The Achill Atrocity - Ireland True crime News of the Times Episode 332 | 1894 It is 1894 on a remote island in Ireland and a fire has taken place at one of the larger estate houses. Agnes M’Donnel is found, barely alive, her face has been bashed repeatedly and it appears that her nose and part of her lip have been bitten off. She unexpectedly and miraculously survives. Once fully conscious, Agnes is able to give full details of the night of the crime and points the finger decisively on an ex-emp...
Jun 19, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Scotland Yard Casebook – The Seddon Case News of the Times Episode 331 | 1911 In today’s episode, it is 1911 North London. A wealthy spinster lodger has died in the Seddon household. She has been poorly for a few weeks. The doctor issues the death certificate and Eliza Barrow, the spinster, is buried in a cheap grave. But, by chance, Eliza’s relatives have heard of her death and are baffled why they had not been contacted. Looking further into it, it would seem that despite Eliza’s wealth, she w...
Jun 17, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Thomas Jeffries, - The Monster News of the Times Episode 330 | 1826 In today’s episode it is 1826 Van Diemen’s Land, now known as Tasmania. As the arguably worst of the penal colonies, and with rush rangers running wild attacking lone farm settlers, it can be a dangerous place to be. Of all the convicts and all the bush rangers, there is one who stands out. So evil, that a rival bush ranger gang make clear to their own victims that they are completely unrelated to Thomas Jeffries and actually re...
Jun 15, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Wood Green Affair News of the Times Episode 330 | 1825 In today’s episode it is 1869 in North London. Frederick Hinson, who is undergoing some monetary issues, and who is known to have an occasional drinking problem, suspects his live in partner of having an affair with their neighbour, wealthy, known playboy William Boyd. His partner, Maria, was a governess of a well to do family and socially, she is most probably above him. Yet, the two have lived comfortably together for some years. Feari...
Jun 14, 2024•35 min•Ep 329•Transcript available on Metacast Killing to Catch a Husband News of the Times Episode 327 | 1831 & 1835 Today we look at two stories where the ultimate motivation of killing is to catch a husband. Our first case from 1831 takes place in Coventry, where Mary Ann Higgins, orphan, has been taken in by her kindly uncle who treats her as a daughter. Mary Ann has many admirers but settles on good looking Edward Clarke. Alas, Clarke’s primary focus seems to be getting his hands on her uncle’s money. To keep him, Mary Ann complies....
Jun 12, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Curious Case of William Chevis News of the Times Episode 326 | 1931 1931 Aldershot and Lieut Chevis, halfway through his favourite meal, Manchurian Partridge, very shortly afterwards is beset by excruciating pain and dies within a few hours by strychnine poisoning. To add to the mystery, the family dog vanishes shortly afterwards and is then found dead. On the day of his son’s funeral, Lieut Chevis’s ex Judge father, receives a cruel telegram from Dublin with the words: “Hooray Hooray Hooray...
Jun 10, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Camden Town Murder Mystery News of the Times Episode 324 | 1907 1907 Camden Town London and upon returning home from his night shift on the train, Mr Shaw comes home to discover his girlfriend, pretty flirtatious Emily Dimmock brutally slain, half naked in bed. An effort seems to have been made to stage a robbery, but police are unconvinced. The severity of the crime, whilst Emily was sleeping, would seem to indicate a personal grudge. Scotland Yard are brought in and, working with the slend...
Jun 08, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Crimes of the Many William Hills News of the Times Episode 324 | 1802 - 1837 This episode looks at three William Hills in England between 1802 to 1837. All three Williams are accused of outraging (rape). All three Williams hold very different positions in society. All three Williams refute the charges against them. The first William from 1802 stands accused of ravishing a young student of his. The second William from 1803 is accused of ravishing the wife of a local labourer with great brutality....
Jun 07, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stories of Jealous and Jilted News of the Times Episode 323 | 1844 & 1878 Our first case from 1844 was so famous it was commemorated with a memorial of the poor victim. Charlotte, a notably attractive milk maid with a list of men interested in her, works with Mathew Weekes. Mathew, lame, pockmarked and missing several teeth, has been enamoured with Charlotte for some time. On a quiet Sunday afternoon, he sees her walking along the path and catches up with her to converse with her. Charlotte,...
Jun 05, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Capturing the Killer News of the Times Episode 322 | 1786 1783 England. In today’s episode we look at two cases from 1873 where the emphasis is on catching the killer. In our first case, it is mid day and Mary is walking along the path on her way to do some tasks. Martin Laas, spots her, follows her, and accosts her for money. Mary declines. The brutal murder that follows on from the robbery entails stripping her naked and jumping on her to death in a ditch. Our second case told in the papers fo...
