News of the Times

The Southend Murderer: Scotland Yard Casebook
News of the Times Episode 305 | 1894
It is 1894 and on the outskirts of a small village, a woman is found dead in a dry brook.  She is heavily pregnant and well dressed.  She has been shot above her ear; with no gun nearby, this is murder not suicide.
Scotland Yard’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are called in and immediately track down a potential suspect, despite his attempts at a change of identity...

The Stanfield Hall Murders
News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840
In 1848 a horrific two slayings, with two attempted slayings, took place in beautiful 13th century Stanfield Hall in Norfolk,
The killer, waiting for his moments in the grounds and dressed in cape and mask, methodically went through the house attempting to annihilate the entire family...

The Killing at Coachford
News of the Times Episode 303 | 1887
It is 1887, just in the preamble of the ripper killings that will leave a long-lasting scar on the country’s consciousness.  This was a story that consumed the UK.
Dr Cross, a highly respected retired military man, and it sounds like a bit of curmudgeon with the locals, has shocked society with his revolving door of buried wife followed quickly by marriage of a girl who could easily be his grandchild...

Two Tales of Revenge
News of the Times Episode 302 | 1849 & 1934
In todays episode we look at two tales were mothers feature strongly as does revenge.
Our first story from 1849 sees young John Ward making advances to the household servant which is not reciprocated. Wishing to marry her, the mother steps in forcibly with fatal consequences...

The Regent Square Murder: Scotland Yard Casebook
News of the Times Episode 301 | 1917
C1917 London and in posh Regent Square a bundle has been found left by an early morning street sweeper. Upon investigation, the body of a woman, missing both head and hands, is found mostly nude and mangled. 
Scotland Yard are brought on.  With no head or hands, identifying the victim is difficult.  However, the sacking the body has been placed in offers a wealth of clues to Scotland Yard...

The Babington Plot against Queen Elizabeth I
News of the Times Episode 299 | 1586
It is 1587 and England is undergoing simmering tension within the country, and externally from international pressure. The Pope has ex-communicated Queen Elizabeth I and actively encourages true Catholics to remover her from the throne.  The figure head for the opposition is the imprisoned Mary Stuart, Queen of the Scots...

The Southwestern Train Murder
News of the Times Episode 298 | 1901
It is 1901 and there are three people travelling towards London in a third class railway carriage.  All of the sudden, one of the passengers gets up, shoots point blank at a fellow passenger, and then shoots the other in the face when she speaks.
There were very few stories that could make the papers during this time of Queen Victoria’s death, but this was one of them...

Aristocratic Chronicles: Two Tales of Murderous Philips
News of the Times Episode 297  | 1678 & 1688
In today’s episode we look at two murderous cases, within aristocratic circles, involving protagonists named Philip.
In our first case of 1678, Charles II - the party king - is the reigning monarch.  Philip, The 7th earl of Pembroke seems to have inherited his father's notorious quick and violent temper...

The Murder of the Duchess de Praslin
News of the Times Episode 296 | 1847
It is 1847 Paris France and astoundingly, the Duchess of Praslin has been found in a room, bolted from the inside, shockingly brutally murdered.  She has put up a tremendous fight as bloody clumps of hair are found dotted around the room. In her death throes, she managed to violently ring the bell, thus bringing the skeleton staff rushing to her aid - most probably unexpectedly by the murderer...

The Assassin Madame Weiss
News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840
In 1891 The international papers were fascinated by the story of Madame Weiss and the murderous love triangle in which she took centre stage.
Madame Weiss, married to ex-army soldier M Weiss and with two children, falls passionately in love with visiting engineer M Roque.  Their torrid romance becomes known to her husband who forgives her and shoulders some of the blame for his wife’s deception...