News of the Times - Unlocking the vaults of historical crime

The Shocking Chicken Farm Case: Murder Most Fowl News of the Times Episode 418 | 1924 It is 1924 and typist Elsie Cameron has travelled to go and see her reticent fiancé, who runs a chicken farm, with an ultimatum that they finally marry. But her chicken farmer fiancé is involved with a local girl and sems to have no wish to marry fiancé, despite her unlikely plea of pregnancy. Elsie is seen going...

A Round Robin of Murder: Chilling Christmas Stories You’ve Never Heard News of the Times Episode 417 | 1888 - 1925 In today’s episode we take a look at some of the murderous activities from Decembers past! Our first story from 1888 is not a murder in the truest sense, although when the wife turned detectives discovers her husband’s extramarital activities the police probably seem a safer bet! Our...

The Infamous Case of the Murder of “Lord” George Sanger News of the Times Episode 416 | 1911 It is 1911 and darling of society, consummate showman, and friend of the royal family, Lord George Sanger, is brutally axed in his home whilst being read to by one of his employees. The alleged culprit?  A previous employee that was let go when £50 vanished from the premises.  A complaint was also made of...

Murderous Cases of Real Life Sweeney Todds News of the Times Episode 415 | 1156 - 1895 The legend of Sweeney Todd has fascinated and horrified audiences for generations. While the infamous barber and his pie-making accomplice, Mrs. Lovett, are creations of Victorian Penny Dreadfuls, their grisly tale has parallels in chilling true crime stories throughout history. Today, we’ll delve into three spi...

The Case of the Rotherhithe Murder News of the Times Episode 414 | 1893 1893 London, some four miles from Whitechapel, and ripper fear is still alive and well. Screams have been heard in the early morning hours.  Neighbours rush out and find on the streets in a heap a known unfortunate.  Jenny Hinks, 45, real name Jane Thompson, has had her throat slit and lies in a state not too unfamiliar from p...

The Victorian Murder Case at the Byfleet Inn News of the Times Episode 413 | 1924 In today’s true crime documentary episode, we travel back to Surrey in 1924, where a shocking and violent death has unfolded. A publican and Inn owner, Mr. Jones, has died suddenly after drinking his usual morning hangover seltzer. His wife is left both stunned and alarmed, quickly calling the local doctor for help....

The Victorian Murder Case of Wormwood Scrubs News of the Times Episode 411 | 1893 In today’s episode it is 1893, London.  Victorian England still remembers the ripper as the police divisions as a whole attempt to recover from the disastrous reputation garnered from the recognised botched handling of those gruesome murders. One evening, outside one of London’s prison walls, in a wasteland called “t...

The Worst Woman on Earth - Serial Killer Lizzie Halliday News of the Times Episode 410 | 1879 - 1893 In 1893, one woman was given the unique appellation, locally and in the international papers, of “worst woman on earth”.  In some papers she was referred to as the “Jack the Ripper in female form” or “Jill the Ripper”. Sadly, Lizzie Halliday, clearly suffering from severe mental health issues, was...

Monsters of London - Discover London's Sinister Side News of the Times Episode 409 | 1790 - 1834 In today’s episode we look at three cases from London crime history where the perpetrator was labelled a “monster” by the press and public. Our first case from 1790 was infamous in its day and remembered for decades.  Women, usually attractively dressed, were being randomly attacked, often in dayl...

Murderous Butcher Bichel - The Butcher and the Ripper News of the Times Episode 408 | 1808 & 1888 1888 London, and all of England is highly disturbed by the horrendous slashings taking place in Whitechapel which are both horrific and seemingly motiveless. Investigative reporters, scientists and historians come out to see if a precedent can be found that may help explain the mind of the killer...

The Blazing Car Murder News of the Times Episode 407 | 1930 In today’s episode it is 1930 and one case is leading in all the national papers for weeks. A car is found in full blaze.  People are horrified to discover that a human body is found within the blaze.  The horror deepens as it is found that the person within the car was alive whilst being incinerated. Thankfully, the car license plate is...

News of the Times Episode 406 | 1896 & 1903 In today’s episode, we explore the case of Henry Starr, convicted of one brutal murder, but suspected of two. In 1896, Henry Starr has been paying his attention to young attractive Eleanor Coulthard.  The parents become increasingly concerned over this entanglement and send her away, but Henry follows.  On an evening out, witnessed by several, Eleano...

