S19E09 | Lawrence Haggart (Larbert, Stirlingshire, 1996)

In this episode, I delve into the story of Debbie Griggs, a pregnant mother-of-three who disappeared from her home without a trace in May 1999.Two decades later, her husband, Andrew, was arrested in connection with her murder, despite no body being found, and was ultimately handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years.Debbie's three sons launched a 'Find our Mum' page on Facebook to protest their father's innocence as they were convinced that their mum was still alive.Finally, after 23 long years of uncertainty, Debbie's remains were found. They had been buried in Andrew's former back garden, thus ending the mystery and providing her friends and family with some much-needed closure.For all things British Murders, please visit my website:⁣britishmurders.com⁣Intro music:⁣David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic⁣References:⁣britishmurders.com/debbiegriggs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 Jul 202330min

I welcome Nicola Stow to the show in this interview episode to discuss her career as a bestselling, award-nominated ghostwriter.A great listener, Nicola has been praised for her approachable and empathetic manner. Throughout her career in journalism, she has developed – and continues to develop – long-lasting relationships with people from all walks of life. Her ability to make people feel at ease has proven invaluable when collaborating with new authors.Nicola has been a journalist for over 20 years covering crime features, news and investigations. She has written for several national publications and websites.Her books have received hundreds of five-star Amazon reviews and ratings, making her one of the UK's top ghostwriters.Nicola's first non-ghostwritten book, 'The Real-Life Murder Clubs: Citizens Solving True Crimes', was released on November 24, 2022, and can be purchased here:The Real Life Murder Clubs | Ad Lib PublishersNicola can be reached at her website:nicolastow.co.uk***This interview was recorded on January 31, 2023.For all things British Murders, please visit my website:https://www.britishmurders.com/Intro music:David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'https://linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Jul 202346min

In this first episode of season 10, I delve into the chilling story of David Heal, a seemingly ordinary man whose life took a tragic turn. Join me as I explore the background and untold details surrounding David's life, from his humble beginnings in Radstock, Somerset, to his time in the British Army and his subsequent career as an electrician.On January 4, 2004, David's peaceful existence in the village of Paulton, near Bath, was brutally shattered. An unthinkable act of violence unfolded inside his home, leaving him lifeless and concealed in a freezer, where his body remained undiscovered for nine days.The perpetrator? Matthew Roberts, the son of David's former girlfriend, Lorraine Harvey.In June 2005, Judge Tom Crowther gave Matthew a 12-year and 7-month prison sentence at Bristol Crown Court for the murder after accepting he had no intention of killing David.For all things British Murders, please visit my website:⁣britishmurders.com⁣Intro music:⁣David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic⁣References:⁣britishmurders.com/davidheal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Jul 202321min

I welcome Welsh author John Williams to the show in this interview episode to discuss his career and the Lynette White murder case.In 1994, John released 'Bloody Valentine', a non-fiction book about the murder of a young woman called Lynette White in the Cardiff docklands (aka Tiger Bay) on Valentine's Day 1988. It's also the story of the miscarriage of justice after three black men, 'The Cardiff Three', were wrongly convicted of her murder.It's a brutally frank tale of racism and police corruption, terrible misogynist violence and the grim realities of sex work. It's a book that got so close to the bone that John was sued for libel by the police and received death threats from various minor characters. It's an unforgettable portrait of life in the underbelly of Thatcher's Britain.John also writes crime fiction under the name "John Lincoln", with his latest effort, 'Grey in the Dark', released on February 23, 2023.You can purchase 'Bloody Valentine' and 'Grey in the Dark' here:Bloody Valentine | Oldcastle BooksGrey in the Dark | No Exit PressYou can learn more about John's work on his website:Home | John Lincoln Williams***This interview was recorded on May 25, 2023.For all things British Murders, please visit my website:https://www.britishmurders.com/Intro music:David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'https://linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 Jul 202346min

