Crime Next Door

The Cop, The Kidnap and The Killer: 3. An Extraordinary Plan

Crime Next Door

Show Notes

Faced with deceptions and dead-ends, Detective Chief Superintendent Bob Booth devises an audacious plan to catch the so-called ‘Black Panther' and save Lesley Whittle. What follows is an elaborate deception of his own, involving the Whittle family and an unsuspecting national media. This series contains rare and original archive, some not broadcast since the time. Presenter: Susan Hanks. Producer: Susan Hanks and Rob Howell. Sounds Producer: Rob Howell. Story Consultant: Luke Eldridge. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producers: Arran Bee and Aftab Gulzar. Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin.

More from Crime Next Door

Oct 19, 2026

On the 10th of April 1991, Diane Watson and Barbara Glover stand in the middle of a school playground, surrounded by a circle of children. Barbara has come armed with a knife. Why?

Oct 11, 2026

In 1991 – a teenage girl takes a knife to school and commits murder in the middle of a playground full of children. The killing of Diane Watson devastates her family and shocks a whole country. Following her trial, the killer, 15-year-old Barbara Glover, is detained ‘without limit of time’. But, for the Watson family, the grief and pain is far from over. Audrey Gillan traces the ripple effects of the murder of a child, by a child – uncovering how the words of two journalists spark a bitter and decades-long crusade which transforms a dinner lady into a ferocious campaigner. One who does everything in her power to change the law, take on a whole industry, and right an historic wrong.

Sep 12, 2026

The story of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan. In 1991 they were murdered by their spouses who then staged a scene to make it look like they had taken their own lives. 18 years later - one of the killers decided to confess. Episode 6– The Ring Dr Lauren Bradford Clarke was just four years old when her mother Lesley Howell was murdered by her father Colin. He was assisted in the killing by the woman he was having an affair with – Hazel Stewart. Now an assistant professor of criminology at Nottingham university, Lauren is determined that she will not be defined by her family’s past – and that she will reclaim her mother’s memory for her own future. Episode written and presented by Dr Lauren Bradford Clarke Series readings by: Declan Rodgers Tierna McNally Andrew McCracken Christine Clare Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland production

Sep 5, 2026

The story of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan. In 1991 they were murdered by their spouses who then staged a scene to make it look like they had taken their own lives. 18 years later - one of the killers decided to confess. Episode 5 – The Trial Colin Howell’s police interviews reveal the true extent of Hazel’s role in the murders of Lesley and Trevor, but Hazel claims she was under his control. During Hazel’s trial for double murder, Lesley’s daughter Lauren is shocked to hear her police interviews played in court - and believes Hazel could have stopped the murders from taking place Narrated by Lucy McConnell Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland production

Aug 29, 2026

The story of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan. In 1991 they were murdered by their spouses who then staged a scene to make it look like they had taken their own lives. 18 years later - one of the killers decided to confess. Episode 4 – The Secret After the killing of Lesley and Trevor, Colin and Hazel continue their secret affair. Lesley’s daughter Lauren begins to see Hazel as a mother figure, unaware of the dark secret she shares with her father Colin. But years later, when Hazel and Colin have ended their affair, remarried and started separate new lives – Colin Howell begins to believe that God is punishing him, and that he must confess to their crimes. Narrated by Lucy McConnell Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland production

See all episodes →