Just before 5pm on 27 November 2000, ten-year old Damilola Taylor was walking home from Peckham Library in Southeast London when he was attacked with a glass bottle. He was found in a stairwell at the North Peckham Estate and taken to Kings College Hospital where he was pronounced dead. In this episode, we are at the Old Bailey, speaking to a former juror from the first Damilola Taylor trial, where four young defendants were acquitted of his murder. IMPORTANT NOTE: Jurors in the UK are never allowed to talk about what happens inside the jury room during deliberations — that's protected by law under the Contempt of Court Act. What you'll hear in this episode are one juror's memories of being in court for a trial at the Old Bailey: the atmosphere, the evidence as it was presented, and the emotions around such a high-profile case. These are his personal reflections only, and don't represent the views of any other jurors in the trial. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Or Instagram Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: Analytical by Alex Norton Night Falls by Lost Harmonies Tango Light by Adieu Adieu Fallen Dynasty by Evan McDonald
For most of us, serving on a jury is the closest we will ever come to being Caught Up in Crime. For centuries, those accused of the most serious crimes have had the right to be heard by twelve ordinary citizens - their fates resting in the hands of their peers. But the system is creaking. Underfunded and undervalued, there are murmurings of discontent in the corridors of power. Might juries be on the way out? In this episode, 3 former jurors share their experiences: The pressure, the emotion and - more than anything - the sense of responsibility. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Or Instagram Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: Reflections of the Everlasting by Young Presidents Rising Tide by Eskimotion Introspective Wondering by Swan Productions Ocean Poker 22 by Vinny Falcone Uneasy by Mocha Music Stepping Forward by Nicklaus Vogel
Nathan is both your typical, traditional private investigator, and its modern 21st Century equivalent rolled into one. On the one hand he fits the mould perfectly: A former police detective with a gruff, no-nonsense approach to cheating spouses and petty crooks - but he's also embracing the new world too. Despite reservations from some within his industry, he's built an impressive social media following and his TikTok videos are helping him reach a new generation of customers. You can listen to Nathan's podcast: 'Diary of a Private Investigator' wherever you get your podcasts. Or visit https://dolosinvestigations.co.uk/ to find out more about Nathan's services. Nathan is a full member of The Association of British Investigators (ABI) www.theABI.org.uk "Upholding Professional Values" If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com or contact me at tom@shinebrighterconsulting.co.uk Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Or Instagram Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: No Stranger to Darkness by Emmett Cooke Fluteboy Slim by Johanze Flash in the Pan by Zillions Flickering Daylight by Taizo Audio
In 2018, Joanna Laiscell was fired from her position in the finance department at the Hartford Schools District after 24 years of service. The official reason for her dismisaal was insurance fraud, but the truth ran far deeper, exposing a murky world of racism and collusion. Joanna didn't know it at the time, but one of her colleagues was making it his mission to ruin her reputation. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com or contact me at tom@shinebrighterconsulting.co.uk Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Or Instagram Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Other tracks featured in this episode: Beyond Silence by Remember the Future Breezy Life by Sirus Music Pressing Matters by Mark Fabian Mountains by Jack Catfish Life is Golden by Young Presidents
Have you ever thought about the historical crimes in YOUR town? Eleanor Phillips has lived in my home town of Chesham all her life, and in her retirement she has become one of its foremost historians and story-tellers. In this episode, she talks about four crimes spanning more than a century from the swahbuckling tale of highwaymen thwarted by a hero stagecoach driver, to the sinister 'Raincoat Man' who stalked his terrified victims in Chesham and Amersham in 1957. To find out more about the stories we covered in this episode, read Eleanor's articles on the Chesham Museum website. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com or contact me at tom@shinebrighterconsulting.co.uk Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Or Instagram Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: Another Piece of the Puzzle by Emmett Cooke The Latest Scandal by Shaun Frearson Elephant Crossing by Little Red Church Sorry Sea Dog by Porter Productions Dark Expanse by Sarah Chapman Ain't in Like a River by the Commandeers
For Mary O'Kane and her friends, murder never seems to be far away... Throughout their lives, their get-togethers have been dominated by talk of the latest serial killings or celebrity homicides. Pretty soon, they realised they all had close connections to some of the most notorious crimes in US history. Sometimes, the cases were huge - OJ, Versace, John Wayne Gacy - but others struck much closer to home. Whether these brushes with death are driven by fate or coincidence, Mary doesn't know. But she came up with a name for the phenomenon all the same: She called it The Murder Wheel. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com or contact me at tom@shinebrighterconsulting.co.uk Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: The Clermont - Flash Fluharty Whispers in the Attic - Cosmo Lawson Groovy - INPLUSMUSIC Snappy - Jonathan Boyle Silver Light - Swan Productions
There's a house in Northampton that looks much like any other. But this house is unique. It is at the centre of a project to eliminate homelessness for prison leavers. A place that offers hope to men who have none. In the final episode of the series, follow the stories of two prison leavers and their extraordinary journeys towards rehabilitation. Visit www.ownmerit.org If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com or contact me at tom@shinebrighterconsulting.co.uk Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: Wave of Doubts by High Street Music What Might Have Been by Taizo Audio Hangover Blues by Marc Walloch Word of Honor by Emmanuel Jacob Frame of Time by DarkBlue Studio The Vengeance by Mountaineer Journey Upstream by L-Ray Music Lost Out at Sea by Big Score Audio Hometown by L-Ray Music Violence Blooms by Flash Fluharty News archive from Channel 5, Channel 4, BBC, SKY, SKY Australia.
Dr Aaron Lewis is a former pastor, prolific author, and human rights advocate. For decades, he has battled against public institutions and government officials in his home state of Connecticut, defending the voiceless against a system he believes is fundamentally corrupt. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com. Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Outro: Peace and Justice by The Commandeers Other tracks featured in this episode: Around the Edges by Mark Walloch The Gospel Trail by Quality Quest Rising Up Again by Flash Fluharty Break News by O2 Studio
For generations, Lynda McKean's family have passed down the legend of their mysterious ancestor 'Lathley'. Supposedly, he forfeited the family name and wealth after killing a man in a duel before fleeing to join Admiral Nelson's ship The Victory. Years later, he returned to London and married a shoemaker's daughter. Now, Lynda's trying to track him down. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com. Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: Spending Spree by Jack Pierce Your Move by Janathan Boyle Lady Catherine's Dilemma by Little Red Church Time to Change Your Life by Mocha Music Bach Siciliana for Violin and Organ by Blue Shift Prelude to a Storm by Sapphire Studios Scandal at Court (Greensleeves for Strings) by Sarah Chapman The Latest Scandal by Shaun Frearson A Long Night by Shaun Frearson Debussy - The Girl with the Flaxen Hair by Blue Shift
In 1991, Miro Bouchakian invented a throw-and-catch toy called the Woblong. He dreamed of knocking the Frisbee off its perch, but soon found himself in hot water. Join us for a heady mix of dodgy dealings, murderous stockbrokers, and 90s nostalgia! If you want to join the Woblong generation, visit www.Woblong.com - you won't regret it! If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com. Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: Distant Tension by Alex Norton Magical Mischief by Jack Pierce Plucky Pizzicato by Jack Pierce Magician's March by Sunshine Music Wave of Doubts by High Street Music Ghost of a Godfather by Espresso Music What Might Have Been by Taizo Audio Your Time to Live by GG Riggs Mean Business by Jonathan Boyle
Meet Andy. He was a normal guy with a loving family and a steady job, but he was hiding a dark secret. Before long, his life was spiralling out of control and he found himself in the dock at Southwark Crown Court looking at a five-year stretch at Her Majesty's Pleasure. This is a story about how a single wrong turn can change a life forever. To find out more about Own Merit, visit www.OwnMerit.org. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com. Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: Elusive Dream by Tom Olivier Sabotage by Serj Anto Slow Momentum by Mark Fabian Progression Now by Eskimotion I Keep Going by Krisztian Vass Fist Pumping by INPLUSMUSIC Word of Honor by Emmanuel Jacob
On midsummer's night in 1966, two men come face-to-face at a picturesque cottage in a tiny Essex village. Only one of them comes out alive. This is an extraordinary story of stolen crystals and pirate radio; of bitter rivalry and dark family secrets. Order Susan Moore's book Life and Death of a Pirate - a dramatised account of the events of this episode. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com Connect with Tom on LinkedIn Or Facebook Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: Hostiles by Cosmo Lawson Dvorjak's Humouresque by Blue Shift Pressing Matters by Mark Fabian Philosophy by Eskimotion Some Distant Lights by Big Score Audio Shadow Chase by Pavel Yudin A 1950s Romance by Jonathan Boyle