In the season 9 special, I'm telling the stories of Wilma McCann, Emily Jackson, Irene Richardson, Patricia Atkinson, Jayne MacDonald, Jean Jordan, Yvonne Pearson, Helen Rytka, Vera Millward, Josephine Whitaker, Barbara Leach, Margeurite Walls and Jacqueline Hill, who each lost their lives at the hands of Peter Sutcliffe, who many knew as "The Yorkshire Ripper".This two-part episode focuses on the stories of those thirteen innocent women - whose names are too often forgotten - ensuring their lives are remembered and not overshadowed by the darkness that befell them.In part 1, I explored the lives of Wilma, Emily, Irene, Patricia, Jayne and Jean, uncovering their stories, dreams, and aspirations.In this second and final part, I do the same with Yvonne, Helen, Vera, Josephine, Barbara, Margeurite and Jacqueline.I also delve into the 'Wearside Jack' hoax, Sutcliffe's arrest, the murder trial and the case's aftermath.⁣⁣For all things British Murders, please visit my website:⁣https://www.britishmurders.com/⁣Intro music:⁣David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣https://linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic⁣References:⁣www.britishmurders.com/theforgotten13part2/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Jun 202345min

I welcome former police officers Matt Johnson and John Murray to the show in this interview episode to discuss their new book 'No Ordinary Day'.On April 17, 1984, as demonstrators gathered outside the Libyan embassy in London, two gunmen waited inside. At 10.18 am, automatic gunfire rained down on the protestors, and WPC Yvonne Fletcher fell, mortally wounded.As his friend lay dying, PC John Murray made her a promise that he would not rest until those responsible had been brought to justice. Thirty-seven years would pass before he was able to fulfil that undertaking.While researching this moving account of one man’s dogged pursuit of justice for a murdered colleague, Matt Johnson uncovered secret-service deals and government duplicity, all part of a plan to force an end to the National Union of Mineworkers strike. He discovered the real reason Yvonne’s killers were allowed to go free and how events that day led to thirty years of growing political control of policing, resulting in the disarray increasingly evident today.The book pulls seemingly unconnected threads into a coherent and shocking whole. It provides startling insights into how decisions taken by our politicians and the actions of our intelligence agencies, supposedly in our best interests, may be anything but.'No Ordinary Day' was released on June 8, 2023, and is available to purchase here:No Ordinary Day | Ad Lib Publishers***This interview was recorded on June 5, 2023.For all things British Murders, please visit my website:https://www.britishmurders.com/Intro music:David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'https://linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 Jun 202344min

In the season 9 special, I tell the stories of Wilma McCann, Emily Jackson, Irene Richardson, Patricia Atkinson, Jayne MacDonald, Jean Jordan, Yvonne Pearson, Helen Rytka, Vera Millward, Josephine Whitaker, Barbara Leach, Margeurite Walls and Jacqueline Hill, who each lost their lives at the hands of Peter Sutcliffe, who many knew as "The Yorkshire Ripper".This two-part episode will focus on the stories of those thirteen innocent women - whose names are too often forgotten - ensuring their lives are remembered and not overshadowed by the darkness that befell them.In this first part, I explore the lives of Wilma, Emily, Irene, Patricia, Jayne and Jean, uncovering their stories, dreams, and aspirations.I also delve into their respective murders, shedding light on the horrifying circumstances that cut their lives short.I'll discuss the crimes' societal impact, the fear that gripped local communities, and the emotional toll endured by the victims' families and friends.Next week I'll do the same with Yvonne, Helen, Vera, Josephine, Barbara, Margeurite and Jacqueline whilst also discussing Sutcliffe's arrest, trial and the case's aftermath.⁣⁣For all things British Murders, please visit my website:⁣https://www.britishmurders.com/⁣Intro music:⁣David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣https://linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic⁣References:⁣www.britishmurders.com/theforgotten13part1/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 Jun 202342min

In this gripping episode recorded live at CrimeCon UK in London, join me as I delve into the tragic events of the July 2005 London bombings.My esteemed panel guests, Ray Fysh, Steven Keogh and Dr Richard Shepherd, bring their front-line expertise and unique perspectives to shed light on the devastating attacks that shook the nation.Drawing from their extensive experiences in law enforcement, counterterrorism, forensic science and forensic pathology, my expert panellists discuss the intricate details of the investigations, the aftermath, and the enduring impact on London and its people.With riveting personal accounts, they reveal the challenges faced by investigators, the emotional toll of such a catastrophic event, and the remarkable resilience of a community united in the face of terror.The panel structure is as follows:Overview of the 7/7 London bombings.What the panellists saw and their roles.The immediate aftermath.The explosives used in the attacks and the device makeup.Overview of the 21/7 attempted London bombings.How forensic science proved the bombers' intent on 21/7 was to kill.For all things British Murders, please visit my website:⁣britishmurders.com⁣Intro music:⁣David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic⁣ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 Jun 202343min