Crimes That Shook Britain

Rolf Harris was considered one of the country’s best loved entertainers until he was accused of a string of historic indecent assaults. Unlike Jimmy Savile, he was still alive to be brought to justice. Originally from Australia, Rolf Harris became a television star in the UK back in the 1960’s. He would become famous for his TV programmes, music and art, even painting a portrait of the Queen for her jubilee in 2012. But in August 2013, his legacy and reputation lay in tatters when he was accused of numerous indecent assaults on girls as young as eight years old between 1968 and 1986. In July 2014 he was sentenced to five years in prison for his actions. We reveal Harris’ life and his crimes told by people who worked with him and those who represent his victims who fought so long for justice.

The hunt for five year old April Jones, when she vanished in October 2012, was the largest missing person search in UK police history. April went missing whilst playing with her friends and was last seen getting into vehicle near her home in Machynlleth, mid-Wales. The nation held their breath as the hours, days and weeks rolled on, in the desperate hope to find her alive. But on the 6th October a local man, Mark Bridger was charged with her abduction and murder. Investigations in his background revealed that Bridger was a prolific user of child pornography and a paedophile. After a long and distressing trial, Bridger was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison with a whole life tariff. With unprecedented access to the Jones family and the police investigation, we reveal the true story behind this appalling crime and how April’s family have channeled their grief into campaigning for a safer internet.

Drug dealer Dale Cregan hit the headlines in 2012 when he murdered police officers Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone. Dermot Murnaghan examines the tragic case

On an October evening in 1977, 2 girls were enjoying a night out in the World’s End pub in central Edinburgh. The following day, one body was found on a beach, the other in a field. The girls were seen leaving the pub with two men but the identity of the killer would remain a mystery for the next 30 years. In 2007, Angus Sinclair was charged with the girl’s murder after new DNA evidence linked Sinclair and his brother in law Gordon to the murders. However the trial sensationally collapsed when a piece of crucial evidence was withdrawn. Unbeknownst to the jury, Hamilton had a history of sex attacks starting at the age of 16 and culminating him serving a life sentence for the murder of a 17 year old woman in Glasgow in 1978 . In 2014, following the development of new DNA technology, Prosecutors successfully applied for a change in a century’s old law of double jeopardy, consequently allowing the same man to be tried twice for the same crime. This time, the trial proved successful and Sinclair was jailed for a minimum of 37 years. He has been described as Scotland’s worst serial killer and the authorities believe he may well have been responsible for numerous other murders.

Myra Hindley and Ian Brady were convicted of murdering five young boys and girls between 1963 and 1965. Until 1985 both killers maintained their innocence, but eventually confessed and led police to all but one of the bodies – Keith Bennett, who remains missing until this day. We investigate the brutal murders through relatives and officers, and look into new information held by Bennett’s brother that could finally reveal his resting place.

Estate agent, Suzy Lamplugh, disappeared in July 1986 after going to meet a client at a house in Fulham. Witnesses said they saw her arguing with a man near the address and then getting into a car. She has never been seen since. For almost thirty years police have followed many lines of enquiry – one being to identify who ‘Mr Kipper’ is that she went to meet. So far they have reached a dead end. In 1994 she was officially declared dead, presumed murdered. The strongest theory to date is that convicted rapist and killer, John Cannan, killed Lamplugh. But as yet, this hasn’t been proven. Cannan is already serving a life sentence with the recommendation he never be released.