News of the Times - Unlocking the vaults of historical crime

News of the Times Episode 83 | 1809 Mary Bateman - The Yorkshire Witch Some serial killers come and go, but in the UK, Mary Bateman lives on with a kind of awe filled fascination/repulsion.  At the turn of the century, with a questionable health care system, Mary Bateman turned this situation to her advantage.  Hosted by Robin Coles. #NewsofTheTimes #VictorianCrimeStories #HistoricalCrimeStories #...

News of the Times Episode 82 | 1888 Whitechapel Wednesdays 11 In this episode of Whitechapel Wednesdays, attempts are made to discover the identity of one of the 2 victims from the double event, but her face is so badly cut up, identification is unsuccessful.  The Dear Boss letter naming himself as Jack the ripper is released to the press as well as a postcard also supposedly sent from the same. T...

News of the Times Episode 81 | 1881 The Brighton Railway Murderer - Percy Lefroy Mapleton: Twisted Tuesdays This horrific murder case on the London to Brighton train in 1881 gripped the nation at the time.  Initial poor handling of the situation, the brutality of the murder, and a not unexpetced successful escape from the primary suspect ensured the story was kept in the public eye.  This case has...

News of the Times Episode 80 | 1875 The Murder of Harriet Lane: Murderous Mondays A seemingly traditional respectable Victorian small business owner, his duplicitous life and a missing local girl are just the start of this case which depicts how incredibly gruesome a crime can get. Hosted by Robin Coles. #NewsofTheTimes #VictorianCrimeStories #HistoricalCrimeStories #VictorianMurders YouTube: http...

News of the Times Episode 79 | 1868-1899 Jerome Caminada - The Original Sherlock Holmes: Eccentric Sundays Who has not heard of, even vaguely, Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic Sherlock Holmes charachter with the insdispensable Dr Watson?  Where did this inspiration come from?  We submit Jerome Caminada, one of the most famous detectives you never heard of.  His story, and some of his cases, are re...

News of the Times Episode 78 | 1903 Serial Killers on the High Seas Living on a ship is not so different from travelling on a train or being in a liocked room mystery - there are few options for escape.  In this episode we look at the infamous Veronica tragedy from 1903 and the brutal murders of 7 crew members on board inlcuidng the Captain and first and second mates. The crimes criss cross the gl...

News of the Times Episode 75| 1888 Whitechapel Wednesdays 10 In this episode of Whitechapel wednesdays, the whitechapel inhabitants and the police are left reeling from the double event.  Due to the horrific nature of the wounds on one of the bodies, only Elizabeth Stride has been identified.  Large protests take place as calls are made for resignations.  We also have for the the very time, the na...

News of the Times Episode 77 | 1813 - 1885 Stories of Botched Executions Botched executions were more common than you might expect.  In todays episode, we are looking at 5 botched executions including rising from the dead, the man they couldn't kill and decapitation which is really really getting it wrong.  Hosted by Robin Coles. #NewsofTheTimes #VictorianCrimeStories #HistoricalCrimeStories...

News of the Times Episode 76 | 1779 The Murder of Martha Ray By Reverend Hackman - Murderous Mondays Every few decades, a case comes alomg that becomes the obsession of everyone around.  The James Hackman - Martha Ray story was just such a case in 1779.  The story of love growing into obsession and eventually hate.  Hosted by Robin Coles. #NewsofTheTimes #VictorianCrimeStories #HistoricalCrimeStor...

News of the Times Episode 74 | 1589 - 1663 The Legendary Moll Cutpurse  : Eccentric Sundays Legendary Moll Cutpurse who certainly lived life to the fullest did just about everything one could think of on the shady side of the law.  Her exploits are recounted here.  Such was her fame, she is still remembered some 350 years later here in the UK. She indirectly was a thorn in the side of Oliver Cromw...

News of the Times Episode 73 | 1811 John Williams - The Horrific Ratcliffe Murders: Serial Killer Saturdays This 1811 horrific series of slayings was compared to the ripper killings some 77 years later by the press - it was that brutal.  Two families are annihiliated - the motive is believed to be money.  Then, a tenuous series of clues leads them to a suspected killer.  But - the unimaginable hap...

News of the Times Episode 70 | 1888 Whitechapel Wednesdays Part 9 In this week's episode, an outline of the Gateshead slashing - had the ripper moved North?  Apparently not with the double event.  The victim of the Mitre Square horrific killing is not yet identified, but the Berner Street slashing is, with Elizabeth Stride's still warm body, oozing blood right outside a workman's cl...

News of the Times Episode 72 | 1478 - 1896 Another look at different punishments and execution methods in England and abroad.  In this episode we look at Little Ease, the wheel, beheadings (messy), guillotine, the maiden, being drowned in a vat of wine, and gatching, with accompanying stories for each. You will never look at arts and crafts in the same way again. Hosted by Robin Coles #NewsofTheTi...

