Testimony - A True Crime Podcast

Vikki Preston and Rhona Schofield: The UNSOLVED double murder that’s haunted me for 21 years

On the night of May 10th 2005, someone who would have known that the front door of 23 King Street, Higher Broughton was insecure entered the 1930s terraced house. Once inside they lit two fires in foam-filled furniture in a sofa and armchair in the front lounge and rear living room. Within 20 minutes the temperature in the property was 1000 degrees centigrade causing windows to blow out. Rhona Schofield and Vikki Preston were best friends whose lives were tragically cut short in a suspicious house fire in Salford 20 years ago. Despite multiple arrests and a £50,000 reward, no one has ever been charged. Today, their families continue to fight for justice. We sat down with Neal Keeling, who first covered the case 21 years ago and has continued to report on the fire and the families’ fight for justice ever since. Anyone with information can contact GMP's Cold Case Unit directly on 0161 856 5978 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Continue reading at Manchester Evening News: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/were-both-just-19-killer-33566850 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Judge, jury, and executioner”: how a plotting pair brutally murdered “ordinary dad” Liam Smith

It was a brutal plot that resulted in the horrendous death of a dearly loved father, Liam Smith. The 38-year-old electrician was shot dead and doused in acid yards from his home in Wigan in November last year.The murder had been planned for 10 months.Couple Michael Hillier and Rachel Fulstow were once united on their plan to murder Smith as part of what they saw as “vigilante justice” - but the plotting pair soon turned on each other, placing the blame on another in court.In this episode of Testimony, our true crime podcast, Andrew Bardsley, who reported on the trial, explains the plot behind Smith’s murder, the day of the killing, and how it played out in court.The Manchester Evening News court reporter tells the podcast how Hillier and Fulstow were branded “judge, jury and executioner” during the trial.***Testimony is a Laudable production for the Manchester Evening News. It was presented and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin, featuring Andrew Bardsley.You can listen to previous episodes of our podcast on all the major platforms, including Spotify, Apple, Google, and more. And you can read more about this case on the MEN’s website: manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"He hung me up on a wall naked for millions to see": how Stephen Bear made a mockery of the 'revenge porn' trial

If Stephen Bear was aiming for theatre during his trial, the former reality TV star instead delivered farce and pantomime. But it was no laughing matter: the Celebrity Big Brother winner was sent to prison for 21 months in March following his conviction on revenge porn charges in December last year.Bear uploaded a video of him having sex with Love Island star Georgia Harrison without her consent on OnlyFans and WhatsApp. He was charged with two counts of disclosing private sexual photographs or films and one count of voyeurism.From day one, he made a mockery of the proceedings: from extravagant costumes and props to a rented Rolls Royce to unfounded claims about the jury.In this episode of Testimony, our true crime podcast, Ellis Whitehouse, chief reporter at EssexLive, who was there throughout the trial, discusses Bear’s bizarre behaviour, the bravery of Georgia Harrison, and the reaction to his conviction.***Testimony is a Laudable production for Reach, in collaboration with Essex Live. The story was told by Ellis Whitehouse with questions from Daniel J. McLaughlin, who also produced the podcast.You can listen to previous episodes of our podcast on all the major platforms, including Spotify, Apple, Google, and more. And you can read more about this case on the Essex Live website: https://www.essexlive.news/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“The most brutal murder I’ve come across”: the killing of Thomas Campbell

It was a brutal murder that shocked Manchester: torture, betrayal, killers likened to “creatures” and “a kind of cancer”.In the summer of 2022, Thomas Campbell was attacked in a professionally planned operation, lasting hours, and left for dead. He succumbed to his injuries after being stabbed, punched, kicked, and strangled.Andrew Bardsley followed this case as it played out in court, and he describes it as “the most brutal murder I’ve come across” over the years he has worked as a reporter.The Manchester Evening News court reporter tells Testimony -A True Crime Podcast about the events in July 2022, the investigation, and the reaction in the courtroom.***Testimony is a Laudable production for the Manchester Evening News. It was presented and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin, featuring Andrew Bardsley.You can listen to previous episodes of our podcast on all the major platforms, including Spotify, Apple, Google, and more. And you can read more about this case on the MEN’s website: manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Disappearance of Nicola Bulley

It is a story that has gathered massive interest across the country: the disappearance of Nicola Bulley.Nicola, a 45-year-old mother-of-two, disappeared almost three weeks ago, whilst walking along the River Wyre with her dog Willow.Despite a massive search in St Michael's on Wyre, a small village on the Fylde in Lancashire, no trace of Nicola has been found yet.Speculation is rife, the investigation continues, and covering the story is Alice Suffield, a reporter for LancsLive.On this special episode of Testimony, Alice gives us the background of Nicola’s disappearance, the impact on the community in St Michael’s, and how some are hindering the police’s investigation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices