Murder By The Sea
British seaside towns have a dubious reputation for hosting the most remarkable crimes. Murder by the Sea looks at the deadly tales from the coastlines of the United Kingdom.
Steven Grieveson, Sunderland, 2013
Grieveson preyed on school boys in Sunderland, committing a series of four brutal murders, and attempting to disguise them as accidents involving solvent misuse.
Paul Longworth, 1997
Longworth was the Commodore of his local sailing club. Enraged by his wife carrying out an affair, he plotted to murder her: staging her death as an act of suicide by hanging.
Colin Gunn: Trusthope, Lincolnshire, 2004
Colin Gunn was one of the UK's most feared gangsters. After his nephew's death, he ordered a revenge killing against the parents of the boy whom he considered to be responsible.
Matthew Hardman, Anglesey, 2001
Dubbed the Vampire of Anglesey, Hardman carried out one of the most horrific murders in recent history, killing his elderly neighbour, removing her heart and drinking her blood.
Terry Clifton, Morecombe, 1997
Terry Clifton murdered Tony Marrocco and Paul Sandham at their garage. He eluded the authorities in a game of cat and mouse, before the law eventually caught up with him.
Stephen Akinmurele: Blackpool 1999
Stephen Akinmurele is one of the UK's most prolific but least known serial killers, murdering at least 5 elderly victims before he hung himself at Strangeways prison.
Vitas Plytnykas: Brechin, 2008
Lithuanian Vitas Plytnykas worked as an agricultural migrant worker in Scotland. He murdered a fellow worker, leaving her severed head to be found by children on a Scottish beach
Graham Fisher: Shoreham, 1998
In the Summer of 1998, Graham Fisher stalked then stabbed young women before murdering and eating two of his victims.
John Cooper: Gower Peninsula, 2009
John Cooper was a charming hot gun serial killer who murdered four hikers and terrorised camp sites for decades, raping and robbing campers.
Jack Campbell: Orkney Island, 2010
A secret love triangle led to Jack Campbell murdering his love rival in a siege which shook Orkney Island.
Malcolm Green: St Brides, 1999
Dubbed the 'body in the bag' killer, Green murdered women and dumped their bodies in bags. It was the first time new advances in forensic face mapping were used for identification.
Michael Ross: Orkney Island
Michael Ross was just 15 when he shot Shamsuddin Mahmood in the face and fled. When the police caught him a decade later, he was a Black Watch Sgt, guarding HM the Queen.
Louisa May Merrifield: Blackpool
When a change of will is followed by a sudden death, a local GP raises his suspicions to the police, who question whether those meant to help the victim, caused her demise.
John & Rogers: Swansea
When a loving grandmother dies in the home of her daughter and grandson, many mourn the loss. But a tip of 15 years later raises questions that the police must answer.
David Ellis: Pembrokeshire
When tenants at a house receive a note from their live in landlord to say he has had to rush away, but to give the rent to a named tenant, questions are asked.
Mamie Stewart: Swansea
When a trunk is left at a hotel, with the address of a missing woman's parents inside, police become suspicious. Where could the successful chorus girl have gone?
Stuart Diamond: Blackpool
When the body of a homeless teenager is found behind a hotel, police realise the most dangerous type of killer is on the loose - one who attacks strangers.
Mitchell Quy: Southport
Join true crime author Geoffrey Wansell as he looks into the case of a killer whose violent fantasies lead him to pray on vulnerable people.
The Party Killer
Charlotte Pinkney vanished from Ilfracombe after going to a party. Police launched a murder hunt when her handbag was found in undergrowth - would they find the perpetrator?
The Merseyside Wheelchair Murderer
When Linda Anders is found dead at home, her wheelchair-bound husband Malcolm claims an intruder broke in. Police findings quickly change the course of the investigation.
The Newport Revenge Murder
When a sexual assault investigation jeopardises Robert Henry Davies' new life and threatens to revisit sins of his past, a reign of terror begins, culminating in a murder.
Eastbournes Dr Death
Bodkin Adams was a trusted GP who befriended older patients and was often named in their wills after their deaths, which curiously happened sooner than expected.
The Brighton Trunk Murders
Dismembered bodies of two women are both found in car trunks - the first at a train station, the second in a city. Could these cases be linked, and if so, how?
The Lady Killer
The murder of a part-time actress triggers a nationwide manhunt for a killer. But whilst Neville Heath is on the run in Bournemouth, another woman is found dead.
The Murderous Bigamist
When Pierre LeGris reports his wife Rui Li missing, police are instantly wary. When they uncover a tangled web of loyalty and deception, it only adds to the suspicion.
The Acid Bath Murders
While John George Haigh was in prison for fraud, he came up with a plan for the perfect murder: if there was no body, how could he be charged for killing someone?
Bournemouth's Crossbow Killer
After a fire breaks out at a home, police receive a strange phone call which triggers a hunt for a spree killer- a woman's body has been found in one room, her head in another.
The Blackpool Double Murder
Two eerily similar murders take place 10 years apart: two elderly women are killed in their homes. Could a cut clothesline in each garden unravel this cold case?
The Hotelier and the Hitman
An arrogant Bournemouth hotelier called Peter Taylor gets away with murdering his wife in 1982; but when he conspires to kill his son-in-law nine years later, his luck runs out.
Massacre at Red Gables Hotel
Former military commander Neil Rutherford unleashes terror on the unsuspecting guests of a remote Welsh seaside hotel in 1976, before turning the gun on himself.
Getting Away With Murder
In 1987, two brothers from a well-to-do family killed their parents in such brutal fashion that it still haunts the people of Jersey to this day.
The Mystery of the Man in the Woods
A young man, Tyrone France, becomes embroiled in Newport's drugs underworld, meeting a disastrous end in a remote forest clearing in 1996.
The Last Taxi Rider
Port Talbot taxi driver Linda Thomas made a fatal journey one night in 1973, when she picked up a homicidal homeless drifter called Trevor Howell.
The Seaside Lady Macbeth
A scandalous love triangle between a beautiful socialite, her young gardener and estranged husband cast a shadow of disrepute and death over 1930s Bournemouth.
The Murder of a Lonely Hearted Wife
Having brutally murdered his wife in 1993, Hassan Shatanawi thought he had effectively made her vanish from the face of the earth but he made one crucial oversight.
The Deadly Sin of the Father and Son
For Dundee's most infamous father-son pair, killing was a competition, and between them they murdered seven innocent people from 1967 to 1979.
Murder On the Rocks
The discovery of the body of a lighthouse keeper on the Scottish island of Little Ross in 1960 prompts a massive man hunt for his killer, assistant lighthouse keeper Robert Dickson.
The Brides in the Bath Murders
George Smith, an Edwardian man who married a string of women, only to drown them in a bath and steal their money, was eventually caught and hanged in 1915.
The Mark of a Murderer
Just before Christmas 1994, heavily tattooed Jason Mitchell strangled pensioners Arthur and Shirley Wilson, before returning to his father's house and dismembering his body.
Murdered In The Line Of Duty
Brian Bishop was shot and killed in a shoot-out with an armed robber as they returned to a stash point piled high with cash stolen from multiple post offices along the coastline.
The Last Supper
When Michael Barber finds his wife Susan in bed with another man, she realises she has to take drastic measures to stop him leaving, but no one could suspect how far she would go.
The Shallow Grave
When Danny Dyke tried playing the hardened drug dealer, he found himself in over his head, but it was his murderers ended up having sleepless nights.
The Conman Turned Killer
When Margaret McOnie is found dead on the cliff tops a nationwide manhunt followed. Her murderer would soon be revealed as a deadly conman and a double murderer.
A Crime Without Motive
A two year investigation into the random murder of Margaret Wilson, would lead police on one of the most complex and fascinating murder investigations in recent memory.
A Most Violent Man
After Philip Manning shot his ex-wife, Margaret Whitcombe dead in a vengeful rage on Christmas Eve and hospitalised her boyfriend, he led police on a chase across the country.
The Vicarage Killer
After a murderer mistakes a doctor for a vicar, he would proceed to travel the length of the country in search of another man of the cloth to kill.
A Very British Murder
Miles William Giffard believed his parents owed him everything, and would stop at nothing to get what he needed for the lavish lifestyle he craved.
The Deadly Family Man
After eleven days of radio silence, the Mochries were discovered dead in their home on a Sunday evening, in a twisted murder suicide. But police still had to discover why.
Brian Donald Hume: On a Wing and a Prayer
Donald Hume murdered his business partner Stanley Setty following an altercation that saw the killer's dog being kicked.
Hazel Williams: The Secret in the Cellar
Defending herself against her husband Robert, Hazel Williams bludgeoned him to death. She then proceeded to hide his body in the cellar and told people he had left her.
Noreen O'Connor: The Evil Eye
Marie Buls was an elderly woman in the care of wealthy spinster Noreen O'Connor. As time progressed O'Connor became convinced that Marie was possessed by the devil.
The Woods Brothers: The Blood Brothers
Elderly couple Benjamin and Dorothy were killed in their home in one of the most terrifying home invasions ever seen.
Herbert Bennett: The Body in the Sands
Herbert Bennett tired of his wife and strangled her with a bootlace in the sands off Yarmouth beach and was hanged for the crime.
James McElroy: The Killer Who Turned on his Friends
Teenager James McElroy was on holiday with his friends, which became a nightmare when he turned on the boys and murdered them with a shotgun.
Stephen Jones: The Cop Turned Killer
Following the discovery of his affair with a much younger woman, police Sergeant Stephen Jones killed his wife Madeline with his truncheon in their garage at home.
Craig Belcher
One night after breaking up with her boyfriend 22-year-old Kirsty Carver disappeared.
Brian Moore: The Mad Dog Murder
Teenager Clive Olive was a young member of the local biker gang the 'Sussex Mad Dogs'. But after crossing gang leader Brian Moore, he found himself sentenced to death.
Marty Fenton: The Torquay Massacre
Torquay businessman Martin 'Marty' Fenton fell out with the owner of the local casino John Tsigarides. He exacted his revenge with a murderous shooting spree.
Percy Mapleton
Percy Mapleton was looking for a way to a fast fortune - and identified Brighton bond trader Isaac Gold as his target. But a robbery on a moving train turned into tragedy.
Russell Causley
When Carole Packman disappeared, her husband managed to convince police that she had walked out - a decade later, detectives piece together what had really happened.
Donald MacMillan Jnr
Helen Torbet visited the Highlands every year, but over the years the son of its proprietors - Don MacMillan Junior - had developed an unhealthy obsession with her.
Wanda Chantler
Roger and Josie Hartland found themselves stalked by their new homes previous owner, a former resident of a Nazi breeding camp, producing children for Hitlers Aryan race.
Michael Brown
Michael Brown claimed to be a sensitive man, held back by the fact he was only five feet tall. His frustrations at his inability to get a job became murderous.
Wayne Doherty
Nora Trott, a much-loved member of her community, was savagely murdered. 27 years after her death, advances in DNA technology would allow police to find a suspect in her case.
Michael Peacock
Michael Peacock was having an affair with a much younger woman and had decided he didn't want to pay for a costly divorce - so he plotted what he believed to be the perfect murder.
Alan Conner
Sandra Parkinson was a vibrant young woman filled with potential. Working in Salcombe, her life was ended she was murdered in broad daylight just a few metres from a busy beach.
Peter Moore
By day peter Moore was a mild mannered cinema owner. By night he was a self-confessed Mummy's boy who turned to murder following the death of his mother.
Steve Dicker
Jean Dicker believed her son Steve was being kind when he moved in following the death of her husband. But when she was found in a seeming robbery gone wrong, tension rose.
The Car Box Killer
Andre Genestin was a cheating husband. A brutal murder followed that would see his wife's body stored in a car roof box in the garden.
The Valentine Killer
On Valentine's Day, Paul Dyson strangled his partner Joanne Nelson to death before removing her body and making it look like she had disappeared.
The Not So Cunning Fox
Sidney Fox was a dashing 31-year-old man who made a living travelling the country, swindling spinsters out of money and cashing stolen cheques.
The Lighthouse Club Murders
Paul Teed murdered three of his family members in a nightclub over a dispute over money. He then fled back to his home in Bradford, believing he had the perfect alibi.
The Bungalow Murderer
Emily Kaye was not aware of the past dealings of the handsome Patrick Mahon when she fell head over heels in love with him.
The Worlds End Murders
In the 1970’s a murderer terrorised Edinburgh, abducting and killing young women in what became known as ‘The Worlds End Murders’.
Britain’s Worst Female Serial Killer
Despite only being trialled and convicted for the death of a single victim, Mary Ann Cotton is often classed as Britain’s worst female serial killer.
The Campervan Killer
One of the most bizarre murder cases in British criminal history began when Police were called to attend the scene of a dog barking outside a campervan near Brighton. Forcing entry to the vehicle, they found its owner - Tony Robinson - murdered with a gun
The Ruxton Murders
Buck Ruxton was a well-respected GP and was greatly admired by his patients. But behind his respectable exterior, there lurked a duplicitous and jealous man.
Written In Plain Sight
Jason Webster was an undergraduate who became obsessed with mature student, Rebecca love. When Rebecca rejected his advances, he murdered her in a drunken rage.
The Cinderella Murder
Felicity Paget was killed by a "mystery knifeman" who entered her house, and also attacked her fiancé William Webb. The "fleeing attacker" left footprints behind in blood.
Murder In The Family
After not being seen for several days, Rita Parminter was found dead in her home in Hastings. To police, it initially appeared that she had taken her own life.
The Goatfell Murder
John Watson Laurie met Edwin Rose, and the pair went on holiday to the Isle of Arran. One morning they left to climb the mountains at Goatfell, however, only Laurie returned.
Blood On The Backseat
Gary Hampson was reported missing by his family after failing to turn up for an appointment. As fears grew, the police put a car garage he frequented under surveillance.
Befriended and Crumbled
In 1921 teenage typist Irene Munro travelled to the south coast of the UK for a summer holiday. Whilst there she met two young men - Will Gray and Jack Field - both unemployed veterans of the war.
The Skull In The Woods
The skull of Victoria Couchman was found by youngsters in woodland at St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, UK. Mystery had surrounded the young woman’s fate following her disappearance several months before.
The Rolex Killer
Already a wanted criminal in Canada, fraudster Albert Walker fled to the UK and assumed the identity of a man who would become his business partner - Ronald Platt.
Trialled To Death
In the 1990's, electrician Tony Teare lured Corrine Bentley to remote moorland in the UK, promising her a job. In the violent attack that followed, he left her for dead.
Hanged on Man
John Kewish was the last person to be hanged for murder on the Isle of Man in August, 1872. Yet, the case continues to create controversy to this day.