Month: March 2026

Trigger Warning: This episode covers crimes against children and suicide, so listener discretion is advised.

In this episode of “Scotland Today,” Dawn explores the haunting case of Ellen Hannah, who, on the 31st March 1896, tragically took the lives of her three youngest children in Pollokshaws, Glasgow, before attempting to end her own. With sensitivity and care, Dawn highlights Ellen’s struggle with deep melancholy, shedding light on the devastating effects of mental illness in a time when support was scarce. This sobering story, filled with community reactions and heartbreak, serves as a grim reminder of the shadows that can exist behind closed doors.

Please Be Advised – This episode may contain content that some may find distressing. As always, we advise listener discretion. This episode it not suitable for anyone under the age of 13.

Journey through tragedy, courage, and the enduring impact of violence with Dawn as she explores two Scottish cases that left lasting scars on families and communities. This episode is a sobering reflection on justice, loss, and the heroes who stand against chaos.

🔎 3 key takeaways:
The Ripple Effects of Violence: The murder of Michelle Wenden in 2004 didn’t just end a life—it uprooted a family and left her children traumatised, ultimately forcing them to flee the very community they returned to for safety. Dawn illustrates how violent acts echo far beyond the crime scene, touching every corner of victims’ families and reshaping lives forever.

Justice and Its Failures: Despite the conviction and life sentence of Michelle’s killer, questions linger about the justice system’s ability to protect. With Robert McNeill’s violent history—and him being out on bail at the time of the attack—the episode raises a stark warning about systemic cracks that sometimes allow dangerous individuals to slip through.

Courage Amid Chaos: Moving back in time, Dawn recounts the story of Dugald Campbell, the first Scottish police officer killed on duty, during the infamous Hogmanay Riots of 1811. Dugald’s determination to confront danger—despite warnings—underscores the bravery required of those who protect communities, and marks a poignant chapter in Edinburgh’s history.

Please Be Advised – This episode may contain content that some may find distressing. As always, we advise listener discretion. This episode it not suitable for anyone under the age of 13.

Travel back to March 1945 as we revisit a moment in Greenock’s history that is as gripping as it is unsettling. This debut ‘Scotland Today’ episode shines a light on crime, justice, and enduring mystery—through the lens of the Wolf of Greenock case.

3 Key Takeaways:
A Dockside Murder Grips a Nation:
The episode plunges listeners into a chilling December night in 1944, as Dawn recounts the brutal assault and murder of merchant seaman Leonard Davies in Greenock. The community is rocked, both by the violence of the crime and the subsequent media frenzy that follows Docherty’s arrest and shocking trial.

Justice on a Knife Edge:
The courtroom drama runs high, with overwhelming evidence, a guilty verdict, and a death sentence by hanging for John Docherty. Yet, a critical legal misstep leads to the quashing of his conviction. This twist forces us to question whether justice was properly served or if deeper secrets remain hidden within Greenock’s docks.

Echoes Across the Decades:
The episode draws a haunting parallel to a different John Docherty from Greenock, convicted in the 1986 Elaine Doyle murder—a case the podcast covered in a previous episode. Through these stories, Dawn highlights how history’s shadows can stretch long across Scottish towns.

Please Be Advised – This episode may contain content that some may find distressing. As always, we advise listener discretion. This episode it not suitable for anyone under the age of 13.

In this episode Dawn unravels the tragic death of Irene Martin, a beloved Scottish police officer. Listeners are taken through Irene’s life, her relationships, and the chilling events surrounding that fateful November morning in 1993, when her body was discovered after a fire in her Dundee flat. As the investigation unfolds, secrets, motives, and emotional testimonies emerge, painting a complex picture of Irene’s world. The episode also touches on the lasting impact Irene had on her family, friends, and community, who honoured her legacy in moving ways.

Please Be Advised – This episode may contain content that some may find distressing. As always, we advise listener discretion. This episode it not suitable for anyone under the age of 13.