British Murders with Stuart Blues

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 episode of True Crime Catch Up, Adam and I 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.True Crime Catch Up is a new weekly podcast in which we discuss the true crime stories that deserve your attention. Watch or listen every Wednesday as we unpick the stories that are gripping the nation, expose the details of untold misdemeanours and revisit the infamous crimes that made the headlines in years gone by.It's your one stop shop to get caught up on everything you need to know about the true crime stories that need your attention.Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠social media⁠ so you don't miss an episode!Disclaimer:The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Christmas Eve 2003, a quiet residential street in Willenhall looked exactly how it should. Lights in the windows, presents under the tree, and two young sisters excitedly counting down the hours until Father Christmas arrived.By the end of the night, three lives were lost, and a close-knit community was left trying to understand how something so devastating could happen inside what appeared to be a happy family home.As police began piecing together the final hours of Lisa Higgins and her daughters, Keighley and Demmy, a very different picture started to emerge. One that revealed hidden fear, carefully made plans, and a truth that only came to light once it was far too late. This is a story about what we see, what we miss, and how danger can exist behind closed doors, even during the most celebrated time of the year.Just to clarify: throughout this episode I pronounce Keighley as “Keith-ley”, based on how the town in West Yorkshire is said. I grew up nearby, so I defaulted to that pronunciation without a second thought. I’ve since been made aware that Keighley’s name may be pronounced differently, and if that’s the case, I’m genuinely sorry. Thank you for your understanding.If you’re experiencing domestic abuse and feel frightened of, or controlled by, a partner, an ex-partner or family member, it’s important to remember that it’s not your fault, and there is no shame in seeking help. Free, confidential support and advice is available to victims and their concerned family members or friends, 24 hours a day:England | Refuge | 0808 2000 247Scotland | SDAFMH | 0800 027 1234Wales | Live Fear Free | 0808 80 10 100Northern Ireland | DSA | 0808 802 1414UK-wide | Men’s Advice Line | 0808 801 0327Exclusive content:Patreon - Ad Free, Early Access, Exclusive EpisodesFollow the show:YouTubeInstagramFacebookTikTokWebsiteDisclaimer:The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In December 1990, a young woman walked the final few yards towards her home in Cardiff, but never made it through the front door. What happened in those final moments remains one of the most unsettling mysteries South Wales Police had ever faced, sparking an investigation that would stretch across an entire decade.When 26-year-old Geraldine Palk failed to return home after her work’s Christmas party, her friends were confused, her family was worried, and within hours whispers began spreading through Fairwater.As detectives traced her last known movements through busy nightspots, taxi queues, and the quiet residential streets she knew so well, a far darker story began to surface. One involving frantic appeals, national TV reconstructions, an unidentified man seen running from the crime scene, and a tiny piece of evidence that would, years later, prove crucial.Exclusive content:Patreon - Ad Free, Early Access, Exclusive EpisodesFollow the show:YouTubeInstagramFacebookTikTokWebsiteDisclaimer:The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In April 1996, a quiet council estate in Falkirk became the centre of one of Scotland’s most unsettling domestic murder investigations. When 35-year-old Eleanor Harrison suddenly disappeared, friends, neighbours, and relatives were left searching for answers, and detectives quickly realised her absence was far from ordinary.What followed was a deeply disturbing inquiry that exposed a volatile home life, a fractured mother-son relationship, and allegations that painted a far darker picture than anyone first imagined. As forensic officers worked through the flat and witnesses began to come forward, the truth behind Eleanor’s disappearance became increasingly chilling.Exclusive content:Patreon - Ad Free, Early Access, Exclusive EpisodesFollow the show:YouTubeInstagramFacebookTikTokWebsiteDisclaimer:The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Five years ago today, on December 3, 2020, I released the first three episodes of British Murders. I had no idea what I was doing, no audience other than family and friends, no clue whether anyone would even listen. And yet here we are, half a decade later, still going strong. So, to mark the show’s five-year anniversary, I wanted to do something a bit different.This episode isn’t a deep dive into a case, there’s no script, and no big narrative. It’s just me, chatting through my listener’s questions and peeling back the curtain for anyone who’s curious about what actually goes on behind the scenes of a true crime podcast.Exclusive content:Patreon - Ad Free, Early Access, Exclusive EpisodesFollow the show:YouTubeInstagramFacebookTikTokWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.