Crossword Genius

Dickensian bad guy, barren, destitute (7,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

barnaby rudge

'dickensian' is the definition.
(Charles Dickens character)

'bad guy barren destitute' is the wordplay.
'destitute' indicates an anagram (a poor or destitute spelling).
'bad'+'guy'+'barren'='badguybarren'
'badguybarren' with letters rearranged gives 'BARNABY RUDGE'.

(Other definitions for barnaby rudge that I've seen before include "story" , "Early Dickens novel" , "Ruby bandager (anag) - Dickens novel" , "Eponymous Dickens novel" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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