Crime Next Door - BBC Sounds

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Who Killed the Shakoors?: Trailer May 19, 2025

Show notes

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 Miskin

A BBC Essex production for BBC Sounds.

The Golden Toilet Heist: 6. The Gold Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

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 and 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.

The Golden Toilet Heist: 5. The Fence Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

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.

Image: Getty

The Golden Toilet Heist: 4. The Thief Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

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.

Image: Getty

The Golden Toilet Heist: 3. The Failures and The Fakes Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

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.

Image: Getty.

The Golden Toilet Heist: 2. The Rumour Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Stunned Blenheim Palace staff are coming to terms with an early morning raid as the gang make their getaway with the £5 million gold toilet.

Meanwhile, rumours swirl about who could have orchestrated the heist with fingers pointing to the toilet’s creator, Maurizio Cattelan, who has a history of elaborate stunts.

When the artist shares a statement denying any involvement a police investigation is launched and the hunt for the real robbers begins.

Image: Getty.

The Golden Toilet Heist: 1. The Heist Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

The mystery of one of Britain’s weirdest art heists begins at an exhibition party at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, in September 2019.

A £5 million solid gold toilet, created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, is centre-piece at the exhibition. Hours after partygoers leave it is stolen by a masked gang.

The events are a shock for the palace staff who witness the heist and its aftermath, including guest services manager Eleanor Paice and Chief Executive Dominic Hare.

Image: Getty.

The Golden Toilet Heist: Trailer Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

A story of art, mystery and a solid gold, fully plumbed in toilet stolen from a British palace.

With behind-the-scenes access at Blenheim Palace, we explore the inside story of the heist and its fallout.

Installed as part of an art exhibition, the £5 million toilet was notorious prior to its theft. Those behind the burglary remained a mystery for years. In 2025, with reporting restrictions lifted, we finally reveal their identities and the criminal past that led them to the toilet.

It's a tale of art and wealth but also security failures, ruthless criminals and missing millions.

Image: Getty

The Salisbury Poisonings: 20. The Repercussions Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

This final episode, recorded in December 2024, considers what the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry will achieve, and what might change as a result. BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner, legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg and Dan O’Brien from BBC News discuss what we’ve heard, what happens next, and what impact the Salisbury Poisonings have had around the world. This episode was made by Marie Lennon, Andy Howard, Tom Ryan & Dan O’Brien.

Executive production by Mary Sanders and Naomi Wordley.

The Salisbury Poisonings: 19. The Closing Statements Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

After 7 weeks and over a hundred hours of evidence, the public hearings of the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry come to an end. In this episode, the main participants, including Dawn’s family, make their final statements to the Chair.

This episode was made by Marie Lennon, Andy Howard, Tom Ryan & Dan O’Brien.

Executive production by Mary Sanders and Naomi Wordley.

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