Crime Time Inc

In this episode of Crime Time Inc, hosted solo by Simon Maclean, the focus is on the multifaceted challenges facing Police Scotland. The show features an insightful interview with David Threadgold, the national chair of the Scottish Police Federation, who discusses the morale of officers, resource constraints, and recent changes within the force. The conversation highlights inefficiencies in the c...

In this episode, Tom shares the remarkable story of Violet van der Elst, an almost forgotten yet incredibly influential British campaigner against capital punishment. Stumbling upon her name while researching the Ruxton murders, Tom discovered Violet's enduring fight against the death penalty, motivated by her strong belief in the sanctity of life as guided by her religious convictions. Born into...

In this episode, Tom and the host discuss the captivating story of Gentle Johnny Ramensky, a legendary safe breaker and prison escaper from post-war Scotland. Renowned for his non-violent nature and acrobatic skills, Ramensky became a Robin Hood-like figure whose exploits were widely covered in the tabloids. Born as Johannes Ramanskus to Lithuanian immigrants in Lanarkshire, Johnny learned his pro...

This episode covers a wide range of topics related to policing history and contemporary events. It begins with a discussion on the Elizabeth Emblem, a new award available to families of emergency service personnel who died in the line of duty. Various families have applied, and there are sentiments about the need for further individual recognitions. The conversation then shifts to historical polic...

In this episode of Crime Time Inc., our host, Simon McLean, interviews Mike Bonventre, an extraordinary guest from New York. Mike details his life story, beginning with his family's encounter with organised crime in 1957. His father, an honest exterminator, was approached by the Mafia but refused to collaborate, earning respect within the criminal community. However, years later, after selling his...

In this episode, Simon and Tom engage in a detailed discussion about the evolution of crime investigation, particularly focusing on the mistakes made by senior investigating officers (SIOs) in the past. They explore the concept of 'tunnel vision' and how biases and assumptions can lead to missed opportunities and unsolved cases. The hosts reflect on historical cases, emphasising the importance of...

In this episode of Crime Time Inc., the hosts, Simon and Tom, welcome a special guest, Martin Lupton, a seasoned crime scene investigator. Martin shares his journey from his initial aspirations in aviation to his career switch to the police force, detailing his 31-year tenure starting in 1982. The discussion delves into significant cases he worked on, including the chilling murder of Amanda Duffy...

In this gripping episode of Crime Time Inc., hosts Tom Wood and Simon dive deep into the haunting tale of Burke and Hare, the infamous 19th-century body-snatchers of Edinburgh. The conversation begins with some light-hearted banter before transitioning into the chilling details of Burke and Hare's gruesome activities, providing listeners with a vivid picture of Edinburgh's socio-economic backdrop...

This episode takes a deep dive into one of Scotland's most notorious cases - the story of Burke and Hare, infamously known for their grisly serial murders in 1828 Edinburgh. Our hosts, Tom and Simon, explore the background of these crimes, beginning with the initial interactions between Burke and Hare and setting the stage with detailed descriptions of 19th-century Edinburgh's social and economic...

In this compelling episode of Crime Time Inc., we welcome Jane Hamilton, an esteemed crime reporter with over 25 years of experience in the field, delving into the depths of crime journalism and exploring the intricacies of unsolved cases. Jane shares her journey from aspiring to join the police force to becoming a leading investigative journalist in Scotland, shedding light on her accidental debu...

"Undercover Cop 2" unfolds as a candid conversation between Simon and Tom, offering a deep dive into the world of undercover police work. Simon shares personal anecdotes and insider perspectives, shedding light on the complexities, risks, and ethical dimensions of operating undercover. The discussion starts with lighter moments, including banter about wearing a new Crime Time Inc sweatshirt to a f...

In this compelling episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the transformative power of physical fitness and discipline, particularly focusing on PTSD recovery and battling addiction through strength training. Our guests, Bobby Preston, a renowned global strength coach, and John Mullen, share their groundbreaking work in helping individuals overcome mental health issues, addictions, and the linge...

Dive into the thrilling world of undercover operations with 'Simon Undercover'. Join Simon as he recounts his extensive career diving deep into the shadows to blend in, gather intelligence, and emerge unscathed. From his early days of accidental bar fisticuffs to elaborate surveillance stings and setting up undercover operations, Simon shares vivid anecdotes that blur the lines between the law and...

