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Intrigue podcast

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Intrigue

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  BBC Radio 4  

Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter's night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch's wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake; she was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police, launched a tabloid war - and - more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Intrigue: 'Jaw dropping', 'gripping', 'bingeable,' 'thrilling' - dramatic true stories and investigations that reveal how the world really works.

Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter's night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch's wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake; she was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police, launched a tabloid war - and - more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Intrigue: 'Jaw dropping', 'gripping', 'bingeable,' 'thrilling' - dramatic true stories and investigations that reveal how the world really works.

 

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#89

Worse than Murder: 7. The Grand Finale

More than half a century after Muriel McKay's abduction and murder, her body has never been found. This final episode explores the various theories about Muriel's fate - from a beach burial to a gruesome disposal on the farm. New information emerges, including a shocking claim from Arthur Hosein about Muriel's burial site. The McKay family continues their desperate search for answers, while grappling with the media's relentless interest in the case. Jane MacSorley reflects on the role of the press in keeping Muriel's story alive and the ethical implications of true crime reporting. Amid the speculation and theories, Muriel's children share poignant memories of their mother, bringing her to life beyond the tragic circumstances of her death. Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso With special thanks to Simon Farquhar, author of 'A Desperate Business: The Murder of Muriel McKay' A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4 ... Read more

02 Sep 2024

29 MINS

29:20

02 Sep 2024

#88

Worse Than Murder: 6. Death Plus

The trial of Arthur and Nizamodeen Hosein for Muriel McKay's murder begins in September 1970. Despite the lack of a body, prosecutors build a strong case using forensic evidence. Nizamodeen makes limited admissions, while Arthur spins wild tales. The brothers are found guilty, but the verdict brings little comfort to the McKay family. For decades, they struggle with unresolved grief and unanswered questions about Muriel's fate. Then, in 2021, Nizamodeen resurfaces in Trinidad, seemingly ready to reveal the truth. The family, desperate for closure, engages with him. Nizamodeen claims Muriel died of a heart attack and indicates where he buried her. His story divides the family – some believe him, others are sceptical. A police search based on his information gets underway... Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso With special thanks to Simon Farquhar, author of 'A Desperate Business: The Murder of Muriel McKay' A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4 ... Read more

26 Aug 2024

28 MINS

28:48

26 Aug 2024

#87

Worse Than Murder: 5. A Sense of Evil

After weeks of dead ends, police finally have a breakthrough in Muriel McKay's kidnapping case. A suspicious blue Volvo leads them to Rooks Farm in rural Hertfordshire. As they raid the property, they find mounting evidence implicating brothers Arthur and Nizamodeen Hosein. But there's still no sign of Muriel herself. As detectives interrogate the brothers, a disturbing picture emerges of their backgrounds and possible motives. Meanwhile, the search of the sprawling farmland intensifies. Police are now certain they won't find Muriel alive, but can they find enough evidence to bring a murder charge without a body? The press descend on the scene, complicating the investigation. As the case builds, the question remains - what has happened to Muriel McKay? Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso With special thanks to Simon Farquhar, author of 'A Desperate Business: The Murder of Muriel McKay' A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4 ... Read more

19 Aug 2024

28 MINS

28:17

19 Aug 2024

#86

Worse Than Murder: 4. Paper Flowers

After weeks of agonising negotiations, Muriel McKay's kidnapper finally agrees to collect a ransom. The police see their chance to catch M3 and rescue Muriel. They devise an elaborate plan, with undercover officers posing as Muriel's family members, to make the drop. Have they finally out-manoeuvred the elusive M3? Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter's night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch's wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso With special thanks to Simon Farquhar, author of 'A Desperate Business: The Murder of Muriel McKay' A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4 ... Read more

12 Aug 2024

28 MINS

28:42

12 Aug 2024

#85

Worse Than Murder: 3. The Waiting Game

Muriel McKay’s kidnapper – who calls himself M3 – has stopped calling, and the McKay family are desperate. They use Alick’s media contacts to keep the story at the forefront of the tabloid press, placing rumours designed to make the kidnappers panic, even getting in touch with a clairvoyant via a family friend. But what the press don’t know is that Muriel McKay was kidnapped by mistake. M3’s real target, he says, was Rupert Murdoch’s wife. Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso With special thanks to Simon Farquhar, author of 'A Desperate Business: The Murder of Muriel McKay' A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4 ... Read more

05 Aug 2024

28 MINS

28:34

05 Aug 2024

#84

Worse Than Murder: 2. Alick, Darling

The day after Muriel McKay is snatched from her home, the police gather all the physical evidence they can, and tabloid reporters crowd the pavements outside the house, trying to get a piece of the action. Muriel’s family are desperately trying to make sense of calls by a mysterious man, M3, who claims he has Muriel, and that he’ll return her if the family delivers him a £1 million ransom. It’s only when he sends them a letter, in Muriel’s own handwriting, that they know for sure he’s the most credible suspect. Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4 ... Read more

