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Crime Next Door

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Crime Next Door
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  • Introducing... The Ballad of Big Mags
    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
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  • 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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  • 4. Forensic evidence
    Police believe someone broke into their home that night and a fire was started, but no-one has ever been charged. With claims of evidence compromised, mistakes made and missed opportunities. We turn our attention to the crime scene forensics.Hear from people closest to the case, speaking for the first time about their concerns.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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  • 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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  • 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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About Crime Next Door

Gripping True Crime stories from neighbourhoods across the UK.Series 7. The Ballad of Big Mags A vigilante matriarch with dark secrets comes to regret stepping into the media spotlight.Previously on Crime Next Door:Series 1. An Assassin Comes to Town Gunshots kickstart an extraordinary tale of state terrorism. Series 2. Servants and Saints Exploring the story and allegations of a global religious group.Series 3. Death on the Farm After fifty years the community of Llangolman seek justice. Series 4. The Salisbury Poisonings Follow the public inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess.Series 5. The Golden Toilet Heist Exploring a story of art, mystery and a solid gold toilet stolen from a British palace.Series 6: Who Killed The Shakoors? A father is the sole survivor of a house fire that killed his wife and five children. Follow his story of unimaginable loss and the on-going fight for justice.
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