Sid Vicious had a number of appearances in court during 1978, he appeared at Marleybone Magistartes Court, London on drugs offences and later at Rikers Island, New York City during the inquest into the murder of his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. On both occasions Sid is documented wearing this suit and shirt, as illustrated.
The suit is accompanied by a letter from Anne Beverley, Sid's mother, she states I hadn't seen 'Sid' in a suit for a few years and despite the sadness of the occasion i couldn't help thinking, as he walked towards us, how very imposing he looked. She had not seen the suit previously but as John Tiberi, the tour manager for The Sex Pistols recalls in his accompanying note In this photo Sid is wearing the suit he wore at London court appearances all witnessed by myself at the time. Anne Beverley offered the suit and shirt from her collection for charity in a 1988 Christie's sale and it was later exhibited at the V&A Street Style exhibition in 1994. The Teddy Boy inspired suit is a far cry from the Punk attire of ripped t-shirts, jeans and leather jackets Sid was usually seen wearing.