True Crime Catch Up with Adam Lloyd and Stuart Blues

In true crime, one thing is almost always expected in a murder story - a body. It tells investigators how someone died, when it happened, and sometimes even who was responsible. But what happens when there is no body, no crime scene, and no physical proof that a murder ever took place? In this episode of True Crime Catch Up, Stuart Blues and Adam Lloyd explore some of the most chilling no body murder cases, where victims vanished without a trace, yet their killers were still brought to justice. From the heartbreaking disappearance of Helen McCourt to multiple high-profile UK cases, this episode dives deep into how convictions are secured without the most crucial piece of evidence. We break down how UK law handles murder without a body, the psychological reasons offenders refuse to reveal victims’ remains, and the modern forensic and digital techniques that help solve these cases. From DNA evidence and behavioural analysis to phone data, CCTV, and financial tracking, the discussion reveals how investigators can prove death beyond reasonable doubt - even without a body. If you’re fascinated by unsolved disappearances, forensic science, and the darkest corners of criminal psychology, this episode will leave you questioning whether the "perfect crime" truly exists. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

hat are the biggest and most lucrative heists in UK crime history? In this episode of True Crime Catch Up, Stuart Blues and Adam Lloyd break down the Top 5 most lucrative heists ever carried out in the UK, ranked by today’s value. From the infamous Great Train Robbery of 1963 to the staggering City Bonds robbery of 1990, we explore the planning, execution, and aftermath of these high-stakes crimes. Along the way, we also discuss the Brink’s-Mat gold robbery, the Securitas depot heist, and the Knightsbridge Security Deposit robbery, uncovering how millions - and in some cases, hundreds of millions - were stolen in daring operations that shocked the nation. Inspired by a recent art theft in Italy and major international heists, this episode dives into the world of organised crime, insider involvement, and the psychology behind these audacious robberies. We also cover the mysterious theft and return of Charles Darwin’s stolen notebooks, a case where the true value goes far beyond money. If you’re fascinated by true crime, UK heists, unsolved mysteries, and real-life crime stories, this episode is packed with gripping details, shocking figures, and thought-provoking discussion. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Double jeopardy is one of the most important principles in criminal law. The idea that once a person is found not guilty, they cannot be tried again for the same offence. But in the UK, that rule changed. In this episode of True Crime Catch Up, we explore the law of double jeopardy, the Criminal Justice Act 2003, and how advances in forensic science - particularly DNA evidence - have allowed some of the most serious cases to be reopened. From the murder of Julie Hogg to the landmark Stephen Lawrence case, we break down how “new and compelling evidence” can lead to a retrial years after an acquittal. But has this reform improved justice, or weakened it? We examine the ethical debate at the heart of double jeopardy: justice vs finality, the risk of wrongful convictions, and whether the state now has too much power. With real life cases, controversial retrials, and thought-provoking questions, this episode dives into one of the most debated topics in true crime. Can a jury ever truly be impartial the second time around? And what matters more - protecting the innocent, or ensuring the guilty don’t walk free? Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wrongful convictions represent one of the most devastating failures of the justice system, where innocent people lose years, even decades, of their lives for crimes they didn’t commit. In this episode of True Crime Catch Up, we explore how and why wrongful convictions happen in the UK, from police tunnel vision and coerced confessions to failures in forensic evidence and disclosure. Using real cases including Robert Brown, Peter Sullivan, and Andrew Malkinson, we break down the human cost behind the statistics and examine how the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) works to overturn unsafe convictions. We also dive into the ongoing debate surrounding the conviction of Lucy Letby, asking difficult questions about the role of statistical evidence, expert testimony, and whether complex cases can ever be truly understood by juries. With proposals to limit jury trials in certain circumstances, could the risk of wrongful convictions increase? And how much faith should we place in a system that sometimes gets it so badly wrong? As always, we explore the crime, the law, and the wider implications for the UK, before ending on a lighter note with a brilliant story of a crime-solving dog named Rusty. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Witness protection is often portrayed as a lifeline - a way to start again after helping bring dangerous criminals to justice. But what is the reality of entering a witness protection programme in the UK? In this episode of True Crime Catch-Up, we explore the true cost of witness protection through the infamous murder of Stephen Cameron and the life-changing decision made by key witness Danielle Cable. From new identities and relocation to complete separation from family and normal life, we examine how the UK Protected Persons Service (UKPPS) operates, who qualifies, and what really happens when someone agrees to testify against serious organised crime figures. We also look beyond high-profile cases to explore the real-world consequences of doing the right thing, including a shocking case from Scotland where a man who stopped to help at a crash scene ended up losing his job and facing prosecution for drug-driving. Should witnesses always be protected, even when they’ve committed offences themselves? Does the system discourage people from coming forward? And are we asking too much of ordinary people in extraordinary situations? As always, we break down the crime, the law, and the wider implications for the UK, before ending on a lighter note with a bizarre case where a cat helped solve a burglary. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world changed overnight on February 28, 2026, when a massive coordinated strike by the United States and Israel targeted Iranian military infrastructure and killed Iran’s Supreme Leader. In this episode we unpack one of the most serious geopolitical escalations in recent years: the rapidly unfolding Iran war. What triggered it, how quickly events spiralled, and why many commentators are already asking whether this could be the start of something much bigger. As always, we bring the discussion back to crime and security closer to home. What could this conflict mean for the UK? With intelligence agencies warning about Iranian-backed plots in Britain, we explore the potential for state-sponsored terrorism, rising domestic tensions, and historical examples of foreign operations on British soil. We also examine some of the conspiracies circulating online about the timing of the war before ending, as always, with a slightly lighter story - this time involving a terrified thief, a Derbyshire farm, and a herd of very territorial llamas. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are true crime books “dead”? That was a question posed in our Facebook group, and it sparked a much bigger conversation. In this episode, we step away from a single case or story and examine the current state of true crime media as a whole: books, podcasts, documentaries, YouTube, and the changing habits of modern audiences. Drawing on Adam’s experience writing a true crime book, we explore the realities of publishing in a genre that’s more popular (and more competitive) than ever. Is the market oversaturated? Have podcasts and audiobooks replaced traditional publishing? What do audiences really want from true crime in 2026? We discuss ethics, commercial pressures, storytelling trends, and whether the genre is evolving - or simply fragmenting into new formats. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the first arrest of a senior royal in centuries. Held for nearly 12 hours and released under investigation, he has not been charged and denies any wrongdoing. The arrest relates to allegations that, while serving as UK trade envoy, he may have shared confidential government information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, former Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson has also been arrested over similar allegations. In this episode, we break down what misconduct in public office actually means under UK law, why arrest thresholds can differ between high-profile suspects, and whether privilege influences process. We examine the wider fallout from the Epstein files, public trust in institutions, accountability for powerful figures, and the broader implications for the UK justice system. As always, our primary focus remains the victims at the centre of the Epstein case, and the unanswered questions that continue to fuel public anger. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A UK barrister jailed for causing death by dangerous driving has been cleared to return to work, and the decision is dividing opinion. In July 2022, Hamish Hickey fatally injured 84-year-old Michael Lupton in a head-on crash near Ampleforth, North Yorkshire. After initially denying responsibility, he later admitted the offence and was sentenced to 23 months in prison. The Bar Standards Board has now ruled he can resume practising law once his sentence, including time spent on licence, is complete. In this video we break down the fatal crash, the court proceedings, sentencing for causing death by dangerous driving in the UK, and the controversial decision to allow a convicted barrister back into the justice system. We examine public confidence in the legal profession, rehabilitation after prison, professional misconduct standards, and whether serious criminal convictions should carry lasting career consequences. This episode explores accountability, privilege, dangerous driving laws in England and Wales, and the wider implications for the UK criminal justice system. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than 25 years after the murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall in Felixstowe, serial killer Steve Wright has returned to court to confess to the crime. Already serving a whole life order for the 2006 Ipswich murders of five women, Wright was handed an additional 40-year sentence, but his sudden admission has raised serious questions. Why did he choose to speak now, what investigative opportunities were missed in 1999, and could earlier police action have saved lives? In this episode we examine the Victoria Hall case, the attempted abductions that preceded it, and the broader implications of Wright’s confession. We discuss potential additional victims, expert insight from Professor David Wilson, speculation surrounding unsolved cases, and the importance of responsible media reporting - particularly when victims are vulnerable. As always, we focus on accountability, context, and remembering the people whose lives were taken, not just the person responsible. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lucy Letby is back in the headlines as Netflix releases 'The Investigation of Lucy Letby', reigniting debate, strong emotions, and public discussion around her case. In this episode we unpack the latest developments, including the decision not to pursue further charges, and why the documentary has sparked renewed interest. To be absolutely clear, nothing we discuss suggests Lucy Letby is innocent. She remains convicted and is serving 15x Whole Life Orders. Instead, we explore why some cases attract organised belief in innocence, how expert evidence is interpreted by the public, and whether questioning verdicts strengthens or undermines justice. We also put the conversation into context with historic and recent miscarriages of justice, including Timothy Evans and Peter Sullivan, highlighting what happens when doubt enters the system and the limits of certainty in the justice system. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of True Crime Catch Up, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of focusing on one case, we go behind the scenes of true crime podcasting. We talk openly about how we choose cases, how we research and write them, and the emotional toll that comes with telling these stories week after week. We discuss recent cases we’ve covered, including why certain stories stay with us, the dangers of turning true crime into “man kills woman every week”, and how behaviour that escalates over time is still too often dismissed or minimised. We also talk about wrongful convictions, false confessions, and the long-lasting impact these cases have on victims’ families. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford has retired after a major scandal involving misleading MPs, flawed intelligence, and the use of AI-generated material - but because he wasn’t formally sacked, he will still receive his police pension. The case has reignited serious questions around police accountability, leadership failure, and public trust in UK policing. In this episode, we break down what went wrong, place it in the wider context of policing scandals - including the resignation of Dame Cressida Dick following the Sarah Everard case - and ask whether senior officers are ever truly held to account. We also balance the conversation by highlighting genuine policing wins and acts of bravery, before ending on a lighter note with one extremely intoxicated raccoon who managed to rob a liquor store. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk is furious as the UK considers action that could see X (formerly Twitter) restricted or even banned following controversy surrounding its AI chatbot, Grok, being used to generate sexually explicit and non-consensual AI images. In this episode, we break down Ofcom’s investigation into X, and explore why UK regulators say the platform may be failing its Online Safety Act duties. We also examine Musk’s explosive response, accusations of censorship, and what this showdown means for free speech, AI regulation, and the future of social media in the UK. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 1980 murder of John Lennon in New York shocked the world, but what followed raised uncomfortable questions that continue to surface after acts of extreme violence. In this video, we examine the murder and the intense focus placed on The Catcher in the Rye, the book carried by his killer, Mark David Chapman. We explore how quickly media attention shifted from the crime itself to the idea that books, films, and popular culture can influence real-world violence, and whether that connection stands up to scrutiny. We also discuss wider examples of media being blamed after shocking crimes, from moral panics around horror films and the UK’s “video nasties”, to the lasting myths surrounding the murder of James Bulger. Alongside celebrity murders and high-profile cases, we look at how fame, cultural fear, and public outrage can shape the way violence is explained - often diverting attention away from mental health, obsession, and warning signs that go ignored. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As 2025 draws to a close, attention is already turning to the major UK true crime trials and justice system developments expected in 2026, alongside growing concern that justice in some of the country’s most serious cases is taking far too long to arrive. In this video, we look ahead to the trials and investigations likely to dominate headlines next year. We examine upcoming court cases, politically sensitive prosecutions, and long-running investigations that raise difficult questions about accountability, fairness, and whether justice delayed has effectively become justice denied. We also discuss proposed reforms to the criminal justice system and what they could mean for the future of jury trials, reflect on which unresolved cases could see developments in 2026, and examine how true crime storytelling continues to evolve across podcasts, YouTube, television, and social media. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas crime in the UK doesn’t stop just because it’s the festive season. In this Christmas Eve episode of True Crime Catch Up, we explore real UK cases involving so-called “Bad Santas”, Christmas Eve burglaries, and festive-season offences where people dressed as Santa committed crimes around the holidays. This relaxed roundup-style episode examines why crime often increases at Christmas, how offenders exploit seasonal routines and celebrations, and the impact these crimes have on victims. While lighter in tone than our usual episodes, this conversation is a reminder that festive crime is still serious, and that awareness matters - even at Christmas. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas parties are meant to be a time to unwind - a few drinks, familiar faces, and a break from the everyday routine - but the festive season also brings real and often overlooked dangers. In this video, we explore the deadly reality of one-punch killings, where a split-second act of violence can end one life and permanently destroy another. We examine how these incidents typically unfold on nights out, the role alcohol plays, and whether sentencing for one-punch manslaughter truly reflects the harm caused. We also look at other risks that spike during the festive period, including fake taxi drivers and drink spiking. From offenders impersonating licensed cabbies to gain trust, to the growing number of spiking cases that never result in charges, we break down the methods used, the legal challenges involved, and the devastating impact on victims. Alongside real cases, we discuss prevention, public awareness and personal safety - asking whether more can be done to stop these crimes before tragedy strikes. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facial recognition technology is expanding fast across the UK - from police vans and high streets to pubs, stadiums, and even private doorbell cameras - and many are asking whether we’re stepping into a world George Orwell warned us about decades ago. In this video, we break down what the UK Government’s new facial-recognition plans actually mean, why police forces are being encouraged to ramp up live and retrospective scanning, and how public opinion has shifted as the technology becomes impossible to avoid. We explore the accuracy concerns, the bias warnings, and the growing fear that innocent people could be misidentified in real time. We also look at the debate around prevention vs reaction: can facial recognition genuinely stop violent crimes before they happen, or does it only identify offenders after tragedy has already unfolded? With comparisons to 1984 and Big Brother, rising privacy concerns, and new government pledges to expand biometrics nationwide, this episode asks whether increased surveillance is making us safer - or simply more watched. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A moment of celebration on May 26, 2025, turned into a scene of chaos, and now Paul Doyle - the man behind the Liverpool FC victory parade car assault - has finally pleaded guilty. In this episode, we break down exactly what happened that day, why more than 130 people were injured as Doyle’s car ploughed into the crowds, and what his guilty plea means for the victims, the city of Liverpool, and the upcoming sentencing. We also look at Justice Secretary David Lammy’s proposal to scrap juries for anything other than the most “serious” crimes, the rise in road-rage incidents across the UK, and the growing reality that footage of terror attacks reaches social media within minutes, forcing survivors to relive traumatic events through viral clips. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices