Strange Stories: Shepherds Bush/Clifton Suspension Bridge suitcase murders.

Send us a textThe story of Reverend Davidson, the vicar of Stiffkey dominated the newspapers in the early 1930s. This is the story.The Lion and Albert, By  Stanley Holloway was a comic monologue inspired by actual events they had heard about  in 1932. The events in this podcast happened in 1937. Nevertheless, I have put the lyrics here for anyone unfamiliar with the verse.There's a famous seaside place called BlackpoolThat's noted for fresh air and funAnd Mr. and Mrs. RamsbottomWent there with young Albert, their sonA grand little lad were young AlbertAll dressed in his best, quite a swellWith a stick with an horse's head handleThe finest that Woolworth's could sellThey didn't think much to the oceanThe waves they were piddlin' and smallThere was no wrecks and nobody drowneded'Fact, nothin' to laugh at at all!So, seeking for further amusementThey paid, and went into the zooWhere they'd lions and tigers and camelsAnd old ale and sandwiches, tooThere were one great big lion called WallaceHis nose was all covered with scarsHe lay in a somnolent postureWith the side of 'is face on the barsNow Albert had heard about lionsHow they was ferocious and wildTo see Wallace lyin' so peacefulWell it didn't seem right to the childSo straightway the brave little fellerNot showin' a morsel of fearTook 'is stick with the horse's head handleAnd shoved it in Wallace's earYou could see that the lion didn't like itFor givin' a kind of a rollHe pulled Albert inside the cage with himAnd swallowed the little lad whole!Then Pa, who had seen the occurrenceAnd didn't know what to do nextSaid "Mother, yon lion's ate Albert!"And Mother said "Ee, I am vexed"Then Mr. and Mrs. Ramsbottom, quite rightlyWhen all is said and doneComplained to the animal keeperThat the lion had eaten their sonThe keeper was quite nice about itHe said "What a nasty mishapAre you sure that it's your boy he's eaten?"Pa said, "Am I sure? There's his cap!"The manager had to be sent forHe came and he said "What's to-do?"Pa said "Yon lion's ate AlbertAnd him in his Sunday clothes, too!"Then Mother said "Right's right, young feller-I think it's a shame and a sinFor a lion to go and eat AlbertAnd after we paid to come in"The manager wanted no troubleHe took out his purse right awaySayin' "How much to settle the matter?"Pa says "What do you usually pay?"But Mother had turned a bit awkwardWhen she thought where her Albert had goneShe said "No, someone's got to be summonsed!"So that was decided uponThen off they went to the police stationIn front of the Magistrate chapThey told him what happened to AlbertAnd proved it by showing his capThe Magistrate gave his opinionThat no one was really to blameAnd he said that he hoped the RamsbottomsWould have further sons to their nameAt that Mother got proper blazin'"And thank you, sir, kindly, " said she-"What, waste all our lives raisin' childrenTo feed ruddy lions? Not me!"

Send us a text Brothers Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and Muhammad Amaad were tried for assault at Liverpool Crown Court. The case is of interest due to CCTV footage going viral amid accusations of violent racist behaviour by the police  and accusations of two tier policing. This podcast is posted without editing and recorded in one take.Amaaz has been found guilty on three charges, no verdict on one count. Amaad had a no verdict verdict against him. It is thought there will be a retrial.Please watch the video of 'Manchester Airport Police attack- All footage in order' on Youtube

Send us a textThis is a dark and dreadful case, it will be well covered in the news. Told in one take without editing. 

Send us a textYou will not of heard this story before. Christmas Castletown, Sunderland, County Durham.  A grandad feeling story for himself and ignored by his family decides to do something about it. December 1966.Recorded in one take without editing.

Send us a textThis shocking case dates from September 2023. Nicholas Prosper aged 18 had an ambition to become known as a spree killer.

Send us a textThis is a short podcast about a case that was reported this week. Jennifer Abbott was murdered on around 10 June. Police originally thought she had been targeted by drug addicts.  But the truth seemed a little more unusual. Recorded in a couple of hours in lo-fi and without editing.

Send us a textA story that rambles on about the murder of Worthing based amateur archaeologist John Pull on 10 November 1960. He was shot in a bank being raided by teenagers. There is an interesting contrast between John Pull who contributed so much during his life, compared to the nihilistic life style of those responsible for his death. His wannabe gangster killer actually claimed to be a reincarnation of the long dead American gangster Legs Diamond.

Send us a textA forgotten murder that took place in Middlesborough during December 1972. A vicious murder for the sake of a few pounds so the killer could place some bets at the Bookies. RIP Nellie Tighe.

Send us a textHello anyone reading or listening to this. Sorry it has been so long since my last pod. This case dates back to 1961 but it is an interesting case, virtually forgotten today. It is set in the East End of London when three policeman were shot by an angry man who had argued with his wife.There is no editing and all is in lo-fi.

Send us a textThe Helen Duncan seances at Portsmouth during WW2, allegedly called the spirit of a sailor who died aboard the HMS Barham which had been lost with almost 900 onboard.  The spirit sailor told Duncan of the loss. It was top secret and nobody was supposed to have knowledge of it, so was this proof that spirits called at the séance were genuine? Well of course not,  but other documentaries on the subject were coy about telling the story suggesting or hinting that it may be the case that it was a spirit. I found this ambiguity rather annoying and wanted to get to the truth of the case. So I made this podcast based on the court papers.