For decades, the brutal murders of Christine Eadie and Helen Scott haunted Edinburgh—a case frozen in time, known only by a name: The World’s End Murders. But Angus Sinclair’s dark history stretched far beyond that infamous night. From early violent offences in Glasgow to a trail of suspected killings across Scotland, Sinclair operated in plain sight for over 40 years. In this episode, we follow the cold case breakthroughs, forensic revolutions, and legal reforms that finally unmasked one of the UK’s most elusive serial predators. How many victims were there? And why did justice take so long?

https://linktr.ee/MurderMostBritish

Sources

• High Court of Justiciary (Appeal Court) — Sinclair v HM Advocate [2016] HCJAC 24 (24 Mar 2016): appeal against sentence refused; 37-year punishment part upheld.

• Law Society of Scotland (Mar 2014): “High Court releases ‘World’s End’ double jeopardy ruling” — decision paved the way for Sinclair’s retrial under the 2011 Act.

• The Guardian (14 Nov 2014): “Serial rapist Angus Sinclair found guilty of 1977 World’s End murders” — conviction at Livingston; minimum term 37 years.

• ITV News (14 Nov 2014): “Convicted killer Angus Sinclair jailed for 37 years for World’s End murders” — sentencing coverage and context.

• The Scotsman (14 Nov 2014): “World’s End trial: Angus Sinclair guilty of murders” — verdict report.

• The Guardian (11 Mar 2019): “World’s End serial killer Angus Sinclair dies in jail aged 73.”

• Scottish Parliament Official Report (13 Sep 2007): debate remarks after the 2007 “no case to answer” ruling (trial context pre-law reform).

• Scottish Law Commission (2021) discussion paper note: references Sinclair’s 37-year term as (then) the longest punishment part imposed.

• Police Scotland — FOI Disclosure Log (May 2024): entries referencing materials held on Operation Trinity (World’s End investigation).

• Tom Wood & David Johnston — The World’s End Murders: The Final Verdict (Birlinn; updated eds. 2008–2015): long-form account by senior investigators/journalist