Crime Time Inc

In the concluding episode of Crime Time Inc’s three-part examination of the disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh, former Metropolitan Police detective Mike Barley reflects on an investigation that has remained with him for forty years. Mike considers why the appointment with “Mr Kipper” was different from every other entry in Suzy’s diary, the limitations facing detectives before modern computer and for...

In Part 2, Tom Wood continues his conversation with former Metropolitan Police detective Mike Barley about the disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh. Mike explains how the investigation into the abduction and murder of Shirley Banks brought convicted killer John Cannan to the attention of the Lamplugh inquiry. A bungled robbery, a discarded vehicle tax disc and Shirley’s repainted Mini—fitted with a myst...

On 28 July 1986, 25-year-old estate agent Suzy Lamplugh left her Fulham office for an appointment with a prospective client recorded in her diary as “Mr Kipper”. She never returned. That evening, Metropolitan Police detective Mike Barley was called at home. The duty detective inspector had heard the circumstances and told him: “I don’t like the sound of it. I think you’d better come in.” In Part 1...

Nearly twenty years ago, one of Scotland’s most respected legal figures delivered a devastating verdict on the war on drugs: prohibition was not working. In this episode, former detectives Simon McLean and Tom Wood revisit the views of Lord John McCluskey and ask whether decades of criminalisation have reduced drug use — or helped create the hugely profitable black market exploited by organised cr...

Is Glasgow city centre becoming somewhere people increasingly choose to avoid? A recent BBC Disclosure programme has put the condition of Glasgow city centre firmly back in the spotlight. In this episode, former detectives Tom Wood and Simon McLean examine what is happening on the streets — and whether the problems run much deeper than policing. Tom and Simon discuss the disappearance of the highl...

Seven people lost their lives in the early hours of Saturday 22 August 2026 when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way along the A66 at South Bank, near Middlesbrough, collided head-on with a marked Cleveland Police armed response vehicle. Among those who died were Cleveland Police officers PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38 , along with the five occupants of the Passat. In this e...

Why can someone accused of a serious crime be released on bail — and why might the detectives investigating them sometimes be pleased when that happens? Former Scottish detectives Tom Wood and Simon McLean take an inside look at bail and remand: what bail actually means, how the system has changed during their careers, and the factors courts consider when deciding whether an accused person should...

What does a 13-year prison sentence really mean — and what happens when changes to early-release rules collide with one of Britain’s most emotionally charged policing cases? Former Scottish detectives Tom Wood and Simon McLean examine the case of PC Andrew Harper , the 28-year-old Thames Valley Police officer who was killed in 2019 after becoming caught in a strap attached to a vehicle fleeing the...

Lockerbie: The Mas'ud Confession, the Evidence and the Trial Ahead Former Scottish detectives Tom Wood and Simon McLean examine the case against Abu Agila Mas'ud — and what the US trial could reveal about Pan Am Flight 103. More than three decades after the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, the investigation is once again heading into a courtroom. In this episode, Tom and Simon look ahe...

How can repeated failures across the criminal justice system allow a dangerous offender to remain a threat? In this episode of Crime Time Inc. Weekly News , former detectives Tom Wood and Simon McLean examine the case of Simon Levy and the murders of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins . Tom and Simon look beyond the crimes themselves to the series of decisions and system failures surrou...

Could facial recognition become the biggest breakthrough in catching criminals since DNA matching? Live facial recognition is becoming an increasingly powerful tool for police — but as the technology expands, so does the debate over privacy, surveillance, regulation and the rights of innocent people caught on camera . In this episode of Crime Time Inc., former Scottish detectives Tom Wood and Simo...

Former detectives Tom Wood and Simon McLean examine the PC Alan Greer investigation, the death of Elizabeth Jane Ross in Athens and FIFA’s controversial proposed commercial deal. Crime Time Inc. Weekly News returns with real investigative experience applied to major stories from the UK and beyond. Tom and Simon begin with FIFA, discussing the influence of money in football, the proposed multi-bill...

In Episode 4 of our Marina Habe series, we return to the strange detail at the centre of the case: the return of Marina’s red MG Midget to the driveway of her West Hollywood home in the early hours of December 30, 1968. Marina’s mother, actress Eloise Hardt, was reportedly woken by the sound of a car with a bad muffler. From her window, she saw a man near Marina’s MG and a black sedan leaving the...

