The Murder of Rachel Nickell: How Robert Napper Was Finally Caught - with special guest Bill Clegg KC
True CriminalsShow Notes
In Part One, Bill Clegg KC revealed how the case against Colin Stagg collapsed, leaving Rachel Nickell’s real killer free. In Part Two, the story turns to the man who actually murdered her: Robert Napper.
Helen Fospero and Martin Brunt are once again joined by Bill, who found himself in an extraordinary position. Having defended Colin Stagg, he later represented Napper after he was charged with the brutal murders of Samantha Bissett and her four-year-old daughter Jasmine.
Within an hour of reading the case papers, Bill became convinced Napper was also the man who had killed Rachel. He explains the striking similarities between the crimes, the warning signs and missed opportunities surrounding Napper, and why police tunnel vision may have allowed the real killer to remain free.
Years later, advances in forensic science finally linked Napper to Rachel’s murder. Sixteen years after her death, he admitted killing her on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Bill also reflects on the wider lessons of the case: the pressure on police to find a suspect in high-profile investigations, the danger of assumptions taking the place of evidence, and the devastating human cost when an investigation goes wrong.
Bill Clegg KC's book, Under the Wig: A Lawyer's Stories of Murder, Guilt and Innocence:
https://www.quercusbooks.co.uk/titles/william-clegg/under-the-wig/9781529401240/
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Listen ad-free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/truecriminals
As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE
FOLLOW TRUE CRIMINALS
Instagram: @true.criminalsTikTok: @truecriminalspodcast
CONNECT WITH MARTIN BRUNT
Follow Martin on Twitter at @skymartinbrunt.
Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here:
CONNECT WITH HELEN FOSPERO
Follow Helen on Instagram at @helenfospero and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575
CREDITS
True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.
Visit:
https://www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals
Executive Producer: Lee MannProducer: Russell BarnesAudio Production: BLEACHEDMusic Composition: BLEACHEDArtwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from True Criminals
After more than five decades behind bars, Charles Bronson is once again fighting for his freedom. With another crucial parole hearing approaching, True Criminals hosts Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero discuss the latest developments in the extraordinary case of one of Britain's most notorious prisoners.
In February 1990, seven-year-old Rachel Watts went out on her roller skates to buy sweets near her home in Brighton. On her way back, she encountered Russell Bishop — the man acquitted three years earlier of murdering Karen Hadaway and Nicola Fellows. Bishop abducted Rachel, drove her to Devil's Dyke, sexually assaulted and strangled her, and left her for dead.
Did you know True Criminals is on Patreon?
In October 1986, nine-year-old best friends Karen Hadaway and Nicola Fellows disappeared after going out to play near their homes on the Moulsecoomb estate in Brighton. The following afternoon, their bodies were discovered in Wild Park.
Did you know True Criminals is on Patreon? You can listen ad free and enjoy exclusive bonus content, just like the episode you’re listening to right now.