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Artwork by Spencer Wilson

Music by Premium Beat

Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle

Tracks featured in this episode:

• Hacking by La Cigale
• Nighthawks by Cosmo Lawson
• Jaded by Cosmo Lawson
• Quiet Winter Piano by Sunshime Music
• Heavy Hearts by Little Red Church

Si was a Sergeant for Surrey Police in 2002 when his team was assigned a seemingly routine missing persons case involving a 13-year-old girl.

Little did he realise, almost a quarter of a century later, we'd still be talking about it...

The girl's name was Amanda 'Milly' Dowler, and her abduction and murder at the hands of Levi Bellfield has become one of the most notorious and controversial cases in recent criminal history.

It exposed the murky and divisive relationship between the press and the police. Shone a light on despicable reporting practices like phone hacking and the bribing of officials… and even helped to bring down a national newspaper.

But for those first few desperate hours, as her family clung to hope, Si was in charge of the hunt to find her.

Now he's telling his story for the first time.

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Artwork by Spencer Wilson

Music by Premium Beat

Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle

Tracks featured in this episode:

• Desolate World by Immersive Music
• Closing Out by Vesper Tapes
• Whispers of Midnight by Tom Olivier
• Hush Now My Heart by Cool Cat Music
• The Remaining by Emmett Cooke

Susan Moore was the very first person I interviewed for Caught Up in Crime.

In The Major and the Pop Pirate she talked about the death of her father, Reg Calvert, who was killed by Oliver Smedley at a cottage in Essex in 1966.

The episode remains one of the most popular in the history of the podcast - and much of that is down Susan's candid and passionate account of Reg's personality. Her telling casts significant doubt on the official narrative that Smedley shot Reg in self-defence, and paints a picture of her father as a calm man who came to negotiate that night, and lost his life at the hands of a calculating killer.

Very sadly, Susan died in July 2026. Right up to the end she was a vehement defender of her father's memory - and she was immensely proud of the trilogy of books she wrote about her parents, Reg and Dorothy.

I can heartily recommend the series, and it is available to buy on Amazon.

This Bonus Episode is a tribute to Susan and revisits her contribution to the podcast.

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Artwork by Spencer Wilson

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Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle

When Natalie Doig started Weird in the Wade - a podcast about strange goings-on in her home town of Biggleswade - she had no idea it would become a smash-hit, spawning a range of merchandise, live shows and ghost tours.

But such is the fascination people have with stories about true crime and the paranormal.

One tale in particular has captivated this small town in Bedfordshire for nearly two centuries.

In 1843, Sarah Dazley was executed for the murder of her second husband, William. She was also accused of killing her first husband and her baby. She became known as 'The Potton Poisoner' - and her restless spirit still haunts the town today.

Join us for a whistlestop tour of weird history, vengeful Victorians and haunted Poundstretchers.

Listen to Weird in the Wade on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Artwork by Spencer Wilson

Music by Premium Beat

Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle

Tracks featured in this episode:

• Mystery Toy by Boomer
• Hush Now by Michelle Carter
• Lost Souls by Chris Haigh
• Saw Dust by Adieu Adieu

In 1994, Nick was new to Chesham. He befriended the landlord of the Black Cat pub, and would occasionally help out behind the bar.

One day, when Nick was the only person on shift, a man walked into the pub and told the regulars they would see him on the TV news that night. He returned later that evening, but this time he was armed with two hand grenades and a machete.

Nick kept the man talking for several hours as he told of his marriage beakdown and fiddled with the release pins on the grenades. Meanwhile, terrified punters were escaping through the window in the Gents, and police marksmen were gathering in the carpark...

This is a tale of Hollywood drama in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside.

Now, Nick tells his story, for the very first time.

