A Moment In Crime

In December 2001, William Bell stormed into the Mt Wellington-Panmure Returned Services Association premises and brutally attacked four innocent people.

Club president Bill Absolum, club member Wayne Johnson and cleaner Mary Hobson died.

Susan Couch survived - just.

Bell left the mother-of-one for dead with broken arms and severe head injuries that caused a stroke.

She lost about 80 per cent of her blood and ambulance officers later said she came as close to dying as she could get.

Bell was on parole at the time of the murders and already had 102 convictions.

He was convicted of attempted murder, aggravated robbery and three counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 30 years. He is not eligible for parole December 2031.

His getaway driver was a Darnell Tupe. He was convicted of manslaughter and aggravated robbery and sntenced to 12 years' with a seven-year minimum non-parole period. He is currently at large in the community after being released on parole. 

In this month’s episode of Herald podcast A Moment In Crime senior journalist Anna Leask revisists the triple murder - explaining what led to Bell’s violent and callous offending and how the tragedy would never have happened if authorities had not missed a crucial opportunity to recall him to prison. chance to recall him to prison

Leask also tells the stories of the victims and surivor - why they were at the RSA that awful day and what they meant to their family and friends.

A Moment in Crime is available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released monthly.

The series is written and hosted by senior crime and justice reporter Anna Leask. Leask has been with NZME since 2005 and has worked as a specialist journalist focussing on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime.

If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email [email protected].

Since 2019, A Moment in Crime has produced almost 70 episodes, and has been downloaded over 2 million times, with listeners in over 180 countries. Past cases covered include the Bain Family murders, Lauren Dickason, James Wallace, the Heavenly Creatures case, and Grace Millane.

It was nominated for Best True Crime Podcast at the 2024 Radio and Podcast Awards.

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40 years ago, two bombs went off in Auckland's harbour when French agents targeted a Greenpeace ship. It was meant to be a warning against anti-nuclear protests, but the death of a photographer on board sparked a major police and political response. 

From the NZ Herald and Bird of Paradise Productions, this six-part series re-examines the bombing, the events leading up to it, the investigation that followed, and the ongoing fallout from this case and the French nuclear testing. 

Search for 'A Forgotten History' on your preferred podcast app. 

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On June 13, Chinese national Tingjun Cao was jailed for life for the murder of Christchurch real estate agent and mother Yanfei Bao.

Bao, 44, was stabbed to death in July 2023 and buried in a shallow grave on a farm outside Christchurch.

She was not found for more than a year.

The crime shocked New Zealand and this month on Herald podcast A Moment In Crime senior journalist and host Anna Leask tells the story of Yanfei and her killer.

In this episode Leask goes inside the courtroom to Cao’s sentencing and you will hear from the detective who led the investigation into his awful offending.

It is graphic in parts and may be upsetting. This podcast explores crime not for shock value, but for clarity — to understand what happened, why, and what it means. True crime is not entertainment — it's a responsibility. I tell crime stories with one goal in mind: to centre the victims, uncover the full story, and examine how justice is pursued — or denied.

This episode was produced by Leask, NZME audio engineer Alastair Boyes and Ethan Sills.

READ MORE:

Yanfei Bao murder: Capturing a killer and the 375-day hunt for missing Christchurch real estate agent

Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao’s murderer sentenced after disruptive, angry court outbursts

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Warning: this episode refers to child sex abuse and is intended for a mature audience only. 

The Christchurch Civic Creche child sex abuse scandal rocked the South Island city in the early 90s - and went on to become one of the most significant legal battles in New Zealand's history.

Childcare worker Peter Ellis was accused of bizarre and horrifying offences of satanic rituals, torture and sacrifice against preschoolers while he worked at the creche.

He was eventually convicted on 16 charges of sexually abusing pre-schoolers and jailed for 10 years. 

In 2022 - after numerous failed appeals - the Supreme Court quashed Ellis' convictions, saying the police investigation and his trial were significantly flawed. 

Sadly, Ellis died before the landmark decision. 

In this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask goes back to 1991 when Ellis was first accused of child abuse - and tells his story from there. 

You will also one of the last interviews Ellis ever gave before he died, as well as one of the child complainants who maintains she was abused by her former creche teacher. 

A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Anna Leask, senior journalist at the New Zealand Herald. To find out more about her work as a specialist crime and justice reporter click here. 

To read more: 

The twists and turns of Peter Ellis' Christchurch Civic Creche sex abuse case

Peter Ellis: Convictions posthumously quashed in landmark Supreme Court decision

To hear more:

The Front Page 

The Mike Hosking Breakfast, NewstalkZB

SEXUAL HARM - Where to get help

If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7: 

Call 0800 044 334
Text 4334
Email [email protected]

For more info or to web chat visit www.safetotalk.nz

Alternatively contact your local police station.

If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Youth crime is a constant issue in New Zealand – and in the last few years, stories of ram raids, violent attacks and spree offending have dominated the headlines.

Successive governments have tried to tackle the problem – introducing various policies, programs and plans and even changing legislation.

There has been some success, but for some youth offenders, it seems there is nothing anyone can say or do to stop their often terrifying and relentless behaviour.

In this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask examines the life of one of hte country's worst youth offenders - Paddy.

She also speaks with Principal Youth Court Judge Ida Malosi about the issues around young offenders, how they can be stopped and who is responsible. 

To read more about Paddy click here.

The series is written and hosted by Leask – who specialises in crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 19 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime.

If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email [email protected].

A Moment in Crime is available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released monthly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2015 a 43-year-old man was jailed for more than 15 years for the premeditated, prolonged and persistent sexual abuse of his two young daughters - filming much of the abuse of the youngest and uploading it to vile websites.

He was also convicted of sexual offending against another two little girls he met through his job at a community centre and secretly filming an adult friend having sex.

Recently he was refused parole and his daughters spoke to senior journalist Anna Leask, host of the Herald podcast A Moment In Crime about their ordeal.

SEXUAL HARM - Where to get help

If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7: 

Call 0800 044 334
Text 4334
Email [email protected]

For more info or to web chat visit www.safetotalk.nzAlternatively contact your local police station.

If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony John Wheble is not as well-known as many of the criminals previously covered by A Moment in Crime - but he is considered of New Zealand’s most violent criminals.

He has been in prison for more than a decade and he is serving as sentence with no end date, due to the severity and nature of his crimes. 

Wheble has tried to kill two fellow inmates with shanks - one who was confined to a wheelchair at the time with both legs in casts.  

The impression you get from the news stories and from the court decisions published about his years of offending is tha Anthony Wheble is a menace, someone who needs to be locked up for as long as possible.  

But there are people who will tell you that is not the case, that prison is the worst environment for Wheble, that he is unwell and needs a significant level of help.  

In this episode, Anna Leask explores the story of Anthony Wheble - who he is, what he has done and why he may never be released from prison, and speaks to his mum and another of his supporters about their mission to save him.

The series is written and hosted by Leask – who specialises in crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 19 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime.

If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email [email protected].

A Moment in Crime is available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released monthly.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the start of 2021 to November 2023 a total of 333 police staff - constabulary and non-sworn - were investigated for alleged criminal offending.

The constabulary includes all of those from recruits right up to senior inspectors and top cops. Non sworn staff are in admin or support roles within the organisation.

Of those investigated, 89 were charged.

In some cases, employees faced multiple charges.

They have murdered and raped people. They have stolen and lied. They’ve bought and sold drugs. They have abused children. They’ve assaulted their partners. They have been violent. They have tried to pervert the course of justice.

Instead of upholding the law as their job requires - these men and women were breaking it.

Here, A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask looks at memorable examples of crooked cop staff brought to justice by their workmates since the early 2010s.

A Moment in Crime is available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released monthly.

The series is written and hosted by Leask – who specialises in crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 19 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime.

If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email [email protected].

A Moment in Crime is available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released monthly.

READ MORE:

'Sex predator' police officer sentenced for indecent relationship with 13yo girl

Bad cops: Tax evasion, murder, fraud and assaults on list of convictions for NZ police

FIND JARED SAVAGE'S BOOKS HERE.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 19 years I have been a crime and justice reporter I have told countless stories about offending in New Zealand - who is behind it, who is hurt by it and the lasting impact. 

I’ve covered a lot of the really high-profile cases during that time - including more than 130 murders, and dozens upon dozens of prosecutions and trials for manslaughter, sexual assaults and abuse, domestic violence and child abuse. 

I’ve also written a lot about our country's most enduring cold cases and best-known historic crimes.

In today’s episode of A Moment In Crime I wanted to take you back through some of the other cases I have written about. These cases may not have dominated the headlines for as long or as widely as others - but they are cases I think about often and they are all important cases on New Zealand’s crime timeline. 

Some of the stories I will tell you in this episode are graphic, and others refer to sexual violence and or child abuse.

This episode is intended for a mature audience. 

If there is a case you would like to hear more about in a future episode, email [email protected]

READ MORE ABOUT THE CASES IN THIS EPISODE:

No parole for recidivist sex offender Johnathon Smallbon

HIV positive child sex offender paroled, takes on new identity

Exclusive: West Auckland children lived 'like caged animals' in 'despicable and sickening' neglect case

Revealed: Xi Wang brutally stabbed to death by ex as she held her 2yo son in her arms

DO YOU NEED HELP?

FAMILY VIOLENCE
Women's Refuge: Crisis line - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 (available 24/7)

Shine: Helpline - 0508 744 633 (available 24/7)Shakti: Specialist services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children: Crisis line - 0800 742 584 (available 24/7)

MENTAL HEALTH

Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)

Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)

Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234

Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)

Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call or text 1737

SEXUAL HARM

If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7 - call 0800 044 334 text 4334 or email [email protected]

Alternatively, contact your local police station.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In August 2014 Connor Morris was fatally injured during a street fight in West Auckland. He was struck in the head with a sickle-like tool and died instantly.

Morris, 27, was a patched gang member, the son of a senior leader and was in a relationship with the daughter of one of New Zealand's most prominent broadcasters. 

His murder and the trial for the man responsible, was high profile. A Moment In Crime writer and host Anna Leask covered the trial and sentencing for the Herald and looks back a the case 10 years on, as the killer becomes eligible for parole. 

Michael Thrift Murry admitted he killed Connor. But, he claimed there was no murderous intent, that he was trying to defend his younger brother from being attacked.

After a two-week trial a jury of eight men and four women found him guilty. He was jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years.

The Morris family were contacted before the podcast aired. They did not want to comment publicly but wanted to ensure people knew how much their son, brother and partner was loved by them.

For more on this case, visit nzherald.co.nz or click in the links above.

If you have a case you'd like us to consider covering - email [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.