A UK barrister jailed for causing death by dangerous driving has been cleared to return to work, and the decision is dividing opinion. In July 2022, Hamish Hickey fatally injured 84-year-old Michael Lupton in a head-on crash near Ampleforth, North Yorkshire. After initially denying responsibility, he later admitted the offence and was sentenced to 23 months in prison. The Bar Standards Board has now ruled he can resume practising law once his sentence, including time spent on licence, is complete.

In this video we break down the fatal crash, the court proceedings, sentencing for causing death by dangerous driving in the UK, and the controversial decision to allow a convicted barrister back into the justice system. We examine public confidence in the legal profession, rehabilitation after prison, professional misconduct standards, and whether serious criminal convictions should carry lasting career consequences. This episode explores accountability, privilege, dangerous driving laws in England and Wales, and the wider implications for the UK criminal justice system.

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More than 25 years after the murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall in Felixstowe, serial killer Steve Wright has returned to court to confess to the crime. Already serving a whole life order for the 2006 Ipswich murders of five women, Wright was handed an additional 40-year sentence, but his sudden admission has raised serious questions. Why did he choose to speak now, what investigative opportunities were missed in 1999, and could earlier police action have saved lives?

In this episode we examine the Victoria Hall case, the attempted abductions that preceded it, and the broader implications of Wright’s confession. We discuss potential additional victims, expert insight from Professor David Wilson, speculation surrounding unsolved cases, and the importance of responsible media reporting - particularly when victims are vulnerable. As always, we focus on accountability, context, and remembering the people whose lives were taken, not just the person responsible.

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Lucy Letby is back in the headlines as Netflix releases 'The Investigation of Lucy Letby', reigniting debate, strong emotions, and public discussion around her case. In this episode we unpack the latest developments, including the decision not to pursue further charges, and why the documentary has sparked renewed interest.

To be absolutely clear, nothing we discuss suggests Lucy Letby is innocent. She remains convicted and is serving 15x Whole Life Orders. Instead, we explore why some cases attract organised belief in innocence, how expert evidence is interpreted by the public, and whether questioning verdicts strengthens or undermines justice.

We also put the conversation into context with historic and recent miscarriages of justice, including Timothy Evans and Peter Sullivan, highlighting what happens when doubt enters the system and the limits of certainty in the justice system.

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In this episode of True Crime Catch Up, we’re doing something a little different.

Instead of focusing on one case, we go behind the scenes of true crime podcasting. We talk openly about how we choose cases, how we research and write them, and the emotional toll that comes with telling these stories week after week.

We discuss recent cases we’ve covered, including why certain stories stay with us, the dangers of turning true crime into “man kills woman every week”, and how behaviour that escalates over time is still too often dismissed or minimised. We also talk about wrongful convictions, false confessions, and the long-lasting impact these cases have on victims’ families.

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West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford has retired after a major scandal involving misleading MPs, flawed intelligence, and the use of AI-generated material - but because he wasn’t formally sacked, he will still receive his police pension. The case has reignited serious questions around police accountability, leadership failure, and public trust in UK policing.

In this episode, we break down what went wrong, place it in the wider context of policing scandals - including the resignation of Dame Cressida Dick following the Sarah Everard case - and ask whether senior officers are ever truly held to account. We also balance the conversation by highlighting genuine policing wins and acts of bravery, before ending on a lighter note with one extremely intoxicated raccoon who managed to rob a liquor store.

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Elon Musk is furious as the UK considers action that could see X (formerly Twitter) restricted or even banned following controversy surrounding its AI chatbot, Grok, being used to generate sexually explicit and non-consensual AI images.

In this episode, we break down Ofcom’s investigation into X, and explore why UK regulators say the platform may be failing its Online Safety Act duties. We also examine Musk’s explosive response, accusations of censorship, and what this showdown means for free speech, AI regulation, and the future of social media in the UK.

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The 1980 murder of John Lennon in New York shocked the world, but what followed raised uncomfortable questions that continue to surface after acts of extreme violence.

In this video, we examine the murder and the intense focus placed on The Catcher in the Rye, the book carried by his killer, Mark David Chapman. We explore how quickly media attention shifted from the crime itself to the idea that books, films, and popular culture can influence real-world violence, and whether that connection stands up to scrutiny.

We also discuss wider examples of media being blamed after shocking crimes, from moral panics around horror films and the UK’s “video nasties”, to the lasting myths surrounding the murder of James Bulger. Alongside celebrity murders and high-profile cases, we look at how fame, cultural fear, and public outrage can shape the way violence is explained - often diverting attention away from mental health, obsession, and warning signs that go ignored.

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As 2025 draws to a close, attention is already turning to the major UK true crime trials and justice system developments expected in 2026, alongside growing concern that justice in some of the country’s most serious cases is taking far too long to arrive.

In this video, we look ahead to the trials and investigations likely to dominate headlines next year. We examine upcoming court cases, politically sensitive prosecutions, and long-running investigations that raise difficult questions about accountability, fairness, and whether justice delayed has effectively become justice denied.

We also discuss proposed reforms to the criminal justice system and what they could mean for the future of jury trials, reflect on which unresolved cases could see developments in 2026, and examine how true crime storytelling continues to evolve across podcasts, YouTube, television, and social media.

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Christmas crime in the UK doesn’t stop just because it’s the festive season. In this Christmas Eve episode of True Crime Catch Up, we explore real UK cases involving so-called “Bad Santas”, Christmas Eve burglaries, and festive-season offences where people dressed as Santa committed crimes around the holidays.

This relaxed roundup-style episode examines why crime often increases at Christmas, how offenders exploit seasonal routines and celebrations, and the impact these crimes have on victims. While lighter in tone than our usual episodes, this conversation is a reminder that festive crime is still serious, and that awareness matters - even at Christmas.

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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 video, we 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.

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