Who was Marina Habe before she became a murder victim? In this special Crime Time Inc. episode, we step away from the crime scene and explore the extraordinary family history surrounding Marina Habe. Born into a world of Hollywood glamour, political influence and wartime intrigue, Marina's life was anything but ordinary. Her father, Hans Habe, was a bestselling author, psychological warfare specia...

Ex murder squad detectives Tom and Simon discuss Alex’s detailed breakdown of the 1969 murder of 17-year-old Marina Habe and focus on unanswered investigative basics amid widespread online speculation. They debate whether Marina’s wealthy, well-connected background and the affluence of key figure John Hornburg could have influenced early police responses, drawing parallels to how status can affect...

Marina Habe: Murder, Mystery and the Manson Connection? | True Crime Podcast On December 30, 1968, seventeen-year-old Marina Habe vanished from the driveway of her West Hollywood home. Just hours earlier, she had been enjoying a night out with friends at the legendary Troubadour nightclub. By New Year's Day, her body would be discovered in the Hollywood Hills, brutally murdered and hidden beside M...

Former undercover police officer and Crime Time Inc host Simon McLean joins fellow author and former Deputy Chief Constable Tom Wood for a fascinating discussion at the official launch of his new crime thriller, Kintyre , held at Hillhead Library in Glasgow on 24 May 2026. Hosted by former Rangers and Scotland footballer Davie McKinnon, the conversation explores the real-life experiences that insp...

This week on Crime Time Inc., former senior detectives Simon and Tom examine the growing pressures facing modern policing and criminal investigations. The discussion begins with concerns over digital forensic backlogs in Scotland, where increasing demand for mobile phone analysis, cybercrime investigations, toxicology testing and digital evidence recovery is placing unprecedented strain on forensi...

The conviction of former SNP Chief Executive Peter Murrell has sent shockwaves through Scottish politics and raised serious questions about financial oversight, leadership responsibility and public trust. In this episode of Crime Time Inc. , former detectives Tom Wood and Simon McLean examine the embezzlement case that dominated headlines across Scotland. Drawing on decades of investigative experi...

In this episode of Crime Time Inc. , Simon and Tom take listeners inside the world of Scottish policing, crime writing, and real-life murder investigations. What begins as a discussion about their upcoming books quickly evolves into a fascinating exploration of cold cases, people trafficking, major investigations, and the detectives who shaped modern policing. Simon discusses his new novel Kintyre...

The Crime Time Inc. team returns with a special emergency episode to discuss one of the most talked-about criminal cases in the UK. Former Deputy Chief Constable Tom Wood and retired Detective Simon McLean examine the murder of Southampton student Henry Novak , the subsequent conviction of Vikram Digwa , and the intense public reaction that followed the release of police body-worn video footage. D...

In this wide-ranging episode of Crime Time Inc. , Simon and Tom blend humour, nostalgia, and serious criminal justice discussion as they reflect on their careers in Scottish policing. The conversation begins with memories of detective training at Ayr and Tulliallan Police College, including stories from Butlins nights, old police accommodation blocks, and legendary detective courses from decades p...

In this insightful episode of Crime Time Inc., Simon and Tom reunite to dive deep into a variety of pressing issues that not only affect Scotland but resonate globally. As they take a brief break from their usual focus on historical cases, they engage in an enlightening conversation, drawing from Tom's extensive experience as a former Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police. The discu...

In this episode, we delve into the intricate case of the Zodiac Killer, reflecting on the thorough investigation and narrative crafted by Alex, who's been pivotal in summarizing the key elements of this elusive case. Through Alex’s comprehensive overview, we pay homage to the victims and draw distinctions between verified killings attributed to the Zodiac and other alleged murders. Despite decades...

In the final episode of our Zodiac Killer series, we move beyond the best-known suspects and examine the bigger question at the heart of this case: why has the Zodiac investigation produced so many names, and yet no definitive answer? This episode covers the remaining major suspects, including Jack Tarrance, Rick Marshall, Ted Kaczynski, David Carpenter, Bruce Davis, Paul Doerr, Kjell Qvale, and G...