The murder of Olly Stephens

How Covid is affecting the world of court and crime

In Episode five of the Thames Valley a court and crime podcast, Tom talks us through a disturbing trial he covered at Oxford Crown Court where a man was charged with murdering his mother having killed her in the most gruesome of ways. Listener discretion is advised - this one is not for the faint hearted. In the second part of the podcast, George and Ollie discuss Covid and its impact on the court system in the Thames Valley.

Guns held to the head and a pizza a day: the terrifying life of a drug gang slave

This week's podcast is casts a light on the harrowing life of a drug gang slave, as we hear from reporter Tom Seaward the words of a young man forced to do unspeakable things at the order of a mysterious drug dealer known only as 'M'. The panel also discuss the outcomes of recent murder trials in Reading, and hear about the peculiar story of a man who threatened to blow up his ex-girlfriend's car in Buckinghamshire.

Library workers accused of being lesbian lovers

In the third episode of the Thames Valley Court and Crime Podcast, Tom, Ollie and George talk about a bizarre harassment trial in Bucks in which a woman stood accused of harassing two library workers she accused of being lesbian lovers, a story about a man found with a knife on a bus after he fell asleep in Oxfordshire on his way to the police station, and the latest on three murder trials currently taking place at Reading Crown Court

Oxfordshire plagued by a series of stabbings

Welcome to the second episode of the Thames Valley Court and Crime podcast. Ollie Sirrell and George Roberts are joined by Tom Seaward this week, the court and crime reporter for the Oxford Mail, who fills us in on a spate of stabbings that have taken place across Oxfordshire over the past few weeks. The panel then discuss some of the more light-hearted stories of the week, including a man who was jailed for calling 999, and a naked cyclist who has been upsetting locals.

The murder of Olly Stephens

Hello and welcome to the first ever Thames Valley Court and Crime podcast from Newsquest. In this episode, Ollie Sirrell (court and crime reporter for Berkshire) and George Roberts (court and crime reporter for Buckinghamshire) discuss the tragic murder of 13-year-old Olly Stephens, a story they both covered. They explore the events that led to Olly’s death, discuss the murderers, talk about a major moment in their trial that almost led to its collapse, and hear from Thames Valley Police lead investigator Andy Howard and Olly’s parents Stuart and Amanda. Ollie and George also talk about a few of the lighter stories they have worked on in recent weeks, including a steak thief and a man named Justice who was sentenced at Reading Crown Court. And in the last segment they preview upcoming court cases you need to know about.