THE TERRIFYING world of drug-running goes under the microscope in the latest Thames Valley Court and Crime podcast. 

That’s one of a number of different court cases discussed in episode four of the audio series by Tom, Ollie and George -- Newsquest’s crime writers covering the Thames Valley. 

 

LISTEN TO EPISODE FOUR OF THE THAMES VALLEY COURT AND CRIME PODCAST HERE

First up, the Oxford Mail’s Tom Seaward talks us through one of the most ‘depressing’ court cases he’s ever sat through. 

The case involved a young man who successfully fought off a drug supply charge after proving he was, in effect, a modern slave at the hands of a Bicester-based drugs kingpin. 

Tom reveals the shocking life the drug-runner was forced to lead under the thumb of the drug lord as a result of an outstanding drug-debt and in fear of retribution against his family. 

More details on that story can be found in the first part of the podcast and in via the link here. 

The middle segment of the show sees Reading Chronicle court reporter Ollie Sirrell discussing the outcomes of two murder trials that recently played out at Reading Crown Court. 

Two men were sent down for their part in two separate and unrelated killings from February 2021 and May 2020 respectively. 

Both were given life sentences for their murders of a 24-year-old man in Reading and a one-month-old baby in Newbury. 

And in the last part of the podcast, Bucks Free Press crime reporter George Roberts discusses a story about a man who threatened to blow up his ex-girlfriend’s car in Chesham. 

Read the full story here. 

To make sure you don’t miss an episode of the podcast, follow the page here.