analysed witness statements and evidence to form the most accurate picture of The Ripper yet.

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They claim The Ripper was aged between 25 and 35, of stocky build and between 5'5" and 5'7" tall.

As one of the biggest unsolved mysteries ever, The Ripper legend spawned hundreds of conspiracy theories and inspired dozens books, documentaries and movies.

The Ripper either stabbed or strangled his victims, sometimes removing their organs and leaving their bodies horrifically mutilated.

There are more than two hundred suspects, including the author Lewis Carroll, Prince Albert Victor and Sir John Williams, obstetrician to the royal family.

In a documentary to be screened tomorrow, Mr Grieve refutes the popular belief that no one ever reported seeing The Ripper to police.

"It's a popular misconception that nobody ever saw the murderer, that he just vanished into the fog of London. Well that's just not right. There were witnesses at the time who were highly thought of by the police," Mr Grieve said.

These witnesses include James Brown, a docker, who was returning home when he saw the prostitute Elizabeth Stride with a man about 5'7" tall, stocky, and wearing a long overcoat.

He appeared to be standing in her way, and Brown heard her trying to repel his advances. Brown would later identify Stride's body, and some people believe the man trying to pick her up was the Ripper.