Emily Patterson was the last victim of one of North America's first known serial killers. But she was also a loving mother to two small boys, a pillar of her local community in Canada, and the long lost ancestor of crime writer Denise Beddows. It was Emily's bravery as she tried to fight off the evil killer Earle Nelson - known as the 'Gorilla Killer' due to his abnormally large hands - that led to his capture and execution in 1928. While most books about serial killers are sensationalist accounts about monsters and their brutal crimes, Denise tells the story of each of Nelson's victims. They are the women history left behind. They are The Forgotten 44. You can order Denise's book - The Forgotten 44 - from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forgotten-Forty-Four-Victims-Survivors-Americas/dp/B0CGGC4QT8 If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com. Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Or Instagram Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: Questionable Behavior by Sunshine Music Moving Heart by Firefly Music Crime of the Century by Flash Fluharty The Disappearance by Emmett Cooke Lamentations by Mark Fabian Castigan's Folly by Nathan King
In 1998, author and historian Susan Ronald was in a bank vault in Zurich, Switzerland checking the assets of an elusive billionnaire for a huge investment project. There she stumbled upon evidence of a huge stash of art looted by the Nazis. Nobody took her story seriously until, more than 15 years later, the German authorities discovered thousands of priceless works of art - many stolen from Jews - secretly hoarded away by a man named Hildebrand Gurlitt - Hitler's personal art curator. Susan Ronald's book Hitler's Art Thief is available to buy from her website or any online book store. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com. Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Or Instagram Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: Pizzicato Mystery by Studio Le Bus Axed by Mojo Handful Warpath by Swan Productions Mystery at Midnight by Lee Miller Searching for Hope by Taizo Audio The Bells of Bavaria by The Commandeers
In this special bonus episode, Tom chats to Stuart Blues, host of the phenomenally successful podcast - British Murders. With more than 500 episodes and 9 million downloads in the last five years it has captured the imagination of true crime fans everywhere. Stuart talks about how he selects the cases he covers in the show - and the effect that talking murder all day has had on his mental health. Listen to British Murders With Stuart Blues wherever you get your podcasts, or visit https://www.britishmurders.com/ If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com. Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Or Instagram Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle
SERIES 2 is coming! **Launch date - Tuesday 5th August** Caught Up in Crime tells the stories of ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations. From historical tales of family intrigue to contemporary accounts from victims, witnesses and perpetrators - the series takes listeners right to the heart of the crime. Join me, Tom Clarke, for weekly episodes every Tuesday. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com or contact me at tom@shinebrighterconsulting.co.uk Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle
In this special bonus episode, Tom talks to legendary US civil rights attorney, Michael Sussman. The US judiciary is under pressure like never before. Messrs Trump, Vance and Musk have the knives out for progressive lawyers and judges - and the integrity and independence of the courts are being challenged daily. In a 45 year career, Michael's tackled bureaucracy and injustice in his home state of New York - fighting for the rights of the most marginalised in society. At one point the threat to his life was so severe he had to have round the clock protection from the FBI. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com. Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle
In this special bonus episode, journalist Lauren Potts chats to Tom about death knocks, stolen Bakewell tarts, and her deep-dive investigation into two missing schoolboys that was read by more than a million people on the BBC website. Lauren worked as a Court and Crime reporter in Yorkshire before turning her hand to investigative reporting and feature writing for the BBC. Her freelance work has seen her published in the likes of National Geographic, Stylist, Refinery29, the i, and Time Out. Visit Lauren's brand spanking new website: https://www.laurenpotts.co.uk/ Or connect with her on LinkedIn If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to caughtupincrime@gmail.com. Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Artwork by Spencer Wilson Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle
Caught Up in Crime tells the stories of ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations. From historical tales of family intrigue to contemporary accounts from victims, witnesses and perpetrators - the series takes listeners right to the heart of the crime. Join host Tom Clarke for weekly episodes from 14th January 2025.