S18E07 | Michael Holding (Banchory, Aberdeenshire, 2007)

In this episode, I tell the story of Avril Dunn, a 26-year-old woman murdered in Luton, Bedfordshire, on September 14, 1985.Avril went to The Heron, a local pub, that Saturday evening and was seen playing darts with some of the other regulars.Leaving at around 10.30 pm, Avril is thought to have been seen in the company of a tall, fair-haired man who drove away from the pub in a light-coloured Opel Manta.Her body was found at 7:30 am the following day. Still, her killer wouldn't be caught until thirteen years later when advances in DNA technology allowed scientists to match samples recovered from Avril's clothes to one of their key suspects at the time of her murder.Duncan Jackson, a father of four, was found guilty of Avril's murder in January 2000 and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years.Chillingly, Duncan took part in reenacting Avril's case in the March 1986 episode of Crimewatch UK.**The following is NOT a sponsored message**If you are suffering from an eating disorder or are concerned that someone you know is, please consider contacting Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity:Beat (ENG): 0808 801 0677Beat (SCO): 0808 801 0432Beat (WAL): 0808 801 0433Beat (NI): 0808 801 0434For 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/avrildunn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Sep 202326min

In this episode, I tell the story of Barbara Waterhouse, a 5-year-old girl murdered in Horsforth, Leeds, on June 6, 1891.Whilst out playing with her friends, Barbara suddenly disappeared after last being seen perusing some advertisements through a shop window.Her body was discovered wrapped in a shawl four days later on Alexander Street in Leeds city centre, a stone's throw away from the Town Hall.The person responsible for her murder was soon revealed to be 32-year-old weaver Walter Lewis Turner.He was sentenced to death and hanged at Armley Gaol by James Billington on August 18, 1891.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/barbarawaterhouse Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Aug 202327min

In this episode, I tell the story of George Russell, a 35-year-old Police Constable murdered in Oxenholme, Cumbria, on February 10, 1965.George and several other Cumberland and Westmorland Constabulary officers attempted to hunt down an armed car thief and tracked him down to the waiting room at Oxenholme Lake District Railway Station.The gunman shot his revolver at George, killing him, as well as Inspector Alfred Harrison and PC Alexander Archibald, both of whom sustained injuries but were not killed.A few hours later, the gunman was finally apprehended by PC Geoffrey Harrington and PC Derek Thompson.Later revealed to be a labourer called John Middleton, the gunman had attempted to take his own life with the revolver but failed. The bullet was later removed from his head, leaving him with permanent brain damage.Middleton was deemed unfit to stand trial in June 1965 and was ordered by Mr Justice Brabin to be admitted to a secure hospital at the discretion of the Home Secretary.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/georgerussell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 Aug 202328min

I welcome journalist and writer Robin Jarossi back to the show in this interview episode to discuss his book 'The Real Ted Hastings: The True Story of the Copper at the Heart of Line of Duty'.'Line of Duty' holds its status as today's defining TV crime drama. The conspiracy theme of the series chimes at a time when public institutions and representatives are distrusted.Ted Hastings, the show's head of anti-corruption, has emerged as the beating heart of the series. Robin's book reveals how the compelling drama reflects real crimes, events and figures, most notably that of Robert Mark and his battle against Met corruption.During his four years and eleven months as commissioner, Mark saw 478 men leave the force following or in anticipation of criminal/disciplinary proceedings. Departures in the previous decade had averaged about 16 a year.Mark's extraordinary career established the need for a dedicated team to investigate corruption that lives on today.Robin's book was released on May 11, 2023, and is available to purchase here:The Real Ted Hastings | Mardle BooksRobin can be reached at his website:jarossi.com***This interview was recorded on May 18, 2023.For all things British Murders, please visit my website:britishmurders.comIntro music:David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Aug 202335min

In this episode, I tell the story of Ricky Wyatt, a 34-year-old father-of-one who was murdered in Laindon, Essex, on September 1, 2006.Ricky was confronted by 32-year-old Kathryn Taylor and 29-year-old Matthew Boulton in a car park on Little Lullaway before being stabbed by the former.The encounter was rumoured to have occurred over a £5 drug debt, but Judge Clegg dismissed that claim at Basildon Crown Court.Regardless, the jury found Taylor guilty of Ricky's murder, and she was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years.Boulton was found guilty of assisting an offender and handed a two-and-a-half-year sentence.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/rickywyatt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Aug 202324min

In this episode, I discuss the story of Alan Livesey, a 14-year-old schoolboy and Army Cadet who was murdered in bizarre circumstances in 1979.On February 22, Alan was left home alone when his dad, Bob, left for his night shift, and his mum, Margaret, headed to the pub with her friend and secret lover.A few hours later, Alan was brutally murdered in his home, and his body was only discovered after Margaret sent her friend Eileen's son, Leslie, to her house to check on him.Margaret claimed to have headed straight for Eileen's house after returning from the pub, but she is suspected of having killed her son first and signed a confession stating as much before she quickly withdrew it.Add to that several witness testimonies indicating there was another male in the house with Alan whilst his mum was at the pub, which takes the complexity of this mystery to another level.Still, Margaret was found guilty of murdering Alan and handed a life sentence on July 26. She served ten years (incorrectly stated as being thirteen in the episode) before being released in 1989 and subsequently passed away in February 2001 after succumbing to throat cancer.The case aired on an episode of Rough Justice in October 1983, and many, including Margaret's other son, Derek, believe she is innocent. Sadly, it looks like the truth will now never be known.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/alanlivesey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Aug 202327min

I welcome Martin Brunt to the show in this interview episode to discuss his career as a crime correspondent.Since joining Sky News for its launch in 1989, Martin has delivered a series of exclusive reports while covering the Cromwell Street killings, the murder of TV presenter Jill Dando, the trial of terrorist Carlos the Jackal, the London 7/7 bombings, the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and the Hatton Garden diamond heist.Before Sky News launched, he was chief reporter at the Sunday Mirror and worked for local newspapers in Kent.Martin is known for his unparalleled connections and specialist knowledge that allow him to see beyond a specific crime and view the context in which it has been committed.A police press officer once told a rival reporter: "Ask Martin Brunt. He knows everything before we do."Martin's first book, 'No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter', was released on April 25, 2023, and is available to purchase here:No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason | Biteback Publishing***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.

6 Aug 202332min

In this episode, I discuss the tragic story of Janet Commins, a 15-year-old schoolgirl who was sexually assaulted and killed in 1976.Janet had planned to meet her friends at the local swimming baths on January 7, but her mum, Eileen, did not permit her to go as she looked pale and unwell. Sneaking out and leaving a note behind, Janet was never seen alive by her parents again.This case features a massive miscarriage of justice, with the first murder trial occurring in June 1976. 18-year-old Noel Jones was accused of murdering Janet and, bizarrely, admitted manslaughter even though he was innocent and was handed a 12-year prison sentence, serving six.Forty years later, 57-year-old Stephen Hough was arrested on an unrelated matter and had his DNA taken. It matched DNA found on samples taken from Janet's body.Like Noel, Hough was found guilty of manslaughter in July 2017 and handed a 12-year sentence.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/janetcommins Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 Aug 202331min