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 · E30 · 1:00:00
Arthur Leigh Allen: The Zodiac Killer’s Prime Suspect? | Episode 9
Episode 9 of The Zodiac Killer series focuses entirely on Arthur Leigh Allen — the man law enforcement pursued for decades and the only suspect ever publicly named in the case. From Donald Cheney’s explosive 1971 account to Michael Mageau’s later identification, Allen’s case is packed with disturbing coincidences, alleged admissions, and behavior investigators found impossible to ignore. We break down the full timeline: Allen’s background in Vallejo, his reported pre-crime statements, the Zodiac Sea Wolf watch, the Lake Berryessa alibi, the search warrants, the pipe bombs, and the claims made in Netflix’s 2024 documentary This Is the Zodiac Speaking. But this episode also examines the other side of the case: the fingerprints that did not match, the handwriting experts who excluded him, the partial DNA that failed to connect him, and why he was never charged. Was Arthur Leigh Allen the Zodiac Killer — or the most compelling wrong suspect in true crime history? 00:00 Prime Suspect Setup 01:43 Allen Early Life 04:24 Grievances And Red Flags 05:54 Cheney Bombshell Tip 07:00 Lovers Lane Details 11:54 Credibility And DNA Wrinkle 15:10 First Police Interview 16:26 Watch Alibi And Knives 19:33 Handwriting Excludes Allen 20:43 Search Warrant And Arrest 22:51 Spinelli Names Allen 25:27 1991 Search And Bombs 27:48 Blue Rock Springs Revisited 28:58 Mageau Photo Lineup 30:55 Voice Witness Limits 32:28 Allen Dies and Search 33:14 DNA and Handwriting Tests 35:52 Forensic Caveats Explained 37:01 Netflix Seawater Claims 40:49 Beach and Riverside Trips 44:35 Confession Accounts Weighed 46:19 Case For and Against 53:20 Why Allen Endures 56:53 Final Question and Next 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.
S25 · E29 · 52:10
Why Drug Laws Aren't Working — A Former Detective's Take
Knife Crime Rumours, Sub Judice Rules, and Scotland’s Violence Reduction Success Simon and Tom discuss a daylight knife incident in Edinburgh’s Calders that sparked widespread online misinformation, prompting Police Scotland to issue rare clarifications while constrained by sub judice rules; Tom explains how the Contempt of Court Act and Lord Advocate’s guidelines limit pretrial commentary to protect fair trials. They compare “perp walk” publicity with Scottish practice, including WWII-era German spy arrests in Scotland where press photos prevented the suspects being turned into double agents and led to executions. The conversation turns to emergency-service responses to knife incidents and the balance between waiting for specialist support and the duty to protect life. They cover Ian Huntley’s prison assault and how the Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman murders exposed failures in intelligence-sharing about dangerous offenders. Tom highlights the Violence Reduction Unit’s 20-year impact, noting murders fell from 137 in 2005 to 47, and argues its public-health approach could inform drug policy amid rising lethal synthetics. They also touch on citizen’s arrest/self-defence, skepticism about “international law,” and football-related disorder. 00:00 Cold Open Banter 00:16 Edinburgh Knife Incident 01:36 Misinformation And Police Response 02:58 Sub Judice Explained 05:14 Perp Walk And Spy Photos 09:07 Emergency Services And Risk 14:53 Ian Huntley Case Lessons 18:42 Violence Reduction Unit Success 23:22 Drug Laws And Public Health 26:26 Root Causes Not Choices 26:42 Football As Diversion 29:03 Community Clubs Origins 30:14 Boxing And Discipline 33:37 PR Spin And Distractions 35:39 VRU Principles And Praise 37:44 Vigilantes And Self Defence 40:20 International Law Skepticism 46:19 Peaky Blinders And Gang Lore 49:00 Old Firm Songs And Policing 51:48 Wrap Up And Next Topics Episodes referred to in this show. Sheila Anderson Season 1 Episodes 27/28 https://crimetimeinc.com/episodes/sheila-anderson-unsolved-leith-s-heroin-turning-point-part-1 https://crimetimeinc.com/episodes/sheila-anderson-unsolved-leith-s-heroin-turning-point The Expendables (The Beautiful Spy) Season 1 Episodes 25/26 https://crimetimeinc.com/episodes/the-expendables-1 https://crimetimeinc.com/episodes/the-expendables-2 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 · E28 · 26:45
Peter Tobin: Hunting Shadows
🎙 Crime Time Inc. – Jane Hamilton Book Launch Peter Tobin: Hunting Shadows | The Scottish Serial Killer Case In this special episode of Crime Time Inc., Tom sits down with investigative journalist Jane Hamilton for the first in-depth discussion of her new book: Peter Tobin: Hunting Shadows This episode explores the crimes of Peter Tobin, one of Scotland’s most notorious serial killers, and the long investigation that linked him to the murders of: Vicki Hamilton (15) Dinah McNicol (18) Angelika Kluk (23) Rather than glorifying the killer, Jane’s book focuses on the lives of the young women he murdered — and the investigative journey that uncovered the truth. 📚 About the Book – Peter Tobin: Hunting Shadows Publisher: Mirror Books Release Date: 26 February Written in memory of Vicki Hamilton, Dinah McNicol and Angelika Kluk A journalist’s perspective on one of Scotland’s darkest criminal investigations Jane was present from the earliest days of the Angelika Kluk investigation in Glasgow, when her body was discovered beneath the floorboards of St Patrick’s Church in 2006. That murder ultimately exposed Peter Tobin’s hidden past and led to the reopening of earlier missing persons cases. 🔎 The Peter Tobin Case: A Timeline 1991 – Vicki Hamilton disappears in Bathgate on a freezing February night 1991 – Dinah McNicol vanishes after hitchhiking from a music festival 2006 – Angelika Kluk murdered in Glasgow Post-2006 – Operation Anagram links Tobin to earlier murders Tom reflects on his own policing experience during the Vicki Hamilton investigation and explains why Tobin was one of the hardest serial killers in Scotland to catch — frequently changing addresses, aliases and identities. 🎧 What This Episode Explores The psychology of an opportunistic serial killer How Peter Tobin evaded detection for years The role of Operation Anagram in linking cold cases Grooming, vulnerability and offender behaviour patterns The differences between police investigations and investigative journalism The decline of long-form crime reporting in modern media Jane also shares how she tracked down Tobin’s former wives and pursued leads internationally to build a fuller picture of the man behind the crimes. 📰 Investigative Journalism vs Police Investigation This episode offers rare insight into: How journalists build trust without legal powers The ethical challenges of reporting on serial murder Telling victims’ stories without sensationalism Why historical true crime still resonates today 🎙 Why This Episode Matters The Peter Tobin case remains one of the most significant serial killer investigations in Scottish criminal history. This conversation highlights: The human cost behind the headlines The long shadow cast by unresolved missing persons cases The importance of persistence in both policing and journalism 🔔 Listen If You’re Interested In: Scottish serial killer cases Peter Tobin and Operation Anagram Cold case investigations True crime podcast discussions Investigative journalism 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 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 who has worked alongside the FBI on major investigations. 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