The Huddersfield Murder Case of 1888 News of the Times Episode 429 | 1888 Today’s story begins with an execution on New Years Day, 1888 at the hands of Billington. How did he get here? A relationship, that by all accounts was never good, has completely soured. As the tension rises so do the threats of violence and abusive behaviour. But Elizabeth, the wife, is no shrinking violet. She reports the threats to the magistrates not once, but on three separate occasions. Charles Bulmer is now on the r...
Dec 30, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast A Spitalfields Boxing Day Tragedy - The Ellen Collins Mystery News of the Times Episode 427 | 1896 In today’s episode it is December 26, Boxing Day, 1896. We are in Spitalfields – just around the corner from Whitechapel. A policeman, on his regular beat, fends a woman crumpled in an alley, smelling of alcohol. She would not be the first reveller to have imbibed too much over Christmas. With help, he takes her to the station and places her n a cell to dry out. But it quickly becomes apparent that...
Dec 27, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Christmas Holyhead Murder 1909 News of the Times Episode 426 | 1909 In today’s episode we are in Wales in 1909. Gwen Ellen jones is found murdered and dumped in a ditch. Surprisingly, her ex boyfriend who has spent times attempting to find her proudly announces the killing of his ex girlfriend and mother of his child. The case rocked the area not only for the sensational aspect of the crime itself, but also for the timing. It was said, when she willingly went off with him, that the two were ...
Dec 25, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Cases of Parricide for Love & the Naked Body on Christmas Day News of the Times Episode 425 | 1844 & 1919 In today’s episode we look at two Christmas cases from Liverpool. Our first case from 1855 involves Mary who lives with her father. Mary is in love with a young man from Liverpool. Alas, Mary’s father does not approve. The argument goes on for some time. Mary is then invited to visit her boyfriend in Liverpool for Christmas. Her father refuses stating categorically that she is not al...
Dec 23, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Case of the Body in the Wall Murder News of the Times Episode 424 | 1930 1930 Birmingham and Edwin Claude Thick, bricklayer, has written to his parents informing them that his wife, Ivy, has left him and their one year old child and absconded off with a Frenchman with whom, he states, she had been having a regular affair for over a year. He is heartbroken but determined to look for Ivy and bring her back home. Her parents do not believe it. Ivy, who spoke with her mother daily, was a devoted...
Dec 20, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Curious Case of The Liverpool Sack Murder News of the Times Episode 423 | 1913 In today’s episode it is December 1913 in Liverpool, and a passing fisherman upon the canal spots a sack floating in the water. Curious, he fishes the sack out of the canal only to find the horrifying remains of a woman, doubled over, with an additional sack placed on her head. Two iron weights had been placed in the sack no doubt with the hope of keeping the grisly remains hidden at the bottom of the canal. The w...
Dec 18, 2024•43 min•Ep 423•Transcript available on Metacast The Sandhills Christmas Tragedy - The Killing of Kathleen News of the Times Episode 422 | 1919 In today’s episode it is Christmas time, 1919, in the resort area of Blackpool. Kathleen, known as “Kitty”, has finally completed the urgently requested request by her handsome boyfriend of a life insurance policy and has also, with her sister as witness, signed over her property, and the proceeds of her insurance policy to her boyfriend in the unlikely event of her early demise. The two are celebratin...
Dec 16, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Case of the Mansfield Tragedy Serial Killing News of the Times Episode 421 | 1895 In today’s episode it is 1895 Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Mary, a respectable 48 year old widow with children and left in comfortable circumstances lets out rooms to bring in some additional money. Her lodger is a local man named Nenty who has a contentious relationship with his own family. He has been lodging at Mary’s house for some five years. Nenty has fallen in love with Mary and proclaims his love. Mary h...
Dec 13, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Aylesbury Murders & The Abergavenny Castle Massacre News of the Times Episode 420 | 1822 & 1175 In today’s episode, we are in Aylesbury in 1822. Elderly couple, Mr and Mrs Needle are well known, living at the toll house where they take the tolls for those who wish to pass into town. With no response at their door, a way is forced in where people are greeted with a horrific sight. Elderly Mrs Needle has had her head bashed in and lies surrounded by her own brains from the viciousness ...
Dec 11, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Case of the Shocking Murder of Mary Ann Snow News of the Times Episode 419 | 1867 Today’s case from 1867 takes place in London. In the early morning house, Mrs Caroline Snow is awakened by the presence of her niece, Mary Ann Snow standing in her bedroom doorway. She is clutching her throat with both hands as blood streams down. Placing Mary Ann on to her bed, a doctor and policeman are called for, but it will be too late. She expires within minutes. The case of the butchering of Mary Ann Sno...