The Case of Sweet Fanny Adams - Famous Victorian Murder News of the Times Episode 405 | 1867 In today’s episode, it is 1867 Alton, near Guildford.  A crime so shocking and so brutal has taken place that it is still well remembered over 100 years later. Three small children are playing together in a field when they are approached by a man who smells of alcohol.  He offers to help them to pick berri...

The Horrifying Hyde Park Murder News of the Times Episode 404 | 1915 In today’s episode, we are in the heart of London in 1915.  Local resident, Alice Elizabeth Jarman, described as weak minded and suffering a walking impediment, is found brutally murdered and cruelly left in a ditch in Hyde Park.  A terrible case, but sadly not a case that is distinguishably remarkable.  Until news is released th...

The Marston Moor Murders - A Ghostly Tale News of the Times Episode 403 | 1903 In today’s episode, it is 1903, near Yorkshire at famed bloodbath location of the Marston Moors. This renowned haunted location is being watched by two gamekeepers as there has been a recent surge in poaching. A torrential thunderstorm, a figure in the distance, a creepy face, some spooky mist all ends in two bodies at...

The Campden Wonder - 17th Century Murder Mystery News of the Times Episode 401 | 1660 - 1662 We launch our start of “Notorious” November with this very famous case from 1660 under the restoration reign of Charles II.  The case, named the Campden Wonder – something of a mystery – remained relevant for centuries – still being referenced in late Victorian records. A highly respected steward is off to...

The Demon Drummer of Cortachy Castle News of the Times Episode 401 | 1844 In today’s episode it is 1844 and we are in Scotland at the family seat of the Ogilvie’s. The story recounts the visit of Miss Dalrymple who, with other guests, has come to stay for a few days in the famed family halls. Having settled in her room from her long carriage ride, and already dressed for dinner, she awaits the sig...

The Holborn Horror & Ramsgate Reckoning - Serial Murders News of the Times Episode 400 | 1865 This case from 1865 was horrific and beyond disturbing. A coffee shop with rooms above agrees to lodge overnight three young boys, aged 10, 8 and 6.  The man who brings them in is polite and asks that the boys stay on their own.  The café agrees.  The man takes them out for a walk during the day, feed...

The Trouble with Harriet - Two Murderous Tales News of the Times Episode 398 | 1836 & 1843  In today’s episode we look at two cases involving women named Harriet. Our first case from 1836 involves 21-year-old unhappily married Harriet Tarver.  Harriet’s husband, Thomas, has abandoned her at least once and has only come back with some forceful parish pressure.  A bit of a do-it-yourself health...

Disturbing Cases of Severed Heads News of the Times Episode 53 | 1880 - 1885 In today’s episode we dip further into disturbing tales with three stories where scientists of the time, inspired by Marry Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein, look to re-animate heads of criminals who faced the guillotine. In Victorian society, there was no punishment worse than having one’s body interfered with in unnatur...

The Creepy Case of the Shaftesbury Avenue Murder News of the Times Episode 396 | 1894 In today’s episode, it is 1894 London.  Mr Rasch has come home from his walk only to discover his  house burgled of all its valuables whilst the children were playing downstairs. Seeking his wife, he finds her in the bedroom, her ankles tied together with considerable bruising around the face.  She is dead, altho...

Lydia Green - The Gruesome Murder That Shocked Victorian London News of the Times Episode 395 | 1877 In today’s episode it is 1887, some two miles north of Whitechapel. A horrific crime has taken place against Lydia Green within her own home in the morning hours whilst the rest of her family are downstairs starting breakfast. A suspect is quickly identified and then claims of sweeping police incom...

Deadly Devereaux - The Trunk Murderer: Scotland Yard Casebook News of the Times Episode 394 | 1905 In today’s episode it is 1905 Oldham where chemist, Arthur Devereaux is finding it difficult to support his ever-growing family with the new twin boys in addition to his 6 year old boy. Devereaux has only just been given notice that his current employment will end in one month’s time – he needs to fi...

Disturbing Cases of Matricide - Darkest Family Secrets of the 1800s News of the Times Episode 3393 | 1878 & 1893 Matricide is rare and already rather creepy and disturbing in itself, but these two cases are more unusual than most. Our first case from 1878 involves a young lad of 17 and his alcoholic mother.  She requests a glass of water from him and becomes violently ill shortly afterwards, e...

Brutal Murder Tales from the Georgian Era News of the Times Episode 391 | 1692 - 1754 In today’s episode we look at a series of disturbing stories from Georgian times. Our first case from 1742 involves a spoiled older son, worried that he will be disinherited by his younger brother and wanting his full inheritance now, he embarks on a killing spree of his family annihilating 11 persons. Our second...