News of the Times - Unlocking the vaults of historical crime
Welcome to News of the Times!
Step into the shadowed alleyways and gaslit parlours of the 18th and 19th centuries with News of the Times — a meticulously curated journey through historical crime. Each episode draws from authentic reports and court records, bringing you the darkly fascinating tales that gripped Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian Britain.
With over 500 episodes and counting, we explore true accounts of mischief, murder, and mayhem from days gone by — all delivered with a wry nod and a love for the curious corners of the past.
🕵️ For those with a taste for the peculiar, you may also enjoy our new side project: Volume 1: Slightly Unreliable Memoirs — a whimsical collection inspired by the lives (and occasional misadventures) of our research team. Think cravats, crumpets, and the occasional cactus on the lam. Intrigued? Find it here:
👉 https://ko-fi.com/s/b406f6f11e
News of the Times - Unlocking the vaults of historical crime
The Butler, the Gun, and the Judge: A Shocking Welsh Murder in 1876
The Butler, the Gun, and the Judge: A Shocking Welsh Murder in 1876
News of the Times | Episode 526 | 1876
A trusted servant.
A quiet estate.
A double-barrelled gun.
And a judge who would not survive the day...
When the peaceful Dolaucothy estate is rocked by gunfire in August 1876, the crime that unfolds becomes one of the most shocking in Welsh Victorian history. Retired magistrate Mr Johnes is left fatally wounded, and his daughter clings to life. The man behind it all? His long-serving butler.
But was it sudden madness — or something more deliberate?
In this gripping episode, we uncover the dark path from resentment to murder, told entirely through first-hand newspaper accounts, courtroom testimony, and eyewitness statements. Join us as we unravel a tale of pride, rejection, and a man pushed too far.
🎩 Also in this episode:
Strange happenings at the Bull’s Head Inn — where ghosts ring bells, tap doors, and vanish into the walls.
A chilling mystery from 1930 you won’t want to miss.
👤 Hosted by Robin Coles
📅 New uploads every Monday, Wednesday & Friday
🎥 Special 2+ hour compilation on the last Sunday of every month
▶️ Related episodes from the vault:
1878: The Case of the Bodies in the Dung Heap | EP445
https://youtu.be/RzNM8NsheFY
1877: The Isle of Wight Murder of 1877 | EP459
https://youtu.be/dGIcAuTsldA
1851 & 1875: Cases of Double Black Widows | EP464
https://youtu.be/k9YYxpoQ9Go
1874: The Case of the Vengeful Grandmother | EP489
https://youtu.be/DTRHrVKn1SE
1873: The Matricide in Chisenhale Street | EP490
https://youtu.be/cQ29REvzIDI
❤️ Support the Channel
Enjoying these tales of historic mayhem and murky mischief? Help keep the archive candle burning:
🎧 Like true historical crime, atmospheric storytelling, and carefully sourced archives?
Subscribe, comment, and share to help keep these stories alive.
🕯️ Explore over 500 real Victorian and Georgian crimes — ad-free on Patreon:
👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
🕯 About News of the Times
We are a small (and mildly chaotic) band of history enthusiasts uncovering the darker corners of Britain’s past — no corporate sponsors
Hear about our ad-free archive on Patreon – 650+ episodes and counting! 🎩 https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
Fancy a chuckle between corpses? Discover our first lovingly illustrated volume of wildly unreliable memoirs.
Grab it here: https://ko-fi.com/s/b406f6f11e
Support us on Patreon for ad-free early access and exclusive bonus episodes.
https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at newsofthetimespodcast@gmail.com
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd