The Blood-Covered Publican: David Owen’s Rampage in 1818 London
News of the Times Episode 497 | 1818
Step back in time to the year 1818, in the quiet suburb of Edmonton, North London—where a shocking and violent event gripped the local community.
David Owen, a 50-year-old widower and well-known publican, was regarded as a mild and peaceful man. But one day, in a fit of apparent madness, he arrives at his sister’s home armed with several knives—and attempts to kill her, her husband, and their maid.
As chaos erupts inside the house, it takes a team of policemen and a crowd of neighbours—wielding crowbars—to force their way in and confront Owen, who stands blood-soaked and frenzied, like a man possessed.
What could have caused such a horrifying transformation in a man once thought so unassuming? And what buried seed from his past may have led to this moment of horror?

📌 In our “Further Particulars” segment at the end of the episode, we explore a bizarre court case from 1888: What is the cost of a wife? At that time, the going rate was roughly £330 in today’s money. But what happens when the first husband—who sold his wife—tries to renegotiate the price?
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1810 - 1867: Serial Killer Children | Ep187
https://youtu.be/BWXNgZzifPU
1810 & 1833: Scandal, Murder and the Duke of Cumberland | Ep202
https://youtu.be/fMAtB5QHQ0w
1815 - 1882: History Compilation Special –Crime Stories That Made History | Ep228
https://youtu.be/m1_tkiiay20
1809-1811: The German Brinvillier - Anna Margaretha Zwanziger | EP352
https://youtu.be/BxOsIxpNCrs
1816 & 1898: Deadly Relations: Shocking In-Law Murders | EP365
https://youtu.be/RWwLJ3nLr30
1814: The Disturbing Case of Sarah Stone | EP430
https://youtu.be/RjMEECXEwro
1812: The Infamous Murderous Lomas Morrey Love Triangle | EP436
***
Who are News of the Times?
We are an independent group of historians, researchers , and actor with a passion for historical crime!

Unlocking the Vaults of Historical Crime, your gateway to a captivating journey through the darker pages of history. We dive deep into the annals of crime, unearthing forgotten stories, unsolved mysteries, and notorious criminals from the past.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

The Mysterious Tragic Affair at Kidwelly
News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840
Southwest Wales, 1881.
Eleven-year-old John Thomas sets off on a simple errand — to deliver a pair of shoes made by his father, a local shoemaker. He completes his task, collects ten shillings, and begins the short walk home.
But he never arrives.
Along the way, John encounters two local boys — David Mazey, aged 12, and his younger brother Benjamin, aged 10. A neighbor watches him enter the Mazey home… and that is the last time John Thomas is seen alive.
What follows is a disturbing tale that shocked Victorian Britain:
John's body is discovered in a nearby ditch — a place that had already been searched the day before. His small frame is battered, broken, and drained of blood, with injuries so horrific they defy belief — especially if inflicted by children.

The case becomes national news, not only for its sheer brutality, but for the eerie disappearance and reappearance of the boy’s body… and the disturbing youth of the suspected murderers.

And in our “Further Particulars” segment: a Victorian tragedy unfolds — a young woman dies shortly after childbirth. But days later, a horrifying truth emerges… she was buried alive.
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1888: Case of the 1888 Marylebone Murder Mystery | EP435
https://youtu.be/JgLiiT-f_xY
1883 & 1927: The Curious Case of James Kelly - | EP442
https://youtu.be/JlPJSl6iTlY
1881: The Case of the Cambridge Killing | EP449
https://youtu.be/lZvxvOwnjPA
1881: A Hatchet, A Gunshot & A Widow’s Denial | The Chilling Case of David Buchanan | EP451
https://youtu.be/c9vHh0p9wb0
1884 - 1887: Deadly Love Turns Into Murder In Shocking True Crime Cases | EP454
https://youtu.be/aCirfAOQoHs
1881: Jealousy and Murder Near St Columb || Exploring a Deadly Case of Jealousy and Murder | EP456
https://youtu.be/Oxo-TuZLHXw
1880: the Harley Street Mystery | EP458
https://youtu.be/F6V2OuSfi68
1885: The Walsoken Tragedy | EP474
https://youtu.be/4TvLBlRHbCY

NEWS OF THE TIMES PLAYLISTS

News of the Times MURDEROUS MONDAYS
We look at a famous historical murder case of its day in detail
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuj5alJ9fVqsjz8AEFGWzNvEKXs7xBgm_