Dec 09, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Shocking Chicken Farm Case: Murder Most Fowl News of the Times Episode 418 | 1924 It is 1924 and typist Elsie Cameron has travelled to go and see her reticent fiancé, who runs a chicken farm, with an ultimatum that they finally marry. But her chicken farmer fiancé is involved with a local girl and sems to have no wish to marry fiancé, despite her unlikely plea of pregnancy. Elsie is seen going towards her fiancé’s hut, but she is never seen afterwards. Scotland yard are called into the case,...
Dec 06, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast A Round Robin of Murder: Chilling Christmas Stories You’ve Never Heard News of the Times Episode 417 | 1888 - 1925 In today’s episode we take a look at some of the murderous activities from Decembers past! Our first story from 1888 is not a murder in the truest sense, although when the wife turned detectives discovers her husband’s extramarital activities the police probably seem a safer bet! Our second story, also from 1888, is the story of a countess whose long time friend of the family wants ...
Dec 04, 2024•29 min•Ep 417•Transcript available on Metacast The Infamous Case of the Murder of “Lord” George Sanger News of the Times Episode 416 | 1911 It is 1911 and darling of society, consummate showman, and friend of the royal family, Lord George Sanger, is brutally axed in his home whilst being read to by one of his employees. The alleged culprit? A previous employee that was let go when £50 vanished from the premises. A complaint was also made of him regarding a woman in Lord Sanger’s employ. And, the alleged murderer, whose enormous strength enab...
Dec 02, 2024•33 min•Ep 416•Transcript available on Metacast Murderous Cases of Real Life Sweeney Todds News of the Times Episode 415 | 1156 - 1895 The legend of Sweeney Todd has fascinated and horrified audiences for generations. While the infamous barber and his pie-making accomplice, Mrs. Lovett, are creations of Victorian Penny Dreadfuls, their grisly tale has parallels in chilling true crime stories throughout history. Today, we’ll delve into three spine-tingling accounts that echo the macabre legend of Sweeney Todd. Our first story takes us to the m...
Nov 29, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Case of the Rotherhithe Murder News of the Times Episode 414 | 1893 1893 London, some four miles from Whitechapel, and ripper fear is still alive and well. Screams have been heard in the early morning hours. Neighbours rush out and find on the streets in a heap a known unfortunate. Jenny Hinks, 45, real name Jane Thompson, has had her throat slit and lies in a state not too unfamiliar from pictures that had been seen and studied from the ripper crimes some few years ago. The murder made the ...
Nov 27, 2024•36 min•Ep 414•Transcript available on Metacast The Victorian Murder Case at the Byfleet Inn News of the Times Episode 413 | 1924 In today’s true crime documentary episode, we travel back to Surrey in 1924, where a shocking and violent death has unfolded. A publican and Inn owner, Mr. Jones, has died suddenly after drinking his usual morning hangover seltzer. His wife is left both stunned and alarmed, quickly calling the local doctor for help. But tragically, it's too late. Within the hour, Mr. Jones passes away from what appears to be a...
Nov 25, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Victorian Murder Case of Wormwood Scrubs News of the Times Episode 411 | 1893 In today’s episode it is 1893, London. Victorian England still remembers the ripper as the police divisions as a whole attempt to recover from the disastrous reputation garnered from the recognised botched handling of those gruesome murders. One evening, outside one of London’s prison walls, in a wasteland called “the Scrubs”, the body of a young woman is found. Her head has been literally bashed in on one side wit...
Nov 22, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Worst Woman on Earth - Serial Killer Lizzie Halliday News of the Times Episode 410 | 1879 - 1893 In 1893, one woman was given the unique appellation, locally and in the international papers, of “worst woman on earth”. In some papers she was referred to as the “Jack the Ripper in female form” or “Jill the Ripper”. Sadly, Lizzie Halliday, clearly suffering from severe mental health issues, was not placed consistently into care until a multitude of people had been murdered by her. Even within t...
Nov 20, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Monsters of London - Discover London's Sinister Side News of the Times Episode 409 | 1790 - 1834 In today’s episode we look at three cases from London crime history where the perpetrator was labelled a “monster” by the press and public. Our first case from 1790 was infamous in its day and remembered for decades. Women, usually attractively dressed, were being randomly attacked, often in daylight whilst walking in better parts of London. The stab wounds were often aimed at the buttocks and t...
Nov 18, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Murderous Butcher Bichel - The Butcher and the Ripper News of the Times Episode 408 | 1808 & 1888 1888 London, and all of England is highly disturbed by the horrendous slashings taking place in Whitechapel which are both horrific and seemingly motiveless. Investigative reporters, scientists and historians come out to see if a precedent can be found that may help explain the mind of the killer haunting the streets of Whitechapel. From here, the story of Andreas Bichel comes to the forefront f...
Nov 15, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Blazing Car Murder News of the Times Episode 407 | 1930 In today’s episode it is 1930 and one case is leading in all the national papers for weeks. A car is found in full blaze. People are horrified to discover that a human body is found within the blaze. The horror deepens as it is found that the person within the car was alive whilst being incinerated. Thankfully, the car license plate is not touched and the car is able to be traced to a man who has been missing from his home for some days...
Nov 13, 2024•41 min•Ep 407•Transcript available on Metacast News of the Times Episode 406 | 1896 & 1903 In today’s episode, we explore the case of Henry Starr, convicted of one brutal murder, but suspected of two. In 1896, Henry Starr has been paying his attention to young attractive Eleanor Coulthard. The parents become increasingly concerned over this entanglement and send her away, but Henry follows. On an evening out, witnessed by several, Eleanor is found the next morning floating in the river. Coincidentally, Henry was seen late the prior eveni...
Nov 11, 2024•38 min•Ep 406•Transcript available on Metacast The Case of Sweet Fanny Adams - Famous Victorian Murder News of the Times Episode 405 | 1867 In today’s episode, it is 1867 Alton, near Guildford. A crime so shocking and so brutal has taken place that it is still well remembered over 100 years later. Three small children are playing together in a field when they are approached by a man who smells of alcohol. He offers to help them to pick berries. Then, he offers two of the children money to go away and offers money to 7 ½ year old Fanny to go ...
Nov 08, 2024•37 min•Ep 405•Transcript available on Metacast The Horrifying Hyde Park Murder News of the Times Episode 404 | 1915 In today’s episode, we are in the heart of London in 1915. Local resident, Alice Elizabeth Jarman, described as weak minded and suffering a walking impediment, is found brutally murdered and cruelly left in a ditch in Hyde Park. A terrible case, but sadly not a case that is distinguishably remarkable. Until news is released that the horrific wounds she received were made with a bayonet. There is an army barracks quite close, an...
Nov 06, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Marston Moor Murders - A Ghostly Tale News of the Times Episode 403 | 1903 In today’s episode, it is 1903, near Yorkshire at famed bloodbath location of the Marston Moors. This renowned haunted location is being watched by two gamekeepers as there has been a recent surge in poaching. A torrential thunderstorm, a figure in the distance, a creepy face, some spooky mist all ends in two bodies at different locations within the moor. The Marston Moor murders was a famous story in its day that mad...
Nov 04, 2024•34 min•Ep 403•Transcript available on Metacast The Campden Wonder - 17th Century Murder Mystery News of the Times Episode 401 | 1660 - 1662 We launch our start of “Notorious” November with this very famous case from 1660 under the restoration reign of Charles II. The case, named the Campden Wonder – something of a mystery – remained relevant for centuries – still being referenced in late Victorian records. A highly respected steward is off to the neighbouring village to collect the rents from the tenants for the Lady whom he works for. He in...
Nov 01, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Demon Drummer of Cortachy Castle News of the Times Episode 401 | 1844 In today’s episode it is 1844 and we are in Scotland at the family seat of the Ogilvie’s. The story recounts the visit of Miss Dalrymple who, with other guests, has come to stay for a few days in the famed family halls. Having settled in her room from her long carriage ride, and already dressed for dinner, she awaits the signal to inform her to come down to dinner. Musing by the fire, she hears the sound of drumming – a tr...
Oct 30, 2024•30 min•Ep 401•Transcript available on Metacast The Holborn Horror & Ramsgate Reckoning - Serial Murders News of the Times Episode 400 | 1865 This case from 1865 was horrific and beyond disturbing. A coffee shop with rooms above agrees to lodge overnight three young boys, aged 10, 8 and 6. The man who brings them in is polite and asks that the boys stay on their own. The café agrees. The man takes them out for a walk during the day, feeds them, locks them in their rooms and leaves. He promises to be back the next morning. When he does not...
Oct 28, 2024•49 min•Ep 400•Transcript available on Metacast The Trouble with Harriet - Two Murderous Tales News of the Times Episode 398 | 1836 & 1843 In today’s episode we look at two cases involving women named Harriet. Our first case from 1836 involves 21-year-old unhappily married Harriet Tarver. Harriet’s husband, Thomas, has abandoned her at least once and has only come back with some forceful parish pressure. A bit of a do-it-yourself health enthusiast, he has taken a few tablets of his own concoction, as well as the rice pudding Harriet has l...
Oct 25, 2024•44 min•Ep 398•Transcript available on Metacast Disturbing Cases of Severed Heads News of the Times Episode 53 | 1880 - 1885 In today’s episode we dip further into disturbing tales with three stories where scientists of the time, inspired by Marry Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein, look to re-animate heads of criminals who faced the guillotine. In Victorian society, there was no punishment worse than having one’s body interfered with in unnatural experimentation. Our first story from 1880 is a crime so infamous and disturbing, it was referenc...
Oct 23, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
