Just Kidding

* A PHOTOGRAPHIC expert has cleaned up the only known shot of Billy the Kid to reveal the true face of the Wild West outlaw. Kent-based digital restorer Nick Harris spent weeks revitalising the battered 1880 tintype. * But how much do you really know about the legendary US gunfighter? Here MEG JORSH gives you the facts ...

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Born in New York in late 1859, Billy - then called Henry McCarty - had a tragic start in life. His dad, Patrick, died when he was a young child, then his mum, Catherine, passed away from tuberculosis, leaving him an orphan at 14.

Henry, then living in Silver City, New Mexico, was taken in by boarding house owner Sarah Brown, who gave him a job. But he got the boot after a year when he was caught stealing food.

Just 10 days later, the youngster and a pal robbed a Chinese laundry, stealing clothes and two pistols. Henry was arrested and jailed, but broke out after two days and started his life as a fugitive.