Crime Next Door

It’s the mid 1990s. On the Raploch estate in Stirling, a local community is living in fear. This is a place with many young families, and word is spreading that a convicted paedophile is living among them, placed there anonymously by the local council.Residents worry the streets are no longer safe for their kids, and outraged they weren’t told or consulted.It’s an outrage felt beyond the Raploch estate, and it doesn’t take long for a name and address to find its way into the public domain. Armed with this information, the Raploch rises – as a mob, led by Margaret Haney, known locally as Big Mags. An imposing matriarch, charismatic with a voice like gravel, she’s more than happy to take on the authorities and speak to the media. She becomes a figurehead and spokesperson for a movement devoted to driving the ex-offender out of the area.She succeeds, but for the Big Mags, that that’s just the start, and as her campaign continues, the media become obsessed with this diamond in the rough.She’s on TV. In the papers. Becomes something of a celebrity.Big Mags is always good for a soundbite, and she in turn, seems to enjoy the attention. She doesn’t know it now, but she’s made a huge mistake.As Big Mags has secrets of her own. It’s not that long ago that one of the most serious problems faced by the Raploch Estate were the Haney family themselves.And as Big Mags enjoys the glare of media attention, she will all too soon regret grabbing the limelight. Her 15 minutes of fame will soon become little more than a chapter within in a legacy of infamy. This is the Ballad of Big Mags.Presenter: Myles Bonnar Written by: Chris Cruickshank, Marisha Currie, Myles Bonnar and Graham Russell Additional Scripting: Jack Kibble-White Producer: Chris Cruickshank Assistant Producer: Marrisha Currie Executive Producers: Graham Russell, Susie Crumless Sound Design and Mixing: Fraser Jackson Commissioning Editor: Heather Kane-DarlingA BBC Scotland production for BBC Sounds

Dr Abdul Shakoor lost his wife and five children in a house fire in Harlow, Essex.He shares his shock at the discoveries we've uncovered relating to the investigation.Dr Shakoor still hopes that one day those responsible will be brought to justice.Written and produced by Gabby Colenso Presenter: Sonia Watson Sound Design: John Cameron-McIntosh Story Consultants: Barney Rowntree and Ben Robinson Online Producer: Rachael Smith Series Editor: Shahid Hussain Commissioning Editor: Alistair MiskinA BBC Essex production for BBC Sounds.

Delve into the disturbing details of a tragic house fire that took a family's life, with insights into forensic missteps. The investigation reveals critical evidence mishandling and the challenges of preserving crucial data. Hear firsthand accounts from those intimately involved as they discuss the confusion surrounding the crime scene and the peculiarities of a door that may hold the key to the case. The emotional toll on families searching for justice underscores the pressing need for meticulous forensic practices.

Police get a breakthrough when something was found dumped near the Shakoor family home, eleven days after the fatal house fire.The discovery means the fire is now officially a murder investigation. As enquiries increase there's a problem, which could provide a reason why this case remains unsolved.Written and produced by Gabby Colenso Presenter: Sonia Watson Sound Design: John Cameron-McIntosh Story Consultants: Barney Rowntree and Ben Robinson Online Producer: Rachael Smith Series Editor: Shahid Hussain Commissioning Editor: Alistair MiskinA BBC Essex production for BBC Sounds.

The town of Harlow is in shock after a house fire left Dr Sabah Usmani and her four children dead. A fifth child is on life support in hospital. The father, Abdul Shakoor, is by his daughter's bedside praying for her to pull through. As the community in Essex tries to come to terms with what’s happened, detectives reveal the Shakoor's home wasn’t the only fire in the street that night and the search for answers begins.Written and produced by Gabby Colenso Presenter: Sonia Watson Sound Design: John Cameron-McIntosh Story Consultants: Barney Rowntree and Ben Robinson Online Producer: Rachael Smith Series Editor: Shahid Hussain Commissioning Editor: Alistair MiskinA BBC Essex production for BBC Sounds.

A normally quiet residential street in Harlow is woken in the middle of the night to screams for help. Doctor Abdul Shakoor jumps from the bedroom window of his Essex home as fire rages through the living room downstairs. His wife and five children are still inside. What Adbul didn't know then is that he’ll be the only family member to survive and also that someone else may have been in the house.Written and produced by Gabby Colenso Presenter: Sonia Watson Sound Design: John Cameron-McIntosh Story Consultants: Barney Rowntree and Ben Robinson Online Producer: Rachael Smith Series Editor: Shahid Hussain Commissioning Editor: Alistair MiskinA BBC Essex production for BBC Sounds.

A father is the sole survivor of a house fire that killed his wife and five children. On 15 October 2012, Dr Abdul Shakoor jumped from an upstairs window of his house in Harlow, Essex. It was a desperate attempt to get help.His wife Dr Sabah Usmani and their five children died in the fire and police opened a murder investigation. Dr Shakoor has been fighting for answers and justice ever since.Written and produced by Gabby Colenso Presenter: Sonia Watson Sound Design: John Cameron-McIntosh Story Consultants: Barney Rowntree and Ben Robinson Online Producer: Rachael Smith Series Editor: Shahid Hussain Commissioning Editor: Alistair MiskinA BBC Essex production for BBC Sounds.

A top bullion dealer explains how the toilet could have disappeared and where the gold might be today. Meanwhile, Jimmy Sheen’s pocketed £520,000 from the gold sale and an investigation shows he’s made big money from other crimes. Explore where his missing millions could be and whether they will ever be in the hands of the police.Presenter: Clodagh Stenson. Producer: Jonathan Eden and William McLennan. Sound Designer: Meic Parry. Story Consultants: Graham Russell and Jack Kibble-White. Executive Producers: Peter Cooke and Peter Cook. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Commissioner: Al Miskin.

A trial begins and the three defendants plead not guilty. Details emerge about reconnaissance trips to Blenheim made days before the heist. Also, Jimmy Sheen’s voice notes are shared. They offer a rare chance to eavesdrop on the crime as it’s happening, uncovering how he cashed in on his golden loot.Presenter: Clodagh Stenson. Producer: Jonathan Eden and William McLennan. Sound Designer: Meic Parry. Story Consultants: Graham Russell and Jack Kibble-White. Executive Producers: Peter Cooke and Peter Cook. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Commissioner: Al Miskin.Image: Getty

Four years later a toilet thief is unmasked as James ‘Jimmy’ Sheen. An investigation uncovers Sheen's dark past leading up to the Blenheim burglary with a career of crime that began in his twenties. The ringleader of multiple gangs, he's tied to violent thefts, nationwide fraud and a shooting in Coventry.Presenter: Clodagh Stenson. Producer: Jonathan Eden and William McLennan. Sound Designer: Meic Parry. Story Consultants: Graham Russell and Jack Kibble-White. Executive Producers: Peter Cooke and Peter Cook. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Commissioner: Al Miskin.Image: Getty