Jun 03, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Sinful Saint - Franz Riembauer News of the Times Episode 321 | 1829 It is 1829 Bavaria and Pastor Franz Riembauer, who some refer to as a living saint, stands accused by a 17 year old girl of having stolen her family’s farm, gotten her sister pregnant, killed and buried another mistress and then killed her sister and more as witnesses. Her statements that are deemed improbable are nevertheless investigated. What unravels from investigations is a long litany of illegalities, three known murde...
Jun 01, 2024•48 min•Ep 321•Transcript available on Metacast The Tollesbury Murder Mystery News of the Times Episode 320 | 1851 It is 1851 Tollesbury – a small fishing village in Essex. The men have all gone to the local oyster harvesting business to start work. All of the men, except one. As the women start the morning with the household chores, the air is pierced by the screams of a young child who, upon wakening, finds her mother brutally slaughtered in bed. This case, deemed atrocious by the press and public due to its brutality, became a well-known m...
May 31, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stories of In-law Issues: Killing the Step-Parent News of the Times Episode 319 | 1870-1871 Is there such a thing as justifiable homicide? Not in 1870 or 1871. In today’s episode we look at two cases where the cliché of evil step-parent holds true and where the victim breaks. In our first case from 1870, young William who holds down a steady job and also volunteers, has been in battle with his new alcoholic stepmother who regularly pawns his clothes, including his required uniform for the volunt...
May 29, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Julia Wallace Murder Mystery News of the Times Episode 318 | 1931 The Julia Wallace Murder Mystery remains enigmatic. Many a theory abounds by various parties who believe they have solved the brutal crime. In this episode we look at the story from the standpoint of the papers. What we have noticed is its eery similarity to the Ramsgate Mystery https://youtu.be/1mjH8qmy6NM some 40 years before. Even the ending of the case has a strange similarity to the Ramsgate case We take a look at the backgro...
May 26, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Murderous Mary Ann Geering News of the Times Episode 316 | 1849 1849 Sussex, and the Geering family are having a string of death misfortunes. First, the father of the family, Richard who was known to be a strong and healthy man, passes after an extreme bout of illness. His caring wife who nursed him states he suffered from a heart condition which is accepted. Then, within months, an older son dies, followed by another son. Neighbours whisper. When a third son also comes down with an illness and ...
May 25, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stories of Employee Revenge News of the Times Episode 315 | 1751 & 1849 In today’s episode we look at murdering a different kind of mistress back in the day – one’s employer. For centuries, this was considered one of the very worst crimes and punishment was meted out rigidly. In our first case, it is 1751 and Norman Ross, a bright lad, has gotten himself into extreme financial difficulties through his dalliance with a fellow servant. Running out of options, he decides to take the extreme ste...
May 24, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Case of the Sinister Schoolmaster News of the Times Episode 314 | 1860 CIt is 1860 Eastbourne and 15 year old Reginald Chancellor / Cancellor has been sent back after Easter holidays to his very expensive boarding school. Reginald is a known slow student. Although the family can see that Reginald has been on the receiving end of corporal punishment at his school, he also seems to be improving academically so the family send him back. They never see Reginald alive again. What unfolds is a cou...
May 22, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Ramsgate Murder Mystery News of the Times Episode 313 | 1893 It is 1893 Ramsgate and Mr Noel, butcher and Wesleyan treasurer and Sunday school teacher, has come home from the Sunday school class he has just taught only to find himself locked out of his house. His wife, who should be home, does not answer. Mr Noel goes to the side window, looks in, only to see his wife dead in a pool of blood. The family dog which is devoted to her is standing guard by her body. The apparent house robbery has...
May 20, 2024•44 min•Ep 313•Transcript available on Metacast Ruthless Richard Edwards News of the Times Episode 312 | 1842 It is 1848 in the mining town of Merthyr Tydfil in Wales. 72 year old Tamar Edwards has gone missing from her small dilapidated cottage within the village. Her son, who has just recently reunited with his wife, has moved her into his mother’s cottage and explains his mother’s disappearance as her having gone to visit in the next parish. The couple sleep in his mother’s bed. It is payday and Edwards, Tamar’s son, must make the trip int...
May 18, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stories of Murders of Mothers News of the Times Episode 311 | 1775 & 1848 The killing of the mother, Matricide, has historically been considered one of the blackest of crimes. In today’s episode we look at two cases where the adult offspring has planned and carried out the murder of their respective mothers with chilling coldness. Our first case from 1775 involves a single mother who runs a girl’s school. Her son, who lives at home and does not seem to have held a viable job, resents being r...
