You're listening to the mens rea podcast and this is the story of Harold Shipman Dr. Death Oh, Oh, you know. Harold Frederick Shipman was born in the tidy quiet Edward Lane's council estate

about three miles from Nottingham Centre on the 14th of January,

1946, almost eight months after Victory in Europe Day.

He was the middle of three children. His parents, Harold Sr. and Vera's first child, Pauline, had been born in 1938 just before Harold Senior was shipped off to the war.

He had been a printer's assistant before that,

when he married 18-year-old Vera in 1937.

Their youngest son, Clive, was born in 1950. Harold Senior was a quiet and diligent man, who was a hard worker, but not ambitious. That was Vera's realm. She had come from very humble beginnings.

Her own father was not named on her birth certificate and she was determined to make a good life for her and her children.

She kept her house pin neat and her children were well behaved.

They couldn't bear to see her disappointed and so she never had to discipline through raising her voice or giving a quick

smack. These kids weren't spoiled though. They were disciplined and not used to getting treats or

expensive presents. The kids were also kept apart from other children on the estate. They were rarely seen outside playing and socializing with the other children. Vera made sure to instill in them all the knowledge that they were somehow different, better even, than the other children.

It was obvious that her oldest son, Harold Jr., otherwise known as Fred or Freddie was her favorite.

She had high hopes for the boy.

She was delighted when Freddie managed to get into the local grammar school high pavement. Though he had been an above average student in his junior school,

Fred Shipman was decidedly adequate in his career in high pavement. His older sister Pauline left school at 15 and began

working and his younger brother Clive hadn't made it into high pavement, so Vera focused on Fred's career and his schooling became an important

focal point of the family. His schoolwork was the most important thing in the household and this

ensured that he never did become part of the gang of boys who played and

messed in the street just outside his house. He continued on to take sixth form and sat the A levels after sitting

his G. CSEs. He was a model pupil despite his mediocre achievements.

He was however a noted sportsman and played rugby with gusto as well as being an accomplished

...