Crime Next Door

In July 1991, a 15-year-old is tried for murder. Barbara Glover is led into Glasgow’s High Court where her name is revealed. She’s still a child but the judge lifts reporting restrictions. When Barbara gives evidence, she tells a story of jealousy and lies that results in the headline: ‘Blood Over a Boy’. Written and produced by Audrey Gillan and Laurence Cook Series Editor: Shelley Jofre Commissi...

Diane Watson’s best friend Pauline Love helps carry her home, just yards away from the playground. When Diane’s parents – Jim and Margaret - open the door they are horrified to find their child bleeding and struggling for breath. Their son Alan returns to find his big sister lying on the hall floor, surrounded by paramedics. Audrey meets teachers from Whitehill Secondary to hear about the effect D...

On the 10th of April 1991, Diane Watson and Barbara Glover stand in the middle of a school playground, surrounded by a circle of children. Barbara has come armed with a knife. Why? Written and produced by Audrey Gillan and Laurence Cook Series Editor: Shelley Jofre Commissioner: Heather Kane Darling Head of Audio for BBC Scotland: Victoria Easton-Riley Legal Advisor: Ros McInnes Editorial Policy A...

In 1991 – a teenage girl takes a knife to school and commits murder in the middle of a playground full of children. The killing of Diane Watson devastates her family and shocks a whole country. Following her trial, the killer, 15-year-old Barbara Glover, is detained ‘without limit of time’. But, for the Watson family, the grief and pain is far from over. Audrey Gillan traces the ripple effects of...

The story of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan. In 1991 they were murdered by their spouses who then staged a scene to make it look like they had taken their own lives. 18 years later - one of the killers decided to confess. Episode 6– The Ring Dr Lauren Bradford Clarke was just four years old when her mother Lesley Howell was murdered by her father Colin. He was assisted in the killing by the wom...

The story of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan. In 1991 they were murdered by their spouses who then staged a scene to make it look like they had taken their own lives. 18 years later - one of the killers decided to confess. Episode 5 – The Trial Colin Howell’s police interviews reveal the true extent of Hazel’s role in the murders of Lesley and Trevor, but Hazel claims she was under his control....

The story of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan. In 1991 they were murdered by their spouses who then staged a scene to make it look like they had taken their own lives. 18 years later - one of the killers decided to confess. Episode 4 – The Secret After the killing of Lesley and Trevor, Colin and Hazel continue their secret affair. Lesley’s daughter Lauren begins to see Hazel as a mother figure, u...

The story of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan. In 1991 they were murdered by their spouses who then staged a scene to make it look like they had taken their own lives. 18 years later - one of the killers decided to confess. Episode 3 – The Innocent On the day of their son’s second birthday, Colin Howell prepares to murder his wife Lesley and phones Hazel to confirm the plan is going ahead that ni...

The story of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan. In 1991 they were murdered by their spouses who then staged a scene to make it look like they had taken their own lives. 18 years later - one of the killers decided to confess. Episode 2 - The Affair In a close-knit Baptist church community in Coleraine, Northern Ireland - Hazel Buchanan, married to a local RUC officer - begins a secret affair with m...

The story of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan. In 1991 they were murdered by their spouses who then staged a scene to make it look like they had taken their own lives. 18 years later - one of the killers decided to confess. Episode 1 - The 12 Apostles When the bodies of Trevor Buchanan and Lesley Howell are found in a garage in the quiet coastal village of Castlerock, Northern Ireland - police be...

The story of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan. In 1991 they were murdered by their spouses who then staged a scene to make it look like they had taken their own lives. 18 years later - one of the killers decided to confess. In Crime Next Door: The Confession; family, friends, former police officers and journalists tell the story of a much loved mother and sister, an adored father and brother – an...

As police put out a renewed appeal, we question whether long ignored patterns of sexual violence raise the possibility of a serial offender and whether Diane’s killer could have been stopped. We are also reminded that Diane Sindall’s murder is not just about the past as we visit a vigil for victims of violence against women. Presenter: Olivia Graham. Producers: Kate Bissell, Gemma Maull and Olivia...

A Geographical Profiler looks at the two locations connected to Diane Sindall’s murder. It’s suggested that Diane’s killer was local and may have struck before. As new testimony suggests Diane may not have been attacked in the alleyway and emerging accounts name a local figure, the investigation edges closer to a new suspect. Presenter: Olivia Graham. Producers: Kate Bissell, Gemma Maull and Olivi...

