Martine Vik Magnussen was a 23-year-old Norwegian student living in London, with a bright future ahead of her. After a night out with friends, Martine disappeared. What followed would become one of London’s most high-profile murder investigations, involving a suspect who fled the country and a family who have spent years searching for answers.

The murder of Sadie Hartley is a shocking story of jealousy, obsession and a carefully planned killing. Sadie was a successful businesswoman from Lancashire who was attacked and murdered on her own doorstep. What followed was a complex investigation which uncovered a plot that had been developing for months. This episode looks at Sadie’s life, the events that led to her murder, the investigation that followed and how police eventually uncovered the truth behind what had happened.

Lawrence Haggart had everything to look forward to. A gifted teenage footballer who had already signed for Celtic and represented Scotland at youth level, Lawrence appeared destined for a bright future in the game he loved. But after an ordinary evening out with friends, his life was brought to a devastating end in a brutal attack that left his family and community searching for answers.

For years, Ian Paterson was regarded as one of Britain’s leading breast surgeons. Patients placed their trust in him at some of the most frightening moments of their lives, believing they were receiving the best possible care. Instead, many underwent unnecessary or inappropriate operations that left them with lasting physical and psychological consequences. As concerns mounted, one of the biggest medical scandals in modern UK history began to unfold, raising serious questions not only about one surgeon’s actions but also about how he was able to continue practising for so long.

In the Somerset village of Martock, 16-year-old Gemma Clarke disappeared after finishing a shift at her local pub. Home was only a short walk away, but she never arrived. In this episode, I examine the investigation into Gemma’s murder, how detectives identified the man responsible, and the lasting impact her death had on her family and the people who knew her.

Maria Toomey was just weeks away from giving birth when she vanished. When police finally found Maria, they uncovered a quite dreadful scene that shocked even experienced detectives. This is a heartbreaking story from Hull of a life, and a future, stolen by an act of unimaginable violence.

In today’s episode I look at the extraordinary story of a doctor who wasn’t at all what she seemed. For more than two decades, she practised medicine in the UK despite not being properly qualified, exposing serious failures in the systems designed to protect patients. It’s a story of deception, misplaced trust and missed opportunities – and one that raises uncomfortable questions about how such an astonishing fraud was allowed to continue for so long.

“Is it fair that a young lady who dresses to attract, the queen bee attracting the drones, the queen bee that dresses to kill… cries out foul because somebody finds her attractive?” Shockingly, those were the words of the defence barrister during the trial. Understandably, this sparked widespread outrage at the time and remains one of the most extraordinary examples of victim blaming in a British courtroom.

Elizabeth Simms-Rees was a kind and trusting young woman whose life was brutally cut short at just 21 by someone she considered a friend. The man responsible, Richard Cullen, had a long history of violence and a disturbing obsession with the occult and devil worship. In this episode, I examine the events leading up to one of Swansea’s most shocking murders, the investigation that followed, and the lasting impact of Elizabeth’s murder.

When Molly McLaren ended a short relationship, she believed it was the start of a new chapter. Instead, she found herself subjected to relentless stalking and harassment by a former partner who refused to accept the breakup. As the obsession intensified, Molly repeatedly tried to protect herself and move forward with her life. Tragically, her fears became reality when the stalking culminated in a shocking act of violence.

I examine the tragic murder of Jessie Hurlstone, a young woman living in Devon whose life was taken following a campaign of obsessive stalking that escalated into deadly violence.

In this episode of the UK True Crime Podcast, I look at the disturbing case of Matthew Falder, a seemingly ordinary university administrator who led a disturbing double life online. Using fake identities, manipulation and blackmail, Falder targeted vulnerable victims across the world, coercing them into degrading and harmful acts. I explore how his crimes were uncovered, the international investigation that brought him down, and the devastating impact his actions had on those he targeted. It’s one of the most disturbing online abuse cases ever prosecuted in the UK.

Having conducted more than 23,000 post-mortem examinations, Dr Shepherd has worked on some of the most significant criminal investigations and disasters of modern times. In this interview, he shares remarkable insights into forensic pathology, discusses the realities of investigating suspicious deaths, and reflects on the cases that have stayed with him throughout his extraordinary career.

From South Wales, I look at the tragic case of 20 year old Matthew Boyd, a young soldier whose night out in Brecon ended in devastating violence. I follow the events of that evening, the investigation that followed, and the court case that revealed what really happened. It’s a shocking and tragic story which once again shows how a few moments of violence can change many lives forever.

Behind the polished world of high finance was a trader accused of helping manipulate one of the world’s most important interest rates. This episode explores the rise and fall of Tom Hayes, the former City trader at the centre of the LIBOR scandal, examining the culture of banking, the pursuit of profit, and the global investigation that followed. Was Hayes a rogue operator, or a scapegoat for a broken financial system?

Between January 2022 and December 2024, 65,053 arson offences were recorded across the UK police forces that provided data – yet only 4.83% of these cases resulted in charges. Arson is a terrifying and often deadly crime with incredibly low conviction rates. In this episode of the UK True Crime Podcast, I look at the case of Stefan Geary and a series of arson offences that affected communities across the North East. I examine the police investigation, the evidence presented in court, and the impact the fires had on local residents and emergency services. The episode also explores Geary’s background and the circumstances that led to his conviction.

