Hello and welcome to episode 80 of the UK True Crime Weekly Podcast. I'm Adam.

Thank you for joining me today for the first episode where the actual crime takes place

outside the UK, although all the background begins in the northwest of England.

But before we begin, a huge thank you to all my Patreon supporters, but especially my

new supporters this week, that's Samantha Roberts and Kate Dali. Thank you both so much

and I hope you enjoy the 15 bonus episodes and other exclusive content.

Today we head back to Christmas 2006, so let's set some context by taking a look at what

we were listening to at the time. Wow, except for Slade, Wham and the other Christmas

classics that are playing all over the UK every Christmas.

And top of the Christmas songs we're entering the charts at Christmas this year was Fairy

Tale of New York by the excellent Pogs and the sadly missed Kirsty McCull and number

six. But number one spot was Leo Nalewis with a moment like this, which kept take that

with patience from the top spot. In the US, number one was Beyonce with irreplaceable.

And in the Australian singles charts, the top selling sum of 2006 was Sandy Tom with

I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker. And what was happening in the news I hear you ask? Well,

pitching legend Greg Maddox signed a one year deal with San Diego for a call ten million

dollars, nice work Greg. Persia produced its last car at the right

and plant, signaling the end of mass car production and coventry, which was formerly a major

centre of the British motor industry. The Chinese river dolphin was confirmed as extinct,

and we'll learn. And NASA revealed photographs taken by the Mars Global

surveyor, suggesting the presence of liquid water on Mars. Today's story begins in Akrington,

a town in Lancashire, northwest England.

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