In a compelling episode of Crime Time Inc, hosts Simon and Tom Wood engage in a riveting conversation with John Murray, a key figure in the pursuit of justice for the murder of Yvonne Fletcher. Narrating his 40-year dedication, Murray recounts his pledge made to Yvonne Fletcher, a colleague fatally shot outside the Libyan embassy in London in 1984, to uncover the truth and seek justice. Despite th...

In this gripping episode of Crimetime Inc., we delve into the chilling case of Yvonne Fletcher's murder, exploring its profound impact on UK policing and the intriguing political backdrop of the 1980s. Our hosts Simon and Tom Wood engage with guest Matt Johnson, shedding light on the intricate details surrounding the 1984 tragedy and its lasting legacy. Fletcher, a dedicated Metropolitan Police of...

In the finale of season 1 of the True Crime Podcast, Crime Time inc, Simon McLean and Tom Wood reflect on the thrilling journey of their podcast, Crime Time Inc. They start off with light banter, quickly diving into a heartfelt discussion on the impactful episodes they've shared, covering cases from the World's End Murders to the controversy around the Murder Mile. Tom reminisces about the emotion...

The podcast, titled 'The 1984 Miners Strike,' features a conversation between Simon and Tom, focusing on the major social and political event of the 1984 Miners' Strike in the UK. The discussion begins with a friendly exchange about their respective locations' weather, setting a tone of camaraderie. They quickly transition into deeper topics, starting with inquiries from a listener named Jane Came...

In this podcast conversation with former police officer Simon, retired Deputy Chief Constable Tom Wood discusses his experience starting out as a policeman; specifically recounting his time in "B Division." Providing insight into various aspects of everyday police duty, everything from traffic duty to dealing with criminal cases is talked about. They discuss the role of supervisors and mentors in...

This episode of 'Crime Time Inc.' engages in a retrospective conversation about the murder case of Sheila Anderson in the 1980s. The hosts, Simon and Tom, deeply explore the investigation of this unresolved case. They discuss the impact of Sheila's murder on changes in the law enforcement approach to the sex industry in Scotland, highlighting the various challenges faced. They scrutinise the conce...

This episode revisits the unsolved murder of Sheila Anderson, a sex worker, in Leith, Scotland during the 80s. The hosts, Simon and Tom Wood, reflect on the tragic consequences of her heroin addiction and the circumstances that led her into sex work. They discuss how heroin transformed the social and law enforcement landscape in Scotland. The complete disregard of drug problems by older police off...

In this riveting episode, we delve deep into the fascinating story of 'The Expendables'. We uncover the story of a convoluted German intelligence operation during World War II that ineptly attempted to infiltrate Scotland with spies. The episode discusses the key players in this operation, including the enigmatic figure, Vera Erickson. We learn that the mission was a complete disaster, marked by i...

In this fascinating episode of Crime Time Inc we hear how when Tom was promoted to Deputy Chief Constable, he found a a knife in an envelope in a cupboard which was taken from a prisoner during World War Two. This led Tom to research and uncover an amazing story which he has named The Expendables. Tom tells us about the background to the spy network employed by Germany to infiltrate Great Britain...

In this episode of Crime Time Xtra Simon McLean talks to Bobby Preston and John Mullen who have teamed up to help people suffering from PTSD. Bobby is a former world champion power lifter and John is an addiction counsellor. Together they are a formidable force and they discuss their lives, experiences and how they can help anyone overcome PTSD. Bobby's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@pre...

In this, the final episode of The World's End Murders, we hear how Angus Sinclair becomes the first person ever in Scotland to be tried twice for the same crime. Our own Tom Wood was there every day of that trial and he describes in detail how the events unfolded and how 'the most evil man in Scotland' was finally convicted, 37 years after The World's End Murders and is given the longest sentence...

In this episode we find out about operation Trinity which was headed up by our own co-host Tom Wood. Operation Trinity was established to look into the many murders that Angus Sinclair may have committed. A series of identical murders linked to Sinclair presented the Police with a problem, another man had already been convicted of one of the murders. Tom also tells us about the important role one...