For many people living on the fringes of society, long-term plans often give way to simply surviving day by day. It can be a world shaped by addiction, instability and violence – as seen in today’s case from Bournemouth on England’s south coast. After human body parts were discovered in different areas of the town, a major police investigation led detectives to a cramped one-bedroom flat shared by three vulnerable people living chaotic lives dominated by drugs, alcohol and financial hardship. As tensions inside the flat spiralled out of control, the situation turned deadly, ending in a shocking and brutal murder.

Kevin Weaver was in his early twenties but he wasn’t enjoying life at all. He had been suffering from depression for a long time, drinking heavily and he missed his finance – despite being split for two years he couldn’t accept it was really over. Then one morning, he woke up and decided that this was the day he was going to kill…

What began as a celebration ended in devastating violence. Pat Howard and Adam Fanelli were killed after a baby shower in Houghton Regis spilled out onto the street, where a confrontation escalated rapidly into a brutal and sustained attack. In front of multiple witnesses, the violence intensified – culminating in the use of both a vehicle and a knife. Along with Adam Fanelli, who was trying to defuse the situation, Pat suffered fatal injuries in a case which shocked the community. Investigators reconstructed the events through CCTV, witness accounts, and forensic evidence, revealing a deliberate and relentless assault. In this podcast I look at events leading up to the two murders, the police investigation and how those responsible were brought to justice.

50-year-old Robert Powell was brutally murdered outside a party in Essex in what investigators believed was a planned, targeted hit – carried out in front of his two sons. A truly shocking and deeply distressing crime. Thanks to determined and meticulous police work, the main suspect, Nana Oppong (pictured), was tracked down after fleeing the UK immediately after the killing. He travelled to Spain, before attempting to cross into Morocco hidden in the back of a lorry, using a fake Maltese passport. He was intercepted at Tangier Port and returned to the UK to face justice.

In the late 1970’s, LSD was big in Cambridge University’s radical academic fringe, inspired by LSD pioneer Timothy Leary. He had a strong belief that the drug broadened the mind and could transform society and make it better for all of us. Henry Todd got very much into this scene and then started his own LSD lab, producing huge quantities of the stuff. In the episode of the UK True Crime Podcast, I look at the undercover police operation ‘Operation Julie’ soon had Henry Todd and others making and selling LSD under surveillance, and how Todd later made the unusual move into high altitude mountaineering.

For my 500th episode, this is a special extended episode where I speak to Michael Ross about the tragic murder of his wife Jacquie, on just a normal Sunday morning when she was walking their dog Rosie as usual. We talk about Michael’s life with Jacquie, the murder, how Michael and his family coped with these events, the murder trial and how since the tragedy, Michael has used his experiences to bring hope to others who are facing terrible events in their life.

It was a happy occasion, Stanley Tawse’s birthday. The family headed to the pub in Aberdeen for the afternoon, and Stanley left at about 6pm to head home and to phone his daughter in South Africa. But Stanley didn’t call his daughter. And he didn’t make it home that night. Just what had happened to Stanley?

When 17 year old Simon Everitt suddenly disappeared from near Great Yarmouth, concern quickly grew among those who knew him. But what began as a missing person case soon unravelled into something far darker. As the investigation continued, the disturbing truth emerged that Simon had been murdered by people within his own circle, and his body hidden in a remote rural location in Norfolk in an attempt to cover up the crime.

Jean Windridge lived near Birmingham and was always immaculate in her appearance, with a real fondness for flashy costume jewellery which led to her gaining the nicknames among friends of ‘Diamond Lil’ and ‘Goldfinger’. She didn’t wear expensive pieces, but loved the jewellery that she wore. At 78, Jean had a busy social life and lots of friends, being known locally for her kindness and sense of community. So when she was found murdered in her own home after an afternoon party at the local church, nobody could understand why anyone would want to hurt Jean.

In this episode of the UK True Crime Podcast I cover the tragic murder of Karen Buckley (pictured). It was a normal Saturday night in Glasgow as mainly students headed to The Sanctuary nightclub. But while most were there to have some fun and enjoy time with their friends, there was one man there who was looking for something very different. Someone to attack.

In this episode of the UK True Crime Podcast I delve into the criminal history of Paul Bint, a serial conman known as the “King Con.” Bint repeatedly posed as high-status figures, such as barristers and senior officials, to manipulate victims, often targeting women and gaining their trust before exploiting them financially. With hundreds of offences and multiple prison sentences, his story reveals how confidence fraud relies on charm, deception, and psychological manipulation rather than complex schemes. It is quite a story.

For six terrifying years, a gang of robbers carried out over twenty raids on banks and Post Offices across Merseyside, stealing around £1.5 million. Armed, masked and highly organised, they spread fear among staff and communities whilst evading capture time and time again. In this episode of the UK True Crime Podcast, I look at how the gang operated, the impact on their victims, and how through great police work, the gang were brought to justice.

I look at two tragic cases where a normal night out at the pub, ended in devastating violence over minor issues. The killings of Jake Kemp and Liam Dent, both of whom lost their lives to total strangers, show how quickly situations can spiral out of control. I look at the events leading up to each killing, what happened on the night of the attacks, and the consequences faced by those responsible.

Bridlington, on the north-east coast of England. Local fairground worked Peter Foster first watched the film ‘A Clockwork Organge’ when he was just 15 and it had a profound effect on him all of his life. He often dressed like the main character, but he was also obsessed with the violence in the film – as we will hear today…