Real Cases. Real Cops. Real Talk.
Crime Time Inc.
Former detectives Tom Wood and Simon McLean bring you inside Scotland's most gripping criminal cases. Real investigations. Real insight. No fluff.
5
Seasons
268+
Episodes
★ 5
Apple Podcasts
Fresh Episodes
Latest Episodes
S5 · E37 · 42:30
Scottish Elections, Police Body Cameras, Lockerbie and the £6 Billion Drugs Crisis
This week on Crime Time Inc, Simon and Tom mark the last of their general-topic episodes for a few weeks — while they push on to finish their in-depth series on the Zodiac murders — with an episode packed full of Scottish crime, policing, politics, and culture. Simon opens with a warning about "true friendship fraud", the growing phenomenon where criminals cultivate online relationships with vulnerable and elderly people in order to steal their money. With Scotland's older population increasingly targeted through Facebook, WhatsApp and other platforms, Simon and Tom explain the warning signs to look out for. Tom brings his characteristic dry wit to the subject, suggesting that any would-be fraudsters targeting him would leave considerably out of pocket. The political agenda is front and centre this week. Simon highlights new UK legislation cracking down on political donations — including a ban on crypto donations and a £100,000 cap on overseas contributions — ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections on 6 May. Tom draws on his years as Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders to give a frank insider account of what it takes to police a major election: the pre-planning, the management of rival factions, security at counting centres, the Representation of the People Act, and why rising political temperatures mean this May's vote will be a particularly demanding operation. Both hosts share their frustration at the state of modern political debate, noting that First Minister's Questions has descended into a catalogue of accusations rather than a forum for policy. Glasgow has finally joined the rest of the UK in rolling out police body-worn cameras, and Tom is blunt about why it took so long: Scotland's police capital budget is "lamentably inadequate", representing close to 0% of the Scottish Government's public spending despite policing accounting for roughly 3% of costs. Tom draws a direct line between that chronic underfunding and the £50 million Sheku Bayoh public inquiry — a cost that would have paid for body cameras across the whole of Police Scotland. The hosts also discuss privacy implications and Simon's affectionate memory of "Mr Gadget", a community officer from his days in Govan who wore every piece of kit simultaneously — including body armour he'd acquired himself — until being rendered immobile by the weight of it. Elsewhere, Tom gives his assessment of the Lockerbie bombing trial in New York, where alleged bomb-maker Abu Masud faces charges but legal delays are raising fears that the evidence may never be heard in open court. Tom warns of defence tactics designed to "run the clock round" and expresses hope that the Crown's reported intention to publish all evidence publicly — should the trial collapse — will at least bring some form of truth to the families of the 270 victims. The episode also features the latest instalment of the hosts' regular Scots language segment, with explorations of "wee", "Hogmanay", the "Loony Dook" and the beautiful Scots blessing "Lang may yer lum reek". Finally, Simon trails a forthcoming episode on Scotland's £6 billion annual drug crisis, following a major new Social Market Foundation report. KEY TALKING POINTS ------------------ • Friendship fraud and befriending scams: how to spot them and protect vulnerable people • New UK rules on political donations: crypto ban and the £100k overseas cap • Policing Scottish elections: behind the scenes with a former Deputy Chief Constable • Why First Minister's Questions has become "yaboo politics" • Glasgow body cameras: why Scotland was years behind — and the true cost of delay • The Sheku Bayoh inquiry: £50m that could have paid for national body cam rollout • Lockerbie trial update: delays, defence tactics and the risk evidence is never heard • Scots Language: "Wee", "Aye", "Hogmanay", "Loony Dook", "Lang may yer lum reek" • Preview: Scotland's £6 billion drug crisis HOSTS About Crime Time Inc. Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic. This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history. Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work. Two crime worlds. One podcast. New episodes released regularly throughout the season. Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/ If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us. Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey. http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S5 · E36 · 12:51
Why Lawrence Kane STILL Can’t Be Ruled Out as the Zodiac Killer
In this episode, former detectives Simon and Tom review the case against Lawrence Kane — one of the most persistent suspects in the Zodiac Killer investigation. We advise you listen to the previous episode. While Kane appears to “tick many boxes” on paper, this discussion goes deeper — separating compelling evidence from misleading coincidence. Key points explored include: Kane’s background: Navy experience, coding knowledge, brain injury, and a history of sexual and petty offences His proximity to key Zodiac crime locations, including San Francisco and Vallejo The significance of his convictions for prowling and voyeurism — and whether these behaviours align with the Zodiac’s possible pre-offence patterns The detectives focus heavily on identification evidence, often considered the backbone of any case: Darlene Ferrin’s sisters identifying Kane as a man who frightened her Kathleen Johns later identifying Kane as her abductor Why these identifications are compelling — but still fall short of proving he was the Zodiac However, major challenges to the Kane theory are also examined: No confirmed link to firearms — despite the Zodiac’s demonstrated skill with multiple weapons The Donna Lass case, which differs significantly from known Zodiac crimes in method and execution The risk of forcing connections between unrelated crimes A key theme of this episode is the copycat theory: Could some incidents attributed to the Zodiac actually be separate crimes triggered by media coverage? Are investigators and researchers grouping together crimes that don’t belong? The discussion also highlights a critical investigative danger: Becoming too focused on one suspect and forcing evidence to fit — rather than stepping back and reassessing the bigger picture Ultimately, the conclusion remains frustratingly familiar: Lawrence Kane cannot be definitively linked to the Zodiac Killer But equally, he cannot be fully ruled out This episode is a grounded, expert-led breakdown of a suspect who continues to divide opinion — and a reminder of just how complex the Zodiac case truly is. About Crime Time Inc. Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic. This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history. Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work. Two crime worlds. One podcast. New episodes released regularly throughout the season. Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/ If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us. Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey. http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S5 · E35 · 15:24
Lawrence Kane: The Zodiac Suspect Detectives Could Never Eliminate
n this episode, we examine one of the most persistent and controversial Zodiac Killer suspects: Lawrence Kane. Unlike lesser-known names, Kane is a suspect that serious investigators — including retired detective Harvey Hines — returned to repeatedly. We explore Kane’s background, including: His military training in electronics and coding A life-altering brain injury in 1962 and subsequent psychological decline A long criminal history that abruptly stopped just before the Zodiac killings began We then break down the most disturbing connections: Darlene Ferrin – Identified by her sisters as a man who frightened her prior to her murder Vehicle change – Kane replaced his car days after the Blue Rock Springs shooting Paul Stine murder – Kane lived just blocks from the pickup location Officer Don Fouke – Described Kane as the closest likeness he had seen to the Zodiac The case becomes even more chilling with the disappearance of Donna Lass: Worked in the same building as Kane in Lake Tahoe Vanished in 1970 under suspicious circumstances Later linked to a possible Zodiac communication Her remains were only identified in 2023 — over 50 years later We also revisit the Kathleen Johns abduction, where she identified Kane in a photo lineup — an incident the Zodiac himself claimed responsibility for. Despite these connections, the forensic case remains inconclusive: Fingerprints did not match — but may not belong to the killer DNA evidence is disputed and unreliable Handwriting analysis failed to confirm or eliminate him So why was Kane never ruled out? No definitive alibi Multiple circumstantial overlaps with Zodiac crimes Continued interest from law enforcement This episode lays out the full picture — the evidence, the doubts, and the unanswered questions — surrounding a man who may be one of the strongest Zodiac suspects, yet remains officially unconfirmed. Next episode: Richard Gaikowski — a name some believe the Zodiac hid in plain sight. About Crime Time Inc. Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic. This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history. Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work. Two crime worlds. One podcast. New episodes released regularly throughout the season. Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/ If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us. Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey. http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Hosts
Straight From the Case Files
Tom Wood
Co-Host
Tom Wood is a retired detective, former Deputy Chief Constable and bestselling author of "Ruxton: The First Modern Murder". With decades of experience in Scottish law enforcement, Tom brings unparalleled insight into criminal investigations and forensic history.
Simon McLean
Co-Host
Simon McLean is a former detective and undercover cop. His experience spans organised crime, serious assault, and complex criminal networks across Scotland.
Chris Burt
Producer
Chris Burt is the producer of Crime Time Inc, handling all aspects of audio production, post-production, and digital content.
Listener Reviews
What Listeners Say
Absolutely Gripping
“Tom and Simon bring an authenticity to true crime that you just can't fake. Having two actual detectives walk you through these cases is incredible. Essential listening.”
— ScottishCrimeFan · Apple Podcasts
Crime Time Membership
Exclusive episodes, printed case notes, webinars with the hosts, and backstage access. Be the first to know when we launch.
Get Notified