Returning to Birkenhead in the wake of Peter Sullivan’s release, we focus on Diane Sindall and the community still living with her murder. Peter shares details of his arrest, interviews and alleged police pressure, alongside renewed police enquiries that revisit overlooked witnesses and potential suspects. As officers collect fresh DNA and old memories resurface, the search begins anew for the man...

Recorded on the day of Peter Sullivan’s appeal as judges consider DNA evidence unavailable in 1987. As the new evidence points to an unknown male, decades-old evidence crumbles under scrutiny. The court delivers its decision leaving one devastating truth intact: Diane’s killer has not been found. Presenter: Olivia Graham. Producers: Kate Bissell, Gemma Maull and Olivia Graham. Sound Design and Mus...

Years after Peter Sullivan’s conviction, community whispers claim the police convicted the wrong man. Peter refuses to admit guilt and as advances in DNA testing offer a possible breakthrough for him. His legal team battle missing records, discredited forensic methods and a system reisitant to reopening old wounds. Until one crucial test changes everything. Presenter: Olivia Graham. Producers: Kat...

Diane Sindall’s murder ignites a movement with women across Birkenhead. Fueled by anger and grief they challenge police attitudes, confront society’s view of women and demand change. Against this backdrop Peter Sullivan stands trial. We examine the case built against him with contested confessions, disputed forensic evidence and testimony the jury never heard. Presenter: Olivia Graham. Producers:...

The hunt for Diane Sindall’s killer uncovers another victim who was dressed in yellow and attacked near the scene on the same night, raising fears of a serial attacker in Birkenhead. A police appeal focuses on the mysterious “woman in yellow”. As the investigation continues, the police uncover more attacks on women in the area and frustrations grow as leads collapse. Meanwhile, details of Diane’s...

In 1986, Diane Sindall leaves work to drive home but never arrives. What happened that night marks the start of a decades long unsolved case. Through testimony from those who knew her and those who encountered the crime scene, we look at Diane’s final movements, the violent nature of her attack and the growing fear gripping Birkenhead, a town on the Wirral in Merseyside. As we find out more, troub...

The murder of Diane Sindall in Birkenhead, Merseyside led to Britain’s longest miscarriage of justice when local man Peter Sullivan's conviction collapsed after 38 years. This series returns to the streets, alleyways and estates of Birkenhead where it all happened, retracing Diane’s final movements. Follow through eyewitness testimony, unheard accounts and modern forensic science as we uncover how...

With the crime apparently solved, one unanswered question continues to hang over the village - and everyone connected to the case - a quarter of a century on. Presenter: Meic Parry Story Producer: Andrew Dickson Assistant Producer: Katie Hill Executive Producer: Leonie Thomas Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine Pre-production research: Jess Gunasekara Legal advice: Clare Hoban. Mus...

As journalists get a first glimpse of the accused in court, they face strict secrecy around reporting his identity. Meanwhile, detectives face a reckoning – will the case hold up? Presenter: Meic Parry Story Producer: Andrew Dickson Assistant Producer: Katie Hill Executive Producer: Leonie Thomas Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine Music: Cerys Hafana Mixing and Sound Design: Mike...

With a prime suspect no-one ever expected, detectives race against time to uncover the truth behind his unassuming appearance – and secure the evidence that could prove his guilt. Presenter: Meic Parry Story Producer: Andrew Dickson Assistant Producer: Katie Hill Executive Producer: Leonie Thomas Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine Music: Cerys Hafana Mixing and Sound Design: Mike...

As police make an appeal for information on primetime TV, a phone call promises to unlock the entire case. The tip-off leads detectives somewhere they could have never expected. Presenter: Meic Parry Story Producer: Andrew Dickson Assistant Producer: Katie Hill Executive Producer: Leonie Thomas Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine Music: Cerys Hafana Mixing and Sound Design: Mike Wo...

As Christmas approaches, the village is left reeling by a new death in their midst. As the rumour mill goes into overdrive, a ghostly piece of evidence appears before police eyes. Presenter: Meic Parry Story Producer: Andrew Dickson Assistant Producer: Katie Hill Executive Producer: Leonie Thomas Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine Music: Cerys Hafana Mixing and Sound Design: Mike...