May 17, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stories of Murdered Mistresses News of the Times Episode 310 | 1775 & 1851 Our first story takes place in 1775. The young orphan that was brought into the household of well-respected ex-soldier John Bolton had developed into a beauty. Bolton takes advantage of his position and engages in an intimacy with her. And then she becomes pregnant. The case took on the highest alert possible at that time. Our second case from 1850 was a love match between two youngsters of different social class back...
May 15, 2024•44 min•Ep 310•Transcript available on Metacast The Warley Gap Murder News of the Times Episode 308 | 1903 It is 1903 in the beautiful area of Warley Gap, in Essex. Respectable local girl, Maud Garret, 19, is found terribly brutally slain in a field not far from the 2nd battalion Essex. Maud had been known to be walking with a soldier there – an Edwardian version of dating – and had been seen by many. The murder of a local girl is bad enough, but Maud has been savagely outraged as well as having been beaten multiple times on her face with wha...
May 13, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chilling Charles Boyle News of the Times Episode 308 | 1924 A young girl, upon arriving back to the flat shared with her mother, finds herself unable to get in. Impatiently knocking on the door and receiving no response, she goes to a neighbour and borrows the ley. Opening the door reveals a scene of horror with her mother, and two neighbour children, lying in pools of blood – their throats horrible slashed. This shocking story at the time was used as an impetus to attempt to renew efforts of su...
May 11, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Murderous Stories of Inconvenient In-Laws News of the Times Episode 307 | 1837 & 1861 Those pesky n-laws who get in the way of the whole purpose of having gotten married in the first place. Our first case takes place in 1839. Charles Bartlett, who works as an entertainer with a travelling show, has met and married a young girl, scarcely 18, who brings with her an initial dowry of £45! Upon her mother’s death, she will inherit another £50! Sadly, the mother-in-law is shot at from behind withi...
May 10, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Many Murders of Charles Daines News of the Times Episode 309 | 1839 It is 1839 in a small village outside Norwich. Charles Daines, 50 year old carpenter by trade, has a secret. In the next village is the highly attractive widow, Ann Lloyd. Mrs Lloyd has many admirers, Charles Daines is just one of many. But Charles is already married and his wife, Hannah, stubbornly refuses to die despite his best repeated efforts. Mrs Lloyd has now openly stated that she is considering marrying Mr Hawke who...
May 08, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Southend Murderer: Scotland Yard Casebook News of the Times Episode 305 | 1894 It is 1894 and on the outskirts of a small village, a woman is found dead in a dry brook. She is heavily pregnant and well dressed. She has been shot above her ear; with no gun nearby, this is murder not suicide. Scotland Yard’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are called in and immediately track down a potential suspect, despite his attempts at a change of identity. This remarkable case surrounds a serial ...
May 06, 2024•42 min•Ep 305•Transcript available on Metacast The Stanfield Hall Murders News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840 In 1848 a horrific two slayings, with two attempted slayings, took place in beautiful 13th century Stanfield Hall in Norfolk, The killer, waiting for his moments in the grounds and dressed in cape and mask, methodically went through the house attempting to annihilate the entire family. This case was considered tremendously shocking as a new type of crime – the systematic attempt to slay a whole family without emotion. We take a look ...
May 04, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Killing at Coachford News of the Times Episode 303 | 1887 It is 1887, just in the preamble of the ripper killings that will leave a long-lasting scar on the country’s consciousness. This was a story that consumed the UK. Dr Cross, a highly respected retired military man, and it sounds like a bit of curmudgeon with the locals, has shocked society with his revolving door of buried wife followed quickly by marriage of a girl who could easily be his grandchild. There had been fights and recrimin...
May 03, 2024•38 min•Ep 303•Transcript available on Metacast Two Tales of Revenge News of the Times Episode 302 | 1849 & 1934 In todays episode we look at two tales were mothers feature strongly as does revenge. Our first story from 1849 sees young John Ward making advances to the household servant which is not reciprocated. Wishing to marry her, the mother steps in forcibly with fatal consequences. Our second story from 1934 is highly unusual in several ways: the age of the bride, the carrier pigeon, the strong role of the mothers, and the twisting p...
May 01, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Regent Square Murder: Scotland Yard Casebook News of the Times Episode 301 | 1917 C1917 London and in posh Regent Square a bundle has been found left by an early morning street sweeper. Upon investigation, the body of a woman, missing both head and hands, is found mostly nude and mangled. Scotland Yard are brought on. With no head or hands, identifying the victim is difficult. However, the sacking the body has been placed in offers a wealth of clues to Scotland Yard. We take a look at the cr...
Apr 29, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
