Crossword Genius

Outlaw speared criminal, con (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

desperado

'outlaw' is the definition.
(I know that Desperado is a type of outlaw)

'speared criminal con' is the wordplay.
'criminal' indicates an anagram.
'con' becomes 'do' (to 'do' someone could be to con them).
'speared' anagrammed gives 'despera'.
'despera'+'do'='DESPERADO'

(Other definitions for desperado that I've seen before include "Wild ruffian" , "Bold outlaw on the American frontier" , "Road speed (anag.)" , "Gangster" , "Bandit, outlaw" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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