Episodes

  • New York Murder of John Lennon | When Media Is Blamed for Violence

    New York Murder of John Lennon | When Media Is Blamed for Violence
    Jan 7 2026
    The 1980 murder of John Lennon in New York shocked the world, but what followed raised uncomfortable questions that continue to surface after acts of extreme violence. In this video, we examine the murder and the intense focus placed on The Catcher in the Rye, the book carried by his killer, Mark David Chapman. We explore how quickly media attention shifted from the crime itself to the idea that books, films, and popular culture can influence real-world violence, and whether that connection stands up to scrutiny. We also discuss wider examples of media being blamed after shocking crimes, from moral panics around horror films and the UK’s “video nasties”, to the lasting myths surrounding the murder of James Bulger. Alongside celebrity murders and high-profile cases, we look at how fame, cultural fear, and public outrage can shape the way violence is explained - often diverting attention away from mental health, obsession, and warning signs that go ignored. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • UK True Crime in 2026: Major Trials, Justice Delays, and Cases to Watch

    UK True Crime in 2026: Major Trials, Justice Delays, and Cases to Watch
    Dec 31 2025
    As 2025 draws to a close, attention is already turning to the major UK true crime trials and justice system developments expected in 2026, alongside growing concern that justice in some of the country’s most serious cases is taking far too long to arrive. In this video, we look ahead to the trials and investigations likely to dominate headlines next year. We examine upcoming court cases, politically sensitive prosecutions, and long-running investigations that raise difficult questions about accountability, fairness, and whether justice delayed has effectively become justice denied. We also discuss proposed reforms to the criminal justice system and what they could mean for the future of jury trials, reflect on which unresolved cases could see developments in 2026, and examine how true crime storytelling continues to evolve across podcasts, YouTube, television, and social media. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Bad Santas: Christmas Crimes and Festive Offences Across the UK

    Bad Santas: Christmas Crimes and Festive Offences Across the UK
    Dec 24 2025
    Christmas crime in the UK doesn’t stop just because it’s the festive season. In this Christmas Eve episode of True Crime Catch Up, we explore real UK cases involving so-called “Bad Santas”, Christmas Eve burglaries, and festive-season offences where people dressed as Santa committed crimes around the holidays. This relaxed roundup-style episode examines why crime often increases at Christmas, how offenders exploit seasonal routines and celebrations, and the impact these crimes have on victims. While lighter in tone than our usual episodes, this conversation is a reminder that festive crime is still serious, and that awareness matters - even at Christmas. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • One Punch Killings at Christmas: When Xmas Parties Turn Deadly

    One Punch Killings at Christmas: When Xmas Parties Turn Deadly
    Dec 17 2025
    Christmas parties are meant to be a time to unwind - a few drinks, familiar faces, and a break from the everyday routine - but the festive season also brings real and often overlooked dangers. In this video, we explore the deadly reality of one-punch killings, where a split-second act of violence can end one life and permanently destroy another. We examine how these incidents typically unfold on nights out, the role alcohol plays, and whether sentencing for one-punch manslaughter truly reflects the harm caused. We also look at other risks that spike during the festive period, including fake taxi drivers and drink spiking. From offenders impersonating licensed cabbies to gain trust, to the growing number of spiking cases that never result in charges, we break down the methods used, the legal challenges involved, and the devastating impact on victims. Alongside real cases, we discuss prevention, public awareness and personal safety - asking whether more can be done to stop these crimes before tragedy strikes. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • Facial Recognition Technology: Is the UK Becoming a Surveillance State?

    Facial Recognition Technology: Is the UK Becoming a Surveillance State?
    Dec 10 2025
    Facial recognition technology is expanding fast across the UK - from police vans and high streets to pubs, stadiums, and even private doorbell cameras - and many are asking whether we’re stepping into a world George Orwell warned us about decades ago. In this video, we break down what the UK Government’s new facial-recognition plans actually mean, why police forces are being encouraged to ramp up live and retrospective scanning, and how public opinion has shifted as the technology becomes impossible to avoid. We explore the accuracy concerns, the bias warnings, and the growing fear that innocent people could be misidentified in real time. We also look at the debate around prevention vs reaction: can facial recognition genuinely stop violent crimes before they happen, or does it only identify offenders after tragedy has already unfolded? With comparisons to 1984 and Big Brother, rising privacy concerns, and new government pledges to expand biometrics nationwide, this episode asks whether increased surveillance is making us safer - or simply more watched. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Liverpool FC Victory Parade Car Attack: Paul Doyle Pleads Guilty

    Liverpool FC Victory Parade Car Attack: Paul Doyle Pleads Guilty
    Dec 3 2025
    A moment of celebration on May 26, 2025, turned into a scene of chaos, and now Paul Doyle - the man behind the Liverpool FC victory parade car assault - has finally pleaded guilty. In this episode, we break down exactly what happened that day, why more than 130 people were injured as Doyle’s car ploughed into the crowds, and what his guilty plea means for the victims, the city of Liverpool, and the upcoming sentencing. We also look at Justice Secretary David Lammy’s proposal to scrap juries for anything other than the most “serious” crimes, the rise in road-rage incidents across the UK, and the growing reality that footage of terror attacks reaches social media within minutes, forcing survivors to relive traumatic events through viral clips. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • The Dark Side of Black Friday: Scams, Fraud & Staying Safe

    The Dark Side of Black Friday: Scams, Fraud & Staying Safe
    Nov 26 2025
    Is Black Friday a harmless shopping event or the most dangerous time of year for scammers to strike? In this episode, we dig into why Black Friday has become a prime opportunity for criminals — from fake retail websites and phishing emails to delivery text scams, marketplace fraud, and “too good to be true” deals designed to empty your bank account. We break down how scammers operate, why fraud spikes every November, and the psychological tricks that make shoppers more vulnerable. We also explore the origins of Black Friday, how it spread to the UK, and the retail tactics that blur the line between marketing and manipulation. Plus, we share practical tips to help you stay safe, avoid common traps, and shop smarter this Black Friday. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • UK Auditors: Harmless Trend or Serious Problem? | Plus This Week's UK Headlines & True Crime Talk

    UK Auditors: Harmless Trend or Serious Problem? | Plus This Week's UK Headlines & True Crime Talk
    Nov 19 2025
    Are “auditors” harmless content creators or a growing problem on our streets in 2025? In this episode, we dive into the rise of YouTube and TikTok auditors - the confrontational filming trend blowing up across the UK. We break down why these channels are exploding, the ethics behind rage-bait content, and the real-world consequences for staff, security guards, and the public. We also explore the legal grey areas around public filming, drone use, privacy concerns, and why these videos spark such divided opinions online. Plus, we dig into the link between e-bikes and crime, surprising safety risks, and the stories behind recent e-bike-related deaths. Follow True Crime Catch Up on ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠social media⁠⁠⁠ Listen to our solo podcasts: ⁠British Murders with Stuart Blues⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠UK True Crime Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins