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Crime Next Door

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Jun 17, 2025 • 16min

5. Justice for my family

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.
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Jun 10, 2025 • 12min

4. Forensic evidence

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.
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Jun 3, 2025 • 15min

3. A murder investigation

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.
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May 27, 2025 • 14min

2. A second fire

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.
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May 20, 2025 • 20min

1. A family trapped in the fire

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.
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May 19, 2025 • 3min

Introducing... Who Killed the Shakoors?

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.
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Apr 28, 2025 • 23min

6. The Gold

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, with assistance from 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.
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Apr 21, 2025 • 22min

5. The Fence

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, with assistance from 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
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Apr 14, 2025 • 24min

4. The Thief

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, with assistance from 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
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Apr 7, 2025 • 17min

3. The Failures and The Fakes

As the palace reopens to the public, curious visitors flock to witness the infamous crime scene. Behind the scenes, Blenheim’s Chief Executive scrambles to tighten palace security. An internationally renowned art hunter is hired by the insurers to hunt the golden treasure. Meanwhile playful sightings of fake golden toilets pop up across Oxfordshire.Presenter: Clodagh Stenson. Producer: Jonathan Eden, with assistance from 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.

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