News of the Times WICKED WEDNESDAYS
The dark side of historical England is explored in this series uploaded every Wednesday
https://www.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

The Case of the Frightful Outrage Near Norwich
News of the Times Episode 494 | 1873
1873. A quiet hamlet just six miles south of Norwich, where the silence of the night is shattered by cries of murder. An 11-year-old girl, Lucy Goodrum, barefoot and in her nightdress, desperately pounds on the door of the village washerwoman, begging for help.
Inside the house she fled from lies a horrifying scene: Edna Mitchell, a widow in her 60s who had taken Lucy into her care, is found barely alive—allegedly the victim of a brutal axe attack. The accused? Her own son-in-law, Thomas Mitchell, a local carpenter with seven children of his own, and a man whose financial ties to Edna may provide a grim motive.
We explore the origins of this dark tale

And in our “Further Particulars” segment:
We cross the Atlantic to 1874 America, where a new temperance movement is taking shape. Women, driven by a moral mission, are storming saloons—literally lying down on barroom floors in prayer and protest—to convince the public to give up alcohol. Because you know, when you have time on your hands in the wild west, what else would you do?
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1874: FRANCE Murderous Mother Daughter Love Triangle | EP377
https://youtu.be/22HllMIaXH4
1877: The Case of Serial Killer Count De Tourville | EP379
https://youtu.be/C-2LGyCAMqw
1878: The Canadian Monster - Joseph LaPage | EP380
https://youtu.be/wB_gjPMsNn4
1864 & 1878: Distrubing Cases of Matricide | EP393
https://youtu.be/zvn0Jq3d75A
1879 - 1893: The Worst Woman on Earth - Serial Killer Lizzie Halliday | EP410
https://youtu.be/w7DpCYJNRfw
1877?: The Case of Edinburgh's Last Public Execution | EP436
https://youtu.be/i3RUIBSuJbI
1878: The Case of the Bodies in the Dung Heap | EP444
https://youtu.be/RzNM8NsheFY
1877: The Isle of Wight Murder of 1877 | EP458
https://youtu.be/dGIcAuTsldA

***
Who are News of the Times?
We are an independent group of historians, researchers , and actor with a passion for historical crime!

Unlocking the Vaults of Historical Crime, your gateway to a captivating journey through the darker pages of history. We dive deep into the annals of crime, unearthing forgotten stories, unsolved mysteries, and notorious criminals from the past.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

Was It Suicide—or Murder by His Own Brother? | True Crime Case of Dr. William Lyddon
News of the Times Episode 493 | 1891
When Dr. William Lyddon is found lifeless on the floor of his stepmother’s bedroom, all signs initially point to a tragic overdose. But as investigators dig deeper, the story begins to unravel—revealing a twisted web of jealousy, greed, and long-standing family tensions.
What begins as a possible case of morphia self-poisoning quickly evolves into something far more sinister. Could this be a modern echo of Cain and Abel, or a bitter rivalry like Richard the Lionheart and Prince John?
This chilling case captured national headlines, raising the ultimate question:
Did Dr. Lyddon take his own life—or was he murdered by someone within his own family?
And in our “Further Particulars” segment:
A recently widowed man in his 60s stuns his conservative neighborhood by marrying his 20-year-old servant. The scandal that follows was senstaional in the village!
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1894: The Creepy Case of the Shaftesbury Av. Murder | EP396
https://youtu.be/D8PtrGwBJlw
1896 & 1903: The Infamous Starr Murders | EP406
https://youtu.be/LqmZzLivZUU
1879 - 1893: The Worst Woman on Earth - Serial Killer Lizzie Halliday | EP410
https://youtu.be/w7DpCYJNRfw
1893: The Murder Case of Wormwood Scrubs | EP411
https://youtu.be/_UQCMyiIUG0
1893: The Case of the Rotherhithe Murder | EP414
https://youtu.be/DmmERqj51T4
1156 - 1895: Cases of Real Life Sweeney Todds | EP415
https://youtu.be/FTMWX_ttku0
1895: The Case of the Mansfield Tragedy Serial Killing | EP421
https://youtu.be/zl94LyAilBY
1896: A Spitalfields Tragedy - The Ellen Collins Mystery | EP427
https://youtu.be/DWcIfrCU92Q

***
Who are News of the Times?
We are an independent group of historians, researchers , and actor with a passion for historical crime!

Unlocking the Vaults of Historical Crime, your gateway to a captivating journey through the darker pages of history. We dive deep into the annals of crime, unearthing forgotten stories, unsolved mysteries, and notorious criminals from the past.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

The Curious Case of the Perryman Affair
News of the Times Episode 53 | 1840
In a modest lodging house, tensions run high between a mother and her son—Frances and Thomas Perryman—both known for their frequent clashes over money and mutual struggles with alcohol. But one February day, something much darker unfolds.

Lodgers hear disturbing sounds from the Perrymans' room. Thomas is seen frantically rushing in and out. When concerned neighbors investigate, they discover a horrifying scene: Frances Perryman, dead—apparently strangled.

What initially appears to be a clear-cut case soon spirals into a complex mystery of guilt, motive, and even a whodunnit—ultimately claiming another tragic victim: the suspect’s own brother.

We delve into this twisted tale that exposes the harsh realities of life among the lower classes in Victorian London.

And in our “Further Particulars” segment, we explore the strange case of a prominent flat-earther who ends up in court after a bet - is the world round or flat - does not go as he believed.
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1877: The Case of Serial Killer Count De Tourville | EP379
https://youtu.be/C-2LGyCAMqw
1878: The Canadian Monster - Joseph LaPage | EP380
https://youtu.be/wB_gjPMsNn4
1864 & 1878: Distrubing Cases of Matricide | EP393
https://youtu.be/zvn0Jq3d75A
1879 - 1893: The Worst Woman on Earth - Serial Killer Lizzie Halliday | EP410
https://youtu.be/w7DpCYJNRfw
1877?: The Case of Edinburgh's Last Public Execution | EP436
https://youtu.be/i3RUIBSuJbI
1878: The Case of the Bodies in the Dung Heap | EP444
https://youtu.be/RzNM8NsheFY
1877: The Isle of Wight Murder of 1877 | EP458
https://youtu.be/dGIcAuTsldA

***
Who are News of the Times?
We are an independent group of historians, researchers , and actor with a passion for historical crime!

Unlocking the Vaults of Historical Crime, your gateway to a captivating journey through the darker pages of history. We dive deep into the annals of crime, unearthing forgotten stories, unsolved mysteries, and notorious criminals from the past.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

Poisoner in the Family: The Dark Tale of Ellen Heesom
News of the Times Episode 491 | 1878
In today’s story we’re going back to Cheshire in the year 1878, where beneath the quiet surface of Warrington, a dark and deadly secret is about to be revealed.

It begins in late November 1877 with the sudden and tragic death of Lydia Sykes, aged 59, while visiting her daughter Ellen Heesom and her family. In good health when she arrived, Lydia became violently ill within hours and, despite receiving the usual treatments, passed away the very next day.

Her sudden death raised alarm bells — not only because of its swiftness, but because it echoed a tragedy just six weeks earlier: the death of Ellen’s 12-month-old daughter, Sarah Heesom.

Growing unease among neighbours and authorities led Lydia’s long-time doctor to take action. Disturbed by the circumstances, he requested an autopsy — and what followed uncovered a disturbing pattern of death within the family.

Soon, another daughter’s untimely passing was recalled… and the investigation took a chilling turn that would eventually draw in none other than Dr. Joseph Bell, the brilliant analyst widely referenced as the inspiration behind Sherlock Holmes himself.

But before we close, in our end of episode "Further Particulars" segment, we’ll shift gears and head into Victorian society for a lighter, if not slightly cruel tale — that of an unlucky amateur boxer who steps into the ring with a champion... only to become the laughingstock of his neighbourhood after defeat. Did his community rally behind him? Not quite.
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

f you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1873 - 1898: Crime Tales from The Raj | EP376
https://youtu.be/F_Q1Rw-7bXQ
1877: The Case of Serial Killer Count De Tourville | EP379
https://youtu.be/C-2LGyCAMqw
1878: The Canadian Monster - Joseph LaPage | EP380
https://youtu.be/wB_gjPMsNn4
1864 & 1878: Distrubing Cases of Matricide | EP393
https://youtu.be/zvn0Jq3d75A
1877?: The Case of Edinburgh's Last Public Execution | EP436
https://youtu.be/i3RUIBSuJbI

***
Who are News of the Times?
We are an independent group of historians, researchers , and actor with a passion for historical crime!

Unlocking the Vaults of Historical Crime, your gateway to a captivating journey through the darker pages of history. We dive deep into the annals of crime, unearthing forgotten stories, unsolved mysteries, and notorious criminals from the past.

Our channel is dedicated to shedding light on the compelling, mysterious, and often chilling crimes that have shaped

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

The Matricide in Chisenhale Street
News of the Times Episode 490 | 1873
***A warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions, quoted from original 19th-century newspaper accounts***
Today, we journey back to Liverpool, 1873, where a crime of unspeakable brutality shocked Victorian society — a son accused of the cold-blooded murder of his own mother.
There were no pleas of insanity. No haze of drink to blame. What unfolded was an act so savage, so devoid of compassion, it can be described only as evil.
The details stunned the public: her face, witnesses said, was left looking like pulp. Even the presiding judge, hardened by years on the bench, was visibly shaken.
And in keeping with our ongoing theme of mothers, in all their forms, today’s 'Further Particulars' story features a curious case from 1894 — a man who took out insurance on his mother-in-law… and nine years later was rather annoyed that she had the audacity to still be alive. Could he get his premium refunded?
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1872: The Victorian Borgia- Lydia Sherman | EP353
https://youtu.be/mHSeZwy02N0
1875: Victorian Strychnine Stories | EP354
https://youtu.be/AziIspnr9KA
1877: Case of the Body in Parts | EP371
https://youtu.be/I2FPE4NrSqE
1878: Murder in Edinburough | EP375
https://youtu.be/zpPiP7C6nuY
1873 - 1898: Crime Tales from The Raj | EP376
https://youtu.be/F_Q1Rw-7bXQ
1874: FRANCE Murderous Mother Daughter Love Triangle | EP377
https://youtu.be/22HllMIaXH4
1877: The Case of Serial Killer Count De Tourville | EP379
https://youtu.be/C-2LGyCAMqw

***
Who are News of the Times?
We are an independent group of historians, researchers , and actor with a passion for historical crime!

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

The Case of The Vengeful Grandmother
News of the Times Episode 489 | 1874
Frances Stewart, 42, lives with her daughter, son-in-law, and their one-year-old child. But life under one roof has become tense. Frances, whispered to have a drinking problem, has worn out her welcome.

The young family makes a decision: they’re moving to new lodgings—and Frances is not coming with them.

What happens next is shocking.

Determined to express her heartbreak in the most devastating way, Frances disappears from the house… taking her infant grandson with her.

Left behind is a chilling note:
“We shall soon be in the water.”

What begins as a suspected abduction quickly unravels into something far more harrowing. Frances is eventually found—but she refuses to reveal where the child is. Not to the authorities. Not even to her own daughter.

Days drag on. There are whispers. Possible sightings. Then—silence.
Until the River Thames speaks.

This tragic case gripped Victorian England and was considered one of the first of its kind.

In this episode, we explore the heartbreaking background, the crime itself, and the dramatic courtroom verdict.

And stay tuned for our “Further Particulars” case, where we leap ahead to 1894—and the astonishing tale of a real live mermaid said to have been caught by accident.
If you're in the United States, you might just find her… at the Smithsonian Museum. We tell the strange and salty story.😉
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history

Patreon: patreon.com/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
YouTube Chronicle of the Times: @chronicleofthetimes2024

EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1872: The Victorian Borgia- Lydia Sherman | EP353
https://youtu.be/mHSeZwy02N0
1875: Victorian Strychnine Stories | EP354
https://youtu.be/AziIspnr9KA
1877: Case of the Body in Parts - The Case of the River Packages | EP371
https://youtu.be/I2FPE4NrSqE
1878: Murder in Edinburough | EP375
https://youtu.be/zpPiP7C6nuY
1873 - 1898: Crime Tales from The Raj | EP376
https://youtu.be/F_Q1Rw-7bXQ
1874: FRANCE Murderous Mother Daughter Love Triangle | EP377
https://youtu.be/22HllMIaXH4
1877: The Case of Serial Killer Count De Tourville | EP379
https://youtu.be/C-2LGyCAMqw

***
Who are News of the Times?
We are an independent group of historians, researchers , and actor with a passion for historical crime!

Unlocking the Vaults of Historical Crime, your gateway to a captivating journey through the darker pages of history. We dive deep into the annals of crime, unearthing forgotten storie

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd