Britain's Darkest Taboos

Mick Philpott became a symbol of hate across the nation when he was convicted of manslaughter following a flawed benefit scam which saw six of his children die. In a television exclusive CI discovers the harrowing story of how, over 30 years previous, Philpott stabbed his then teenage girlfriend, Kim Hill, 27 times. Leaving her for dead, Philpott then went onto attack Kim’s mother, Shirley, stabbing her 11 times. Convicted and sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, Philpott was released after serving just three years, leaving him free to commit more devastating crimes years later. In this disturbing television exclusive, Kim Hill recounts the brutal attack, whilst revealing how her mother’s terminal cancer may have been accelerated by the lasting effects of the stabbing. The episode also explores the incredibly moving account of how two of Philpott’s neighbours tried in vain to save the children from the house fire.

The abduction and murder of 15-year-old Essex school girl, Danielle Jones, left the nation shocked in 2001. Last seen near her home in East Tilbury, Essex, suspicion fell on Danielle’s Uncle, Stuart Campbell, when Danielle went missing. It soon emerged that builder, Campbell, was a secret paedophile who posed as a professional photographer from a modelling agency to lure underage girls to his home. Upon his arrest, more than 30 young women came forward claiming that Campbell had taken inappropriate pictures and assaulted them. However, after the largest murder investigation in Essex Police’s history, detectives are still unable to locate Danielle’s body. The episode reveals how the police convicted Campbell using forensic authorship analysis of text messages sent on Danielle’s phone, and with psychological analysis, explores the mental state that drove Campbell to commit this horrific crime. Danielle’s family hope this documentary will encourage Campbell to finally tell them where their daughter’s body can be found.

The nation was left stunned in 2011 when pregnant 19-year-old, Nikitta Grender, was brutally murdered just days before she was due to give birth. Killed by her fiancé’s jealous cousin, Carl Whant in a horrific attack, the soon to be mother was raped and violently stabbed to death by the killer in her home in Newport, South Wales. Whant, a former night club bouncer, then attempted to cover his tracks by setting fire to the first floor flat before fleeing the scene. Speaking to all those closest to Nikitta, the episode reveals the horrific impact her murder had, not only on the loved ones left behind, but also those in the community nearby. It also explores how Gwent Police caught Whant using DNA analysis from the crime scene and how the case led to the first conviction for child destruction in Welsh history.

In a chilling story of familial sexual abuse, sisters Nicola Twomey and Emma Willis reveal how they were molested by their father, Kevin Twomey, over a 12-year period in Port Talbot, South Wales. A well respected member of the community, Twomey raised money for charity by playing Santa at local community fund raisers. However, under his friendly demeanour lay a core of evil. The abuse began when Emma was 10 and Nicola just five years old, culminating in the horrific rape of Nicola when she was 17 years old. In a courageous act of strength, the sisters found the bravery to go the police. In this emotional episode, the sisters tell the story in their own words, detailing the extent of the abuse they suffered at the hands of their father, while psychologists reveal the devastating impact that sexual abuse has on a family.

When 45-year-old Lorna Smith accepted a stranger’s friend request online, she had no idea of the tragic consequences that lay ahead. After ending her four year relationship with Clifford Mills in 2006, Lorna began seeing other men, much to the dismay of her ex-partner. Mills subsequently set up a fake Facebook profile to bombard Lorna with phone calls and messages, before stabbing her to death in a jealous act of violence. In a case that led to new stalking laws being introduced in the UK, the episode delves into Mills’ psychological state after claiming his alter ego, ‘Stan’, killed Lorna, as well as revealing the chilling way he plotted the murder of his ex-partner on internet forums.

On New Year’s Day 2012, suicidal taxi driver, Michael Atherton, went on a destructive shooting spree in his family home in Horden, killing three women before pulling the trigger on himself. Among the victims were his partner, Susan McGoldrick, her niece, Tanya Turnbull, and Tanya’s mother, Alison Turnbull. Atherton was allowed to keep six guns in the family home. When Susan tried to leave Michael to start a new life, he committed a horrific late-night killing rampage inside the family home. Susan’s daughter, Laura McGoldrick, witnessed the bloodbath and survived only by escaping through a first-floor window and jumping to safety. The bloodsoaked teenager then raised the alarm. This episode reveals how the family members left behind following the horrific gun attack are still coming to terms with the events that took place, as well as following their endless campaign to change gun licensing laws in the UK.

Dubbed ‘Britain’s first white honour killing’, the murder of 17-year-old single mum, Laura Wilson, is a story of love, deception and resentment. In October 2010, the Rotherham based young mother was entangled in a fatal love triangle which led to her being brutally stabbed to death by ex-boyfriend, Ashtiaq Ashgar. After a brief fling with neighbour Ishaq ‘Zac’ Hussein, 22, Laura fell pregnant with their daughter, but Hussein refused to accept responsibility for the child. Stung by his rejection, Laura confessed to both the men’s families. Believing she had brought shame and dishonour to both their families, Ashgar lured Laura to a local canal before attacking her in a frenzied knife attack and throwing her into the water. The episode explores how Laura’s honesty, coming forward and revealing the truth, led to a plot for her murder, while also explaining the devastating effects the horrific murder had on Laura’s mum and sisters.

In November 2010, 50-year-old gamekeeper, Nigel Bacon, was killed by hitman Peter Jacques, hired by Nigel’s wife, Susan, and son, Michael, in a plot to claim his heritance. Nigel, who had a history of domestic violence, had more than £150,000 in cash at the family home, while his wife, Susan, and son, Michael, were both deep in debt. To get their hands on the money, the pair hired Jacques to stab Bacon six times at their remote cottage on the edge of Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire. Told from the view point of Nigel’s three other children, Kerry, Lyndsey and Stuart, the episode explores how they are all coming to terms with their father’s death. It also details the shocking revelation that Stuart was physically abused and neglected by his parents as a teenager. Adding a twist to the case, we also finally discover whether Stuart and Kerry are actually siblings when they take a DNA test.