Missed Warnings / The Crimes Of Joseph McCann - Part 3

Joseph McCann carried out two sprees of horrific sexual and violent crimes in Hertfordshire, London, Cheshire, and Greater Manchester. It was a matter of urgency to get him off the streets for the public's safety. No one in England was safe until he was behind bars. McCann had victimised both male and female, child and pensioners; there was no telling where or who he would target next. Eventually, he was apprehended and a date was set for his trial… (Part 3 of 3).

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Missed Warnings / The Crimes Of Joseph McCann - Part 2

A large-scale manhunt was launched after a man abducted and sexually assaulted three women over the course of four days. Joseph McCann was publicly identified as the only suspect in the case. He had stayed under the radar for over a week. When he emerged, it was for the worst possible reason. McCann was going to carry out a 12-hour crime spree… (Part 2 of 3).

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Missed Warnings / The Crimes Of Joseph McCann - Part 1

The purpose of the criminal justice system is to uphold the law and protect the innocent. Public bodies, including the Crown Prosecution Service, the police, and the prison and probation system, should work together to ensure justice for all while being fair to those accused and convicted. There are occasions when things go wrong and result in devastating consequences… (Part 1 of 3).

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No Justice / The Death of Jo Ramsden

Richard glanced at the clock. His daughter Jo was never late, but it was after 4 pm, and there was no sign of her. It was quiet in the gift shop on South Street, so Richard saw no harm in stepping outside to see if Jo was nearby. He half expected to see her ambling home from work experience, probably with a smile on her face. When Jo wasn’t there, Richard grew concerned. Jo’s world consisted of just four places within the market town of Bridport, and she wasn’t at any of them…

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Buried Alive / The Attempted Murder Of Michelina Lewandowska

Dan Brockley was driving along Woodside Road, close to Woodsome Hall Golf Club in Huddersfield, when a woman stumbled out of the tree line and into the road. It was dark and quiet when the female suddenly appeared, shortly before midnight on Saturday, May 28, 2011. Dan instinctively slammed his foot against the brakes, bringing the car to a screeching halt. The woman scrambled to the passenger side door and pleaded with him to let her in. She was visibly distressed and dishevelled. When Dan took a chance and opened the door, the woman said her name was Michelina, and someone had just tried to kill her… 

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The Grindr Cons

Finding prospective matches through dating websites and apps is a valid and popular way to meet people. While most online interactions do not result in a date, some lead to a meeting in person. However, the exchange may or may not result in what both parties set out to find. There is a small minority of users who utilise dating apps for both sexual and financial extortion...

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Anglesey Satanic Panic Kidnapping

As soon as the car stopped, something did not seem right. Before their seatbelts were even off, another vehicle, a silver Citroen Picasso, parked up in a hurry alongside the foster carer’s car. There was a female in the driver's seat of the Citroen, and a man emerged hurriedly from the back seat. In a matter of seconds, the stranger was outside the car, something silver and shiny in his hand, a knife…

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Killing For The Sake Of Killing / Colin Ash-Smith

From the start, it was clear to detectives that this was a murder inquiry. Officers were immediately dispatched to search the area for a possible suspect, maybe someone in bloody clothes or acting suspiciously. Onlookers had seen a man fleeing the scene. They noted he was wearing a light beige waist-length jacket. But despite a quick response from the Kent constabulary, asking all potential witnesses near the scene if they had seen anything, officers drew a blank…

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Unintended Target / The Kidnapping of George Fraghistas

Maida Vale, West London, 6:20 pm, Sunday, March 24, 1996 — George Fraghistas locked his blue Lincoln Continental in a secure car park on Lanark Road. He walked to the exit. He had plans that evening and wanted to prepare. George was just about to open the door of the dimly lit concrete building, when a man suspiciously dressed for a spring day, in an anorak, gloves and a balaclava, took him by surprise and tried to wrestle him to the ground. George shouted, made a scene, put up a fight, but the assailant overpowered him. The element of surprise gave his attacker an advantage. For a brief moment they were alone, then a car stopped nearby. Three men hurriedly got out...

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