News of the Times Episode 71 | 1900 The Louise Massett Murder Case The famous Louise Masset case is still remembered today.  Former beauty 37 year old spinster has an ongoing affair with a 19 year old.  The catch?  Her 3 1/2 year old boy…. Hosted by Robin Coles. #NewsofTheTimes #VictorianCrimeStories #HistoricalCrimeStories #Victorian Murders YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes Email:...

News of the Times Episode 70 | 1800-1840 Dr William Price - The Arch Druid and High Priest of the Sun: Eccentric Sundays Arriving at a posh London exhibition in a carraige driven by his goats.  Trawling the Welsh hills nude whilst reciting incantations.  Being the ArchDruid who rediscovers the language of nature.  Did we mention he created the first onesie?.  Dr William Price was a man ahead of hi...

News of the Times Episode 68 | 1848 Mary May – Death Club Killer Mastermind - Serial Killer Saturdays In 1848, the county of Essex was in a panic as death after death was uncovered and it was feared they had a working poisoning ring in their midst.  The mastermind?  Mary May. Hosted by Robin Coles. #NewsofTheTimes #VictorianCrimeStories #HistoricalCrimeStories #Victorian Murders YouTube: https://w...

News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840 A Collection of Insanity and Asylum Stories Around England Mental illness, and how it was perceived and treated, including the treatment of the criminally insane, is explored in this episode.  We also take another look at Christiana Edmunds, of Brighton poisoning fame, and her actions and behaviours within Broadmoor Asylum.  Was she actually insane?  Or did her...

News of the Times Episode 66| 1889 William Henry Bury - Suspected Jack the Ripper William Henry Bury had mnay fingers pointing at him as a possibly Ripper suspect.  He lived in the area at the same time as the murders, he was a known violent alcoholic with a known dislike for women.  He himself brought up the ripper killings and he brutally murdered his wife by strangualtion and violent stabbkings...

News of the Times Episode 65| 1888 Whitechapel Wednesdays 8 Was Jack the Ripper just too clveer, or were the police either uninterested or just not very good?  A small child finding the blood trail and the bloody paper that Jack used to wipe his hands, that was missed by the police would seem to point to one possible conclusion.  And what of the possible copycat killing in Gateshead or has the Rip...

News of the Times Episode 64| 1858 - 1886 Mary Ann Girling and the Girlingites - Eccentric Sundays An average Victorian housewife who believes herself to be the reborn version of Jesus Christ falls under the category of eccentric.  Run out of place after place, with her singng and dancing congregation members, makes for quite an interestng story. Hosted by Robin Coles. #NewsofTheTimes #VictorianCr...

News of the Times Episode 63 | 1870 John Jones -The Uxbridge Tragedy -  Serial killer Saturdays Were there to be a competition as to the worst serial killer produced in England, Jack the Ripper aside, John Jones quite possibly could edge into one of the top places based on the absolute cruelty of his mass murder. Hosted by Robin Coles. #NewsofTheTimes #VictorianCrimeStories #HistoricalCrimeStories...

News of the Times Episode 62 | 1812 - 1902 A Collection of Stories from Spooky England England is blessed with a vast array of spooky stories.  Honestly, it is hard to find a pub or guest house that does not have a resident ghost or two.  These stories come from the papers.  In general, the papers were highly sceptical of running ghost stories as it could dent their credibility.  It had to be some...

News of the Times Episode 62 | 1872 Murderous Marguerite Dixblancs -The Park Lane Murder Murderous Marguerite Dixblancs, a Belge national working for a wealthy French widow in prestigous Park Lane, London is excitable and violent when she drinks.  As the cook, she has access to the cellar.  Oh dear. Hosted by Robin Coles. #NewsofTheTimes #VictorianCrimeStories #HistoricalCrimeStories #Victorian Mu...

News of the Times Episode 60 | 1888 Whitechapel Wednesday - Part 7 "In this week's episode, a forensic detailed review is done of the murders of Mary Ann Nichols and Annie Chapman.  As a reminder to our viewers and listeners, Annie Chapman was known n the community under the name of Annie Sivvey. There is also considerable excitement over the search for LEATHER APRON who seems to have go...

News of the Times Story 163 | 1717 - 1789 John Elwes: The Inspiration for Scrooge - Eccentric Sundays Our first episode of eccentric Sundays looks at John Elwes and his uncle, who notoriously was named as the inspiration to Charles Dicken's immortal charchter, Ebeneezer Scrooge.  John's famous story, recounted to children in Victorian times, is recounted here. Hosted by Robin Coles. #New...