S17E03 | Alf Wilkins (Grimsby, Lincolnshire, 2001)
In February 2001, 67-year-old Alf Wilkins was killed in a fire deliberately set inside his Grimsby flat. But this wasn’t a random act of violence - it was the culmination of months of torment at the hands of his own neighbours.
Despite being acquitted of an indecent assault charge in November 2000, Alf remained a target. The locals refused to believe his innocence, fueled by the hysteria of the News of the World's infamous 'name-and-shame' campaign. Branded as something he was not, Alf was harassed, threatened, and ultimately, his life was taken in an act of brutal, misplaced vigilante justice.
Join my Patreon community at patreon.com/britishmurders for exclusive perks, including early access to ad-free episodes, bonus episodes and content, exciting giveaways, and welcome goodies!
Follow me on social media:
Facebook | British Murders with Stuart Blues
Instagram | @britishmurders
TikTok | @britishmurders
Join the private Facebook group:
British Murders Podcast - Discussion Group
Intro music:
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'
davidjohnbrady.com
Disclaimer:
The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.
References:
A paper’s controversial campaign. (2001, December 16). BBC News. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1709708.stm
Arson charge. (2001, February 13). Aberdeen Evening Express, 6.
Corken, H. (2018, February 8). Grimsby Town fan who was cleared of murder is banned from every football ground in country. Grimsby Live. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/grimsby-town-fan-who-cleared-1187985
Day, S. (2016, April 21). Inquest is opened into death of double murderer. The Hunts Post. https://www.huntspost.co.uk/news/22980324.inquest-opened-death-double-murderer/
England and Wales Court of Appeal (Criminal Division). (2003). R v Lawless & Anor. In Casemine (EWCA Crim 271). Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.casemine.com/judgement/uk/5a8ff7aa60d03e7f57eb1060
Four are quizzed on blaze death. (2001, February 12). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 15.
FOUR QUIZZED OVER FIRE DEATH. (2001, February 12). Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph, 42.
Hallett, N., Smit, N., & Rix, K. (2019). Miscarriages of justice and expert psychiatric evidence: lessons from criminal appeals in England and Wales. BJPsych Advances, 25(4), 251–264. https://doi.org/10.1192/bja.2019.11
Ian Lawless wins murder conviction compensation ruling. (2013, January 25). BBC News. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-21204099
Judges reject murder appeals. (2003, February 14). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 23.
Lister, D. (2002, February 22). Newspaper campaign led to series of attacks on innocent people. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/newspaper-campaign-led-to-series-of-attacks-on-innocent-people-9225018.html
Miscarriage compensation test case succeeds as other claimants fail. (2013, January 25). Garden Court North Chambers. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://gcnchambers.co.uk/miscarriage-compensation-test-case-succeeds-as-other-claimants-fail/
Murder charge. (2001, February 13). Aberdeen Press and Journal, 1.
Neighbours deny killing. (2002, January 16). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 17.
Newby, M. (2009, July 1). When fantasy turns serious. Insidetime. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://insidetime.org/newsround/when-fantasy-turns-serious/
Palmer, F., & Vaughan, S. (1980, April 17). FOUR-DAY RAMPAGE OF TERROR. Daily Mirror, 7.
Rampton man gets life for brutal killing. (1979, October 3). Daily Express, 4.
Ravendale, I. (n.d.). Crime. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://ianravendale.blogspot.com/p/crime.html
Second arson charge. (2001, February 15). Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph, 4.
Second man guilty. (2002, February 21). Aberdeen Press and Journal, 12.
Self-styled vigilantes get life for murder. (2002, March 22). Aberdeen Evening Express, 7.
Sex case man dies in flames. (2001, February 10). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 1.
The Court of Appeal Criminal Division. (2009). Review of the Legal Year 2008 / 2009. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/JCO/Documents/Reports/Criminal+Div+Review+of+legal+year+2008-2009.pdf
UK paedophile frenzy escalates. (2000, August 7). News24. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.news24.com/news24/uk-paedophile-frenzy-escalates-20000807
Vaughan, S. (1980, April 17). Beast who killed twice. Daily Record, 5.
“Vigilantes” face life sentences. (2002, February 21). BBC News. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1833839.stm
Vigilantes get life for killing ex-sea captain. (2002, March 23). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 35.
Vigilantes receive life terms. (2002, March 23). Scarborough Evening News, 8.
Wainwright, M. (2002, February 22). Paedophile vigilantes face life terms. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/feb/22/childprotection.society