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Artwork by Spencer Wilson

Music by Premium Beat

Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle

Tracks featured in this episode:

• Dark Encounters by Lost Harmonies
• Hard Decisions by Lost Harmonies
• Car Chase by Wolves
• Stay There by Nicklaus Vogel

Outro: Like Thunder by Colin Fraser

Peter Sutcliffe terrorised West Yorkshire in the late 1970s, killing 13 women and attacking many more.

He was caught nearly fifty years ago - and he's been dead for five - but his face is still instantly recognisable. His name synonymous with evil and brutality.

Writers Sally-Anne Martyn and Daniel Sellers were both just children at the time of Sutcliffe's crimes, but grew up in the heartlands of Yorkshire and watched as their families and communities were devastated by the man the media dubbed The Ripper.

The Sutcliffe case has had a lasting impact on the criminal justice system and influenced the way we look at prejudices in society, particularly the way victims are portrayed.

But it has also had a profound effect on the way Daniel and Sally Anne write.

In Daniel's crime novels and Sally Anne's psychological thrillers, the ghost of Sutcliffe is ever-present. The Shadow in The North.

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Artwork by Spencer Wilson

Music by Premium Beat

Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle

Tracks featured in this episode:

• True Crime by Tea Time
• Night Falls by Lost Harmonies
• Blueprints by Tom Olivier
• Whispers in the Attic by Cosmo Lawson

Outro: Wild Mountain Thyme by Harpo Marks

Tom visits Reading Magistrates Court with his old university friend Sian.

In the dock are those accused of drug dealing, shoplifting, jumping bail and a whole range of other crimes and misdemeanours. The Court hustles and bustles with lawyers, legal advisors, police officers, translators, and robed attendants, but there is no doubt who is in charge: A no-nonsense, middle-aged Irishwoman sits right in the middle of proceedings, and though hers is a voluntary position and she's never studied at the Bar, her word is the Law.

Magistrates are a vital part of the British legal system. They are the first port of call for defendants in 95% of criminal cases - from terrorists to those accused of speeding.

For Sian, it is her first taste of what to expect when SHE takes up the position of Magistrate. Her application is in, and she's waiting for a vacancy to come up in her local area.

It's almost like her entire career has been leading to this moment. Calling her to the Bench.

If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com or contact me at tom@shinebrighterconsulting.co.uk

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Artwork by Spencer Wilson

Music by Premium Beat

Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle

Tracks featured in this episode:

• Timeless Piano by Immersive Music
• Sweet Little Things by Jack Pierce
• A Palace in the Pines by Big Score Audio
• Ticking Time by Eskimotion

Kevin Sanders is nearing the end of his sentence at the notorious Lewisburg federal penitentiary in Pennsylvania. He's been in prison for nearly 10 years, but he is quiet and nonviolent, and doesn't fit in at Lewisburg - which is home to some of the worst criminals in the country.

Kevin wants to just keep his head down and serve out his time, but he becomes embroiled in a brutal gang war instigated by the Aryan Brotherhood. One morning he finds himself locked in an exercise cage with a sworn enemy of the Brotherhood, and faces a stark choice: Fight or die.

His case is picked by a public defender named Scott Powell who ropes in his old school friend Carla Conti to tell Scott's story. Carla and Kevin become unlikely friends as the team fights to clear Kevin's name, and expose the corruption and gang violence that is rife in America's federal prisons.

But before long, both Kevin's and Carla's lives are in danger.

You can buy Carla's book Chained Birds from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKWFG9F4

And preorder her next book, The Jacklighter, from Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carlaconti/the-jacklighter-a-true-crime-story - where there are also bundles available that include the eBook and audiobook of Chained Birds.

If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com or contact me at tom@shinebrighterconsulting.co.uk

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Artwork by Spencer Wilson

Music by Premium Beat

Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle

Tracks featured in this episode:

• Private Investigation by Peter McIsaac Music
• Set the World on Fire by Ferrari Tzar
• IRL by Wolves
• Moody Western by Brightside Studio
• Down in the Canyon by Ryan Scott