29 Jul 2024

28 MINS

28:52

29 Jul 2024

#83

Worse Than Murder: 1. Muriel Is Missing

In December 1969, Alick McKay, an executive at Rupert Murdoch’s News Limited, arrives home to find his wife, Muriel, had vanished without a trace. He calls the police to report her missing, and soon places another call too – this time to the editor of The Sun newspaper, Larry Lamb, a colleague. Lamb’s presence only raises police suspicions - has Muriel really disappeared, or is this just a press set-up, an effort to boost circulation? Then the phone rings. A mysterious man calling himself M3 says that he has taken Muriel McKay and he’s holding her to ransom for £1 million. Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4 ... Read more

15 Jul 2024

28 MINS

28:41

15 Jul 2024

#82

Introducing... Worse Than Murder

Worse Than Murder - A tragic case of mistaken identity that shook Britain and launched a tabloid war. One winter’s night in 1969, kidnappers targeting Rupert Murdoch’s wife abducted Muriel McKay by mistake. She was never seen again. Jane MacSorley investigates this shocking crime which baffled police and, more than 50 years on, remains unresolved. Presented by Jane MacSorley with Simon Farquhar Produced by Nadia Mehdi, with extra production from Paul Russell and Megan Oyinka Sound design and mixing by Basil Oxtoby Story editor: Andrew Dickson Executive producers: Neil Cowling, Michaela Hallam, Jago Lee and Rami Tzabar Development by Paul Russell Voice acting by Red Frederick Original music composed by Richard Atkinson for Mcasso A Fresh Air and Tell Tale production for BBC Radio 4 ... Read more

12 Jul 2024

04 MINS

04:38

12 Jul 2024

#81

To Catch A Scorpion: 9. A Sting In The Tail

Barzan Majeed thought he was safe in Iraq but all that changes following the release of this series. Police and prosecutors in Iraq start their own investigation and before long they announce dramatic developments. For reporter Sue Mitchell, and her colleague, former soldier and aid worker, Rob Lawrie, the news signals possibilities for securing justice for some of those harmed in boat and lorry crossings. This a bonus episode which covers developments following this BBC investigation. In the Kurdish controlled areas of Northern Iraq, Barzan Majeed's smuggling operations come under intense scrutiny. The Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, tells the programme that he hopes for a closer working relationship with Europe when it comes to tackling this problem. He has met with bereaved relatives and seen the pain and loss that comes with migrant journeys at the hands of smugglers like Scorpion. For the UK’s National Crime Agency, the developments signal a real possibility of securing justice for some of the families who have suffered. This is also a chance to progress international links that could result in further arrests. There are other cases like Barzan’s - where smugglers have been tried in their absence by courts in Europe after escaping arrest and returning to Iraq. Those names have now been passed to the authorities in Iraq. To Catch a Scorpion is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4 and is presented and recorded by Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie. The series is produced by Sue Mitchell, Winifred Robinson and Joel Moors The Editor is Philip Sellars Commissioning Editor is Daniel Clarke Assistant Exec Tracy Williams Assistant Commissioner Podcasts/Digital, Will Drysdale Original music is by Mom Tudie and Sound Design is by Tom Brignell ... Read more

10 Jul 2024

31 MINS

31:13

10 Jul 2024

#80

To Catch a Scorpion: Ep 8. The Final Sting

Scorpion has been spotted in Iraq and Sue and Rob head straight there - hoping to find his hiding place and lure him out. Will they finally be able to confront him with his crimes? Barzan Majeed - codenamed Scorpion - leads the Scorpion gang. He's on international most-wanted lists. He started his criminal career in Britain and went on to build a smuggling empire which now spans the globe. An international police surveillance operation trapped more than twenty of his gang and almost netted Scorpion himself, but he was tipped off and escaped. BBC journalist, Sue Mitchell, and former soldier and aid worker, Rob Lawrie, team up to try to do what the police have been unable to achieve: to find Scorpion, to speak to him, to ask him to account for his crimes and to seek justice to those families he has harmed. Their investigation takes them to the heart of an organised criminal gang making millions from transporting thousands of migrants on boat and lorry crossings that in some cases have gone dangerously wrong, causing serious injury and putting lives at risk. They witness his operation in action and record as intense situations unfold, where vulnerable people desperate for a better future, put their lives in the hands of ruthless and dangerous criminals. To Catch a Scorpion is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4 and is presented and recorded by Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie. The series is produced by Sue Mitchell, Winifred Robinson and Joel Moors The Editor is Philip Sellars Commissioning Editor is Daniel Clarke Assistant Exec Tracy Williams Assistant Commissioner Podcasts/Digital, Will Drysdale Original music is by Mom Tudie and Sound Design is by Tom Brignell ... Read more

10 May 2024

40 MINS

40:16

10 May 2024

#79

To Catch a Scorpion: 7. Buried Deep

Sue and Rob uncover new evidence linking Scorpion to deaths at sea. They track him to a luxury seaside villa and hear from a woman close to him about the drugs and money he craved. Barzan Majeed - codenamed Scorpion - leads the Scorpion gang. He's on international most-wanted lists. He started his criminal career in Britain and went on to build a smuggling empire which now spans the globe. An international police surveillance operation trapped more than twenty of his gang and almost netted Scorpion himself, but he was tipped off and escaped. BBC journalist, Sue Mitchell, and former soldier and aid worker, Rob Lawrie, team up to try to do what the police have been unable to achieve: to find Scorpion, to speak to him, to ask him to account for his crimes and to seek justice to those families he has harmed. Their investigation takes them to the heart of an organised criminal gang making millions from transporting thousands of migrants on boat and lorry crossings that in some cases have gone dangerously wrong, causing serious injury and putting lives at risk. They witness his operation in action and record as intense situations unfold, where vulnerable people desperate for a better future, put their lives in the hands of ruthless and dangerous criminals. To Catch a Scorpion is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4 and is presented and recorded by Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie. The series is produced by Sue Mitchell, Winifred Robinson and Joel Moors The Editor is Philip Sellars Commissioning Editor is Daniel Clarke Assistant Exec Tracy Williams Assistant Commissioner Podcasts/Digital, Will Drysdale Original music is by Mom Tudie and Sound Design is by Tom Brignell ... Read more

10 May 2024

37 MINS

37:37

10 May 2024

#78

To Catch a Scorpion: 6. In Our Grasp

Word comes that Scorpion has been spotted in Turkey and new leads take the team into the heart of the smuggling network, with dramatic developments as they stake out an address. Barzan Majeed - codenamed Scorpion - leads the Scorpion gang. He's on international most-wanted lists. He started his criminal career in Britain and went on to build a smuggling empire which now spans the globe. An international police surveillance operation trapped more than twenty of his gang and almost netted Scorpion himself, but he was tipped off and escaped. BBC journalist, Sue Mitchell, and former soldier and aid worker, Rob Lawrie, team up to try to do what the police have been unable to achieve: to find Scorpion, to speak to him, to ask him to account for his crimes and to seek justice to those families he has harmed. Their investigation takes them to the heart of an organised criminal gang making millions from transporting thousands of migrants on boat and lorry crossings that in some cases have gone dangerously wrong, causing serious injury and putting lives at risk. They witness his operation in action and record as intense situations unfold, where vulnerable people desperate for a better future, put their lives in the hands of ruthless and dangerous criminals. To Catch a Scorpion is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4 and is presented and recorded by Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie. The series is produced by Sue Mitchell, Winifred Robinson and Joel Moors The Editor is Philip Sellars Commissioning Editor is Daniel Clarke Commissioning Exec Tracy Williams Assistant Commissioner Podcasts/Digital, Will Drysdale Original music is by Mom Tudie and Sound Design is by Tom Brignell ... Read more

10 May 2024

33 MINS

33:18

10 May 2024

#77

To Catch a Scorpion: 5. A Scorpion's Nest

The search takes us deep into Scorpion's gang and the men arrested and imprisoned for people smuggling and then things take an unexpected turn as we find and confront his brother. Barzan Majeed - codenamed Scorpion - leads the Scorpion gang. He's on international most-wanted lists. He started his criminal career in Britain and went on to build a smuggling empire which now spans the globe. An international police surveillance operation trapped more than twenty of his gang and almost netted Scorpion himself, but he was tipped off and escaped. BBC journalist, Sue Mitchell, and former soldier and aid worker, Rob Lawrie, team up to try to do what the police have been unable to achieve: to find Scorpion, to speak to him, to ask him to account for his crimes and to seek justice to those families he has harmed. Their investigation takes them to the heart of an organised criminal gang making millions from transporting thousands of migrants on boat and lorry crossings that in some cases have gone dangerously wrong, causing serious injury and putting lives at risk. They witness his operation in action and record as intense situations unfold, where vulnerable people desperate for a better future, put their lives in the hands of ruthless and dangerous criminals. To Catch a Scorpion is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4 and is presented and recorded by Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie. The series is produced by Sue Mitchell, Winifred Robinson and Joel Moors The Editor is Philip Sellars Commissioning Editor is Daniel Clarke Commissioning Exec Tracy Williams Assistant Commissioner Podcasts/Digital, Will Drysdale Original music is by Mom Tudie and Sound Design is by Tom Brignell ... Read more

10 May 2024

37 MINS

37:49

10 May 2024

#76

To Catch a Scorpion: 4. Dangerous Meddling

The job of policing smuggling gangs is obstructed by a network of well-wishers who want to help refugees and sometimes end up helping the gangs - has this happened with Scorpion? Barzan Majeed - codenamed Scorpion - leads the Scorpion gang. He's on international most-wanted lists. He started his criminal career in Britain and went on to build a smuggling empire which now spans the globe. An international police surveillance operation trapped more than twenty of his gang and almost netted Scorpion himself, but he was tipped off and escaped. BBC journalist, Sue Mitchell, and volunteer aid worker, Rob Lawrie, team up to try to do what the police have been unable to achieve: to find Scorpion, to speak to him, to ask him to account for his crimes and to seek justice to those families he has harmed. Their investigation takes them to the heart of an organised criminal gang making millions from transporting thousands of migrants on boat and lorry crossings that in some cases have gone dangerously wrong, causing serious injury and putting lives at risk. They witness his operation in action and record as intense situations unfold, where vulnerable people desperate for a better future, put their lives in the hands of ruthless and dangerous criminals. To Catch a Scorpion is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4 and is presented and recorded by Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie. The series is produced by Sue Mitchell, Winifred Robinson and Joel Moors The Editor is Philip Sellars Commissioning Editor is Daniel Clarke Commissioning Exec Tracy Williams Assistant Commissioner Podcasts/Digital, Will Drysdale Original music is by Mom Tudie and Sound Design is by Tom Brignell ... Read more

10 May 2024

35 MINS

35:52

10 May 2024

#75

To Catch a Scorpion: 3. Satisfaction Guaranteed

It's already late when the BBC team get a tip off that Scorpion's network of complicit lorry drivers might be operating from a new pick-up point. They stay hidden as events unfold. Barzan Majeed - codenamed Scorpion - leads the Scorpion gang. He's on international most-wanted lists. He started his criminal career in Britain and went on to build a smuggling empire which now spans the globe. An international police surveillance operation trapped more than 20 of his gang and almost netted Scorpion himself, but he was tipped off and escaped. BBC journalist, Sue Mitchell, and former soldier and aid worker, Rob Lawrie, team up to try to do what the police have been unable to achieve: to find Scorpion, to speak to him, to ask him to account for his crimes and to seek justice to those families he has harmed. Their investigation takes them to the heart of an organised criminal gang making millions from transporting thousands of migrants on boat and lorry crossings that in some cases have gone dangerously wrong, causing serious injury and putting lives at risk. They witness his operation in action and record as intense situations unfold, where vulnerable people desperate for a better future, put their lives in the hands of ruthless and dangerous criminals. To Catch a Scorpion is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4 and is presented and recorded by Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie. The series is produced by Sue Mitchell, Winifred Robinson and Joel Moors The Editor is Philip Sellars Commissioning Editor is Daniel Clarke Commissioning Exec Tracy Williams Assistant Commissioner Podcasts/Digital, Will Drysdale Original music is by Mom Tudie and Sound Design is by Tom Brignell ... Read more

03 May 2024

32 MINS

32:40

03 May 2024

#74

To Catch a Scorpion: 2. Trading in People

Sue and Rob hear transcripts of police surveillance tapes, broadcast for the first time as officers eavesdrop on calls between members of the Scorpion people smuggling gang. Barzan Majeed - codenamed Scorpion - leads the Scorpion gang. He's on international most-wanted lists. He started his criminal career in Britain and went on to build a smuggling empire which now spans the globe. An international police surveillance operation trapped more than 20 of his gang and almost netted Scorpion himself, but he was tipped off and escaped. BBC journalist, Sue Mitchell, and former soldier and aid worker, Rob Lawrie, team up to try to do what the police have been unable to achieve: to find Scorpion, to speak to him, to ask him to account for his crimes and to seek justice to those families he has harmed. Their investigation takes them to the heart of an organised criminal gang making millions from transporting thousands of migrants on boat and lorry crossings that in some cases have gone dangerously wrong, causing serious injury and putting lives at risk. They witness his operation in action and record as intense situations unfold, where vulnerable people desperate for a better future, put their lives in the hands of ruthless and dangerous criminals. To Catch a Scorpion is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4 and is presented and recorded by Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie. The series is produced by Sue Mitchell, Winifred Robinson and Joel Moors The Editor is Philip Sellars Commissioning Editor is Daniel Clarke Commissioning Exec Tracy Williams Assistant Commissioner Podcasts/Digital, Will Drysdale Original music is by Mom Tudie and Sound Design is by Tom Brignell ... Read more

03 May 2024

30 MINS

30:41

03 May 2024

#73

To Catch a Scorpion: 1. Dangerous Journeys

This is the hunt for a people smuggler, codenamed Scorpion, one of the central characters controlling the transport of migrants from the European mainland into the UK. It is a tense and disturbing investigation, recorded as it happened, in real time. Barzan Majeed - codenamed Scorpion - leads the Scorpion gang. He's on international most-wanted lists. He started his criminal career in Britain and went on to build a smuggling empire which now spans the globe. An international police surveillance operation trapped more than 20 of his gang and almost netted Scorpion himself, but he was tipped off and escaped. BBC journalist Sue Mitchell, and former soldier and aid worker, Rob Lawrie, team up to try to do what the police have been unable to achieve: to find Scorpion, to speak to him, to ask him to account for his crimes and to seek justice for those families he has harmed. Their investigation takes them to the heart of an organised criminal gang making millions from transporting thousands of migrants on boat and lorry crossings that in some cases have gone dangerously wrong, causing serious injury and putting lives at risk. They witness his operation in action and record as intense situations unfold, where vulnerable people desperate for a better future, put their lives in the hands of ruthless and dangerous criminals. As they edge ever closer they meet the people helping and supporting Scorpion, they unpick the financial side of his business funding his luxury life, they start to understand the man himself and to garner enough clues to trace his whereabouts. To Catch a Scorpion is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4 and is presented and recorded by Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie. The series is produced by Sue Mitchell, Winifred Robinson and Joel Moors The Editor is Philip Sellars Commissioning Editor is Daniel Clarke Commissioning Exec Tracy Williams Assistant Commissioner Podcasts/Digital, Will Drysdale Original music is by Mom Tudie and Sound Design is by Tom Brignell ... Read more

03 May 2024

34 MINS

34:34

03 May 2024

#72

Introducing... To Catch A Scorpion

The dramatic hunt for one of Europe's most-wanted people smugglers, recorded as it unfolds. BBC journalist, Sue Mitchell, and ex-soldier and aid worker, Rob Lawrie, go on a search for a crime boss: a people smuggler on the run, whose codename is Scorpion. He is one of the central characters controlling the transport of migrants from the European mainland into the UK. Barzan Majeed - codenamed Scorpion - leads the Scorpion gang. He's on international most-wanted lists. He started his criminal career in Britain and went on to build a smuggling empire which now spans the globe. An international police surveillance operation trapped more than 20 of his gang and almost netted Scorpion himself, but he was tipped off and escaped. Sue and Rob, two seasoned investigators, team up to try to do what the police have been unable to achieve: to find Scorpion, to speak to him, to ask him to account for his crimes and to seek justice for the families he has harmed. Their investigation takes them to the heart of an organised criminal gang making millions from transporting thousands of migrants on boat and lorry crossings that in some cases have gone dangerously wrong, causing serious injury and putting lives at risk. They witness his operation in action and record as intense situations unfold, where vulnerable people desperate for a better future, put their lives in the hands of ruthless and dangerous criminals. As they edge ever closer, they meet the people helping and supporting Scorpion and unpick the financial side of his business funding his luxury life. As they start to understand the man himself, can they garner enough clues to trace his whereabouts? To Catch a Scorpion is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4 and is presented and recorded by Sue Mitchell and Rob Lawrie. The series is produced by Sue Mitchell, Winifred Robinson and Joel Moors The Editor is Philip Sellars Commissioning Editor is Daniel Clarke Commissioning Exec Tracy Williams Assistant Commissioner Podcasts/Digital, Will Drysdale Original music is by Mom Tudie and Sound Design is by Tom Brignell Brignell ... Read more

26 Apr 2024

02 MINS

02:57

26 Apr 2024

#71

Million Dollar Lover: 10. Final Plot

In this last programme of the series, the community of Cayucos is watching on and wondering how things will develop. Is there a way to handle a situation like this, where homelessness and wealth collide. Where a damaged man and a frail older woman come together to share a life? The unusual romance between Dave and Carolyn captured the attention of the BBC Journalist Sue Mitchell as it was unfolding on her street. She spends a lot of time in California, she married an American and her award-winning journalism has been about the lives of people like Dave who inhabit the dangerous margins of society. New episodes will be released on Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. If you’re in the UK, listen to the latest full series of Intrigue first on BBC Sounds. https://bbc.in/3WEQS5W Million Dollar Lover is produced at BBC Audio by the team behind The Boy in the Woods and is presented by Sue Mitchell. The series is scripted by Winifred Robinson; the producers are Sue Mitchell and Joel Moors; the dramaturg is Flo Dessau and sound design is by Tom Brignall. The editor is Philip Sellars. With special thanks to BBC Radio 4's Commissioning Editor Daniel Clarke. ... Read more

21 Dec 2023

36 MINS

36:30

21 Dec 2023

#70

Million Dollar Lover: 9. Missing You

With Carolyn’s daughters powerless to act, it looks like Dave might be on the brink of a receiving a small fortune from his 80 year old lover, Carolyn. She has promised to take care of him and says that he is the best thing to happen in her life. Her daughters do not believe she is in her right mind, but they cannot find anyone prepared to help them. It is shaping up for a distressing battle when suddenly events take a turn for the worse. The unusual romance between Dave and Carolyn captured the attention of the BBC Journalist Sue Mitchell as it was unfolding on her street. She spends a lot of time in California, she married an American and her award-winning journalism has been about the lives of people like Dave who inhabit the dangerous margins of society. New episodes will be released on Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. If you’re in the UK, listen to the latest full series of Intrigue first on BBC Sounds. https://bbc.in/3WEQS5W Million Dollar Lover is produced by R&M Production, the team behind The Boy in the Woods and is presented by Sue Mitchell. The series is scripted by Winifred Robinson; the producers are Sue Mitchell and Joel Moors; the dramaturg is Flo Dessau and sound design is by Tom Brignall ... Read more

21 Dec 2023

34 MINS

34:31

21 Dec 2023

#69

Million Dollar Lover: 8. Taking Control

Things are reaching a head as worries grow about Carolyn’s decision to sell two houses, on a single plot. One of the houses is home to her grandson and his family and Carolyn does not appear to be totally sure about her decision. Her daughters are so concerned that they approach the estate agent begging him to stop things. If he does not and the sale goes ahead, Dave could be looking at a sizeable amount of money being transferred into his name. Carolyn’s daughters could be seeing their worst nightmares coming true. And a homeless man who rode into Cayucos on a bike could soon be on the brink of achieving the sort of stability he could never have dreamed of. The relationship between Dave and Carolyn captured the attention of the BBC Journalist Sue Mitchell as it was unfolding on her street. She spends a lot of time in California, she married an American and her award-winning journalism has been about the lives of people like Dave who inhabit the dangerous margins of society. New episodes will be released on Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. If you’re in the UK, listen to the latest full series of Intrigue first on BBC Sounds. https://bbc.in/3WEQS5W Million Dollar Lover is produced at BBC Audio by the team behind The Boy in the Woods and is presented by Sue Mitchell. The series is scripted by Winifred Robinson; the producers are Sue Mitchell and Joel Moors; the dramaturg is Flo Dessau and sound design is by Tom Brignall. The series Editor is Philip Sellars ... Read more

14 Dec 2023

36 MINS

36:08

14 Dec 2023

#68

Million Dollar Lover: 7. Hidden Lives

In the idyllic seaside town of Cayucos, on the Californian coast, property is expensive, a home here can easily cost a million dollars or more. The property boom which has made people of Carolyn’s generation well off, has priced so many out of the market and made it expensive to rent. There is a growing problem with homelessness, a world that Dave knows well. Even now that he is living with Carolyn he has not cut his ties with the homeless and is determined to help when he can. When Dave returns to Riverside, on the outskirts of Los Angeles, he visits some of the friends he lived alongside on the river bottom. There are tarpaulin covers stretching for miles, largely hidden by the trees and it is down there that we meet Rebecca. She is a crystal meth addict and offers him the pipe: he has made so much of leaving this world behind, but has he really? In that same visit he goes back to the Gavilan mountains, a spaghetti Western landscape that is sun scorched and inhospitable. It was here that Dave lived with a famous Hollywood actress. A story which hardly seems true but which is and one which quickly raises new worries about Carolyn’s safety at his hands. The relationship between Dave and Carolyn captured the attention of the BBC Journalist Sue Mitchell, an investigative journalist who reports on the lives of people like Dave who inhabit the dangerous margins of society. New episodes will be released on Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. If you’re in the UK, listen to the latest full series of Intrigue first on BBC Sounds. https://bbc.in/3WEQS5W The series is scripted by Winifred Robinson; the producers are Sue Mitchell and Joel Moors; the dramaturg is Flo Dessau and sound design is by Tom Brignall ... Read more

14 Dec 2023

34 MINS

34:39

14 Dec 2023

#67

Million Dollar Lover: 6. Unforgettable

At first glance Carolyn appears to be a lucky woman who has led a charmed life: loved by her husband and daughters – prosperous and secure. But she has endured great hardship and in this episode it becomes a bit easier to understand why she initially felt so drawn to Dave and what he has come to represent in her life. For his part, Dave is reluctant to dwell on his childhood, but he undoubtedly had a difficult start in life. Some of that damage has since been repeated in the lives of his children and grandchildren. As the bond between Carolyn and Dave deepens, she is clear about wanting to protect his future by helping him financially. Relationships in your later years are never going to be plain sailing: there are usually long established patterns, and problems to contend with. Carolyn is on her own with these now that her daughters have been pushed to the side-lines of her life. She is struggling to drive at night and to do her tax returns and she is increasingly frustrated with Dave’s drinking and socialising The story captured the attention of the BBC Journalist Sue Mitchell as it was unfolding on her street. She spends a lot of time in California, she married an American and her award-winning journalism has been about the lives of people like Dave who inhabit the dangerous margins of society. New episodes will be released on Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. If you’re in the UK, listen to the latest full series of Intrigue first on BBC Sounds. https://bbc.in/3WEQS5W Million Dollar Lover is produced at BBC Audio by the team behind The Boy in the Woods and is presented by Sue Mitchell. The series is scripted by Winifred Robinson; the producers are Sue Mitchell and Joel Moors; the dramaturg is Flo Dessau and sound design is by Tom Brignall ... Read more

07 Dec 2023

36 MINS

36:02

07 Dec 2023

#66

Million Dollar Lover: 5. Family Fortunes

With Carolyn’s encouragement, Dave is making more effort to see his children, including his daughter, Cody. Like her Dad, Cody has struggled with crystal meth addiction and is sometimes sleeping rough in her car as she waits for a place in a recovery unit. She longs for her Dad’s love, but she has been let down by him in the past and cannot really trust that he has changed In this episode BBC Journalist, Sue Mitchell, goes with Dave to Riverside, on the outskirts of Los Angeles. This is where Dave has spent a lot of his life and on a walk at a local landmark he discloses that it is also where he was locked up following a violent attack. As more secrets from his past emerge Sue catches glimpses of Dave’s anger and of his more sinister side. The revelations go to the heart of the question everyone in Cayucos is asking: is Dave really a tender carer who will cherish Carolyn to the end as he promises, or is he a dangerous interloper who will fleece Carolyn – breaking her heart and her family? New episodes will be released on Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. If you’re in the UK, listen to the latest full series of Intrigue first on BBC Sounds. https://bbc.in/3WEQS5W Million Dollar Lover is produced at BBC Audio by the team behind The Boy in the Woods and is presented by Sue Mitchell. The series is scripted by Winifred Robinson; the producers are Sue Mitchell and Joel Moors; the dramaturg is Flo Dessau and sound design is by Tom Brignall ... Read more

07 Dec 2023

38 MINS

38:12

07 Dec 2023

#65

Million Dollar Lover: 4. Rewards of Love

One of the consequences of the family falling out about Dave is that Carolyn has decided to take back control of her bank accounts from her daughter, Sally, who had always helped her Mum in the past. Carolyn’s daughters fear that she will start giving money to Dave and that there is nothing they can do about it. In the early days of the relationship, the daughters had got Carolyn and Dave to sign a legal agreement protecting her money and properties. But now they fear that the pair have effectively ripped up that agreement, which they are perfectly entitled to do. Could this be the start of the nightmare scenario they have been dreading ever since Dave moved into the family home? There is a childlike quality in Carolyn when it comes to Dave that does make her vulnerable. She guards him as if he is some kind of rare treasure and when he is out late drinking with friends, she sometimes sets out in the dark to find him. Her neighbour Marie, who cares for more than a dozen wealthy old women in Cayucos, says it is something she sees a lot. Marie warned Carolyn about Dave, but to no avail and soon she is pushed to the side-lines of Carolyn's life, powerless to act. With people in this idyllic Californian community left wondering whether Dave really a tender carer who will cherish Carolyn to the end as he promises, or is he a dangerous interloper who will fleece Carolyn – breaking her heart and her family? New episodes will be released on Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. If you’re in the UK, listen to the latest full series of Intrigue first on BBC Sounds. https://bbc.in/3WEQS5W It is presented by Sue Mitchell and scripted by Winifred Robinson. It's produced by Sue Mitchell and Joel Moors; the dramaturg is Flo Dessau and sound design is by Tom Brignall ... Read more

30 Nov 2023

32 MINS

32:29

30 Nov 2023

#64

Million Dollar Lover: 3. The Fight

Carolyn is facing mounting opposition to her relationship with Dave, who is 23 years younger than her and a world away in terms of wealth and lifestyle. She is being forced to make the most difficult choice possible: between her daughters and her new lover. The situation becomes so heated that it finally erupts into violence. Opposition to Dave makes Carolyn more determined to support him and she decides to take back control of her finances from her daughters. They fear she is showing signs of mental incapacity and want her to agree to be tested, but Carolyn is digging her heels in and is adamant that she can make her own decisions The situation is escalating really quickly, with her daughters are increasingly on the side-lines - powerless to act. They have huge concerns about Dave, who has a long criminal record and was homeless and addicted to the drug, Crystal Meth. They cannot get their Mum to listen and as long as she says she is happy, there appears to be nothing that they can do. Million Dollar Lover is an unlikely love story, recorded over a year as the relationship unfolds between Carolyn, who is 80 and has a valuable property portfolio, and Dave, 57, who arrives in the idyllic Californian resort of Cayucos by chance and quickly decides to make it his home New episodes will be released on Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. If you’re in the UK, listen to the latest full series of Intrigue first on BBC Sounds. https://bbc.in/3WEQS5W Million Dollar Lover is produced at BBC Audio by the team behind The Boy in the Woods and is presented by Sue Mitchell. The series is scripted by Winifred Robinson; the producers are Sue Mitchell and Joel Moors; the dramaturg is Flo Dessau and sound design is by Tom Brignall. ... Read more

30 Nov 2023

31 MINS

31:35

30 Nov 2023

#63

Million Dollar Lover: 2. A Lady Never Tells

Carolyn had not expected to fall in love at 80 and certainly not to someone 23 years younger. But she has embraced all aspects of her new relationship, including having sex and being open with her daughters about that. Her honesty has not gone down well and even her Pastor, Dale James, is shocked that the couple are now living together in this way. Concerned about the speed of the relationship and the direction it's taking, Carolyn's daughters turn to the police and outside agencies for help. They believe their Mum is in the early stages of dementia, but her GP did not support their diagnosis and now Carolyn will not go back for further tests. Their options for stopping Dave taking control of their Mum's life appear to be limited and they fear what might happen. Million Dollar Lover is an unlikely love story, recorded over a year as the relationship unfolds between Carolyn, who has a valuable property portfolio, and Dave, a former drug addict who was homeless and has a long criminal record. Soon everyone is asking whether he is really a tender carer or a dangerous interloper who will fleece her – breaking her heart and her family? New episodes will be released on Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. If you’re in the UK, listen to the latest full series of Intrigue first on BBC Sounds. https://bbc.in/3WEQS5W Million Dollar Lover is produced at BBC Audio by the team behind The Boy in the Woods and is presented by Sue Mitchell. The series is scripted by Winifred Robinson; the producers are Sue Mitchell and Joel Moors; the dramaturg is Flo Dessau and sound design is by Tom Brignall. ... Read more

23 Nov 2023

31 MINS

31:22

23 Nov 2023

#62

Million Dollar Lover: 1. Stranger in Town

Million Dollar Lover is an unlikely love story, recorded in real time as the relationship unfolds between Carolyn, who is 80 and has a valuable property portfolio, and Dave, 57, a former drug addict who is homeless and has spent a decade in jail. The story captured the attention of the BBC Journalist Sue Mitchell, as it was unfolding on her street. She spends a lot of time in California – she married an American and her award-winning journalism has been about the lives of people like Dave who inhabit the dangerous margins of society. There are so many homeless people in America that the wealthy can no longer avoid contact with them. When Dave arrives in Cayucos, a charming beach town, prosperous and sunny all year round, he goes to church. Some people there try to help him find work and recommend him to Carolyn as an odd job man. She falls in love with him and within a fortnight, Dave has moved in. Is Dave really a tender carer who will cherish Carolyn to the end as he promises, or is he a dangerous interloper who will fleece Carolyn – breaking her heart and her family? New episodes will be released on Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. But if you’re in the UK, listen to the latest full series of Intrigue first on BBC Sounds. https://bbc.in/3WEQS5W Million Dollar Lover is produced at BBC Audio by the team behind The Boy in the Woods and is presented by Sue Mitchell. The series is scripted by Winifred Robinson; the producers are Sue Mitchell and Joel Moors; the dramaturg is Flo Dessau and sound design is by Tom Brignall. The editor is Philip Sellars. ... Read more

23 Nov 2023

29 MINS

29:22

23 Nov 2023

#61

Introducing... Million Dollar Lover

Million Dollar Lover is an unlikely love story, recorded in real time as the relationship unfolds between Carolyn, who is 80 and has properties worth a few million dollars, and Dave, 57, a former drug addict who is homeless and has spent a decade in jail. The story captured the attention of the BBC Journalist Sue Mitchell, as it was unfolding on her street. She spends a lot of time in California – she married an American and her award-winning journalism has been about the lives of people like Dave who inhabit the dangerous margins of society. There are so many homeless people in America that the wealthy can no longer avoid contact with them. When Dave arrives in Cayucos, a charming beach town, prosperous and sunny all year round, he goes to church. Some people there try to help him find work and recommend him to Carolyn as an odd job man. She falls in love with him and within a fortnight, Dave has moved in. Dave is a talented man – a skilled joiner and musician who makes and sells jewellery. With Carolyn’s support, he is ambitions for his future. He appears to be thriving and so does she. But she is vulnerable following the death of her husband. Her family fear she is showing signs of cognitive decline and she certainly struggles to manage her finances. She also yearns to feel the love that comes from a romantic relationship and to feel needed again. Her neighbour, Marie, says it is something she sees a lot amongst the elderly people she cares for; it is a desire to be loved and to be in love which does not diminish with age. Marie cautions Carolyn against rushing into a relationship with Dave, but it is too late. Soon Marie is left watching from the side-lines as Carolyn starts cutting off friends and relatives who question her. Her middle-aged daughters are increasingly worried for their Mum and for the money they expected to inherit from her; a property portfolio which their parents and grandparents had built up over the years. They fear Dave might be taking advantage of Carolyn and ask her to be assessed for mental incapacity: it seems the only explanation they can find for why she has fallen so deeply under his spell. Sue Michell is a skilled investigator who uncovers horrors in Dave’s past that he has never mentioned to a living soul. She also brings her knowledge of elder abuse and exposes how the process of ageing makes subtle changes that can alter how we see others - particularly strangers who seem loving, young, and strong. Is Dave really a tender carer who will cherish Carolyn to the end as he promises, or is he a dangerous interloper who will fleece Carolyn – breaking her heart and her family? New episodes will be released on Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts. But if you’re in the UK, listen to the latest full series of Intrigue first on BBC Sounds. https://bbc.in/3WEQS5W Million Dollar Lover is produced by BBC Audio, the team behind The Boy in the Woods and is presented by Sue Mitchell. The series is scripted by Winifred Robinson; the producers are Sue Mitchell and Joel Moors; the dramaturg is Flo Dessau and sound design is by Tom Brignall. The series Editor is Philip Sellars ... Read more

17 Nov 2023

03 MINS

03:15

17 Nov 2023