January 1, 2026 marks 31 years since Fred West took his own life while awaiting trial for a series of horrific crimes that shocked Britain. This special episode features a rare and insightful conversation with Geoffrey Wansell, the journalist and author commissioned to write West’s official biography following his death.

Geoffrey brings a unique perspective shaped by extensive research, exclusive access, and decades of experience covering some of the UK’s most notorious cases. In our discussion, he reflects on the challenges of documenting West’s life, the realities behind the investigation, and the responsibility that comes with telling such a dark and complex story.

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British Murders with Stuart Blues

Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. The views and opinions expressed by my guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast or its host. This episode is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only.

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In place of a regular episode, this Christmas Day I’m sharing a short, heartfelt message - think of it as the Yorkshire version of the King’s Speech.

This brief Christmas Day special touches on the importance of connection at this time of year, acknowledges how difficult the season can be for many, and reflects on the victims and families behind the cases we’ve explored throughout 2025.

Thank you for listening this year, for supporting the show, and for being part of this growing community across Yorkshire, the UK, and over a hundred countries worldwide.

I wish you a very Happy Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year when it comes.

Cheerio, Stu x

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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 247

Scotland | SDAFMH | 0800 027 1234

Wales | Live Fear Free | 0808 80 10 100

Northern Ireland | DSA | 0808 802 1414

UK-wide | Men’s Advice Line | 0808 801 0327

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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In November 2001, a crime unlike anything North Wales had seen before shattered the quiet Isle of Anglesey. Inside her cosy bungalow, 90-year-old Mabel Leyshon was discovered murdered in circumstances so disturbing that even veteran detectives struggled to comprehend what they had found.

What unfolded next became one of Wales’s most unsettling investigations: a bizarre crime scene, an urgent public appeal, and a growing sense of fear within a community that had always felt safe. As rumours spread and national media descended, two questions dominated every conversation: Who could have done this - and why?

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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.

Five years ago, convicted serial killer Anthony Hardy died in prison while serving a Whole Life Order, a sentence he received after murdering Sally White, Elizabeth Valad and Bridgette Maclennan in the London Borough of Camden.

In the first-ever episode of True Crime Catch Up, Adam Lloyd (from the UK True Crime Podcast) and I discuss what went wrong with the Anthony Hardy case. We also examine the warning signs that were missed, and ask whether the system has really changed since his crimes shocked London in the early 2000s.

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.

In April 1987, 26-year-old Shani Warren was last seen driving in Buckinghamshire during an ordinary Easter weekend. The next day, her body was discovered in a lake, shocking her family and community. The circumstances of her death left investigators puzzled, and despite their efforts, the case quickly went cold.

Decades later, advances in forensic science and persistent police work finally brought Shani's killer to justice. This is the story of her life, the tragedy that haunted those who loved her, and the relentless pursuit of truth that refused to be forgotten.

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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.