Facebook X YouTube Instagram Pinterest NetGalley
Google Books previews are unavailable because you have chosen to turn off third party cookies for enhanced content. Visit our cookies page to review your cookie settings.

Convicting Britain’s Most Ruthless Criminals (Hardback)

Case Files for the Prosecution

P&S History > British History P&S History > True Crime

By Vivien Holland
Imprint: Pen & Sword True Crime
Pages: 160
Illustrations: 30 mono
ISBN: 9781399092265
Published: 31st March 2023

in_stock

£14.00 was £20.00

You save £6.00 (30%)


You'll be £14.00 closer to your next £10.00 credit when you purchase Convicting Britain’s Most Ruthless Criminals. What's this?
+£4.50 UK Delivery or free UK delivery if order is over £40
(click here for international delivery rates)

Need a currency converter? Check XE.com for live rates

Other formats available - Buy the Hardback and get the eBook for £1.99! Price
Convicting Britain’s Most Ruthless… ePub (4.0 MB) Add to Basket £4.99


Safely convicting criminals relies on finding the truth. But what is the truth and can we ever get the complete picture? Convicting Britain’s Most Ruthless Criminals is a collection of serious crime cases in modern Britain. It gives a detailed insight into the amassing of evidence for the prosecution and how the truth can be uncovered, given that there is always a piece of evidence missing, whether it is a hidden fortune, an elusive murder weapon or even an undiscovered body, in order to bring about a safe conviction.

Drawing on detailed analysis of leading prosecutors’ speeches combined with expert witness information and press reports, these are fascinating stories of criminal acts, their perpetrators, and how they were brought to justice by putting together a jigsaw of evidence, much of which has never been revealed before, which includes ballistics, pathology, mobile phone records and CCTV analysis. Enough to get as close to the real truth as possible, given that the picture of each jigsaw is never completely revealed.

There is the case of a bungled robbery that ended up as murder, a staged gem heist only uncovered years later during a plea-bargaining exercise, a death in police custody, a serial killer who decided to confess, and a Ponzi scheme that eventually collapsed.

The cases are intertwined with stories and anecdotes including how jurors have themselves broken the law, how the gangland drugs scene became big business and why there is so much dressing up in court.

"Unusually the author had access to a prosecutor’s case files and “expert witness information” which makes this an interesting and informative book, well written, capturing the reader."

Surrey Constabulary History Journal, Police History Society

True crime stories are fascinating. Often the stories focus on the hunt for the killer but this one takes that hunt and turns it around as it looks at the building of the case to bring the villain to justice. All the stories share one fact. No matter when the crime took places, given a good investigation and a commitment to detail, it is more likely for the perp to pay for the crime than if the work done is shoddy.

Many of the crimes in the book took place before the discovery of DNA. That clearly changed the game. Now it was possible to link trace evidence to the person committing the crime. It could convict the guilty or prove the innocence of someone already convicted. The other big game changer is the fact that there are cameras all over the place and with the ability to track cells, even the smartest criminal leaves an evidence.

It is an interesting book and well worth the read.

NetGalley, Susan Johnston

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely amazing read! Such a captivating read! Amazing cover art that was super eye catching would definitely recommend to all!

NetGalley, PartridgePages Blog

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

One of the most interesting true crime books I have read in a very long time. It's skillfully written to keep your interest, there are no dry monologues or copied newspaper articles, just lots of great stories to educate and entertain. Vivien Holland has just joined my "followed" authors list!

NetGalley, Denice Langley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A well-written and greatly researched book. Very interesting, insightful and intriguing. A recommended read.

NetGalley, Wendy M Rhodes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I was really excited when I was approved for a copy of this book. From reading the synopsis it sounded just like the genre of book I would enjoy. I’m fascinated by criminal law and criminal cases so a book of prosecution case filed I figured I was going to fly through and I did just that. I think I read this book cover to cover in just a few days.

The book is broken up into chapters that deal with a different criminal case, how the crime was committed, the players involved, the processes by which the police go through in order to build their case file and then how the case makes it way through the criminal courts.

It was interesting to read about some of the cases and how even though the suspects felt they would get away with it, the police manage to gather enough evidence in the form of fingerprints, CCTV or cell site evidence to put a case to a jury that ultimately leads to a conviction.

NetGalley, Laura Elliott

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I could not put this book down and read it from first to last page in one sitting.
It is interesting, informative and in a very readable style.
I only picked it up after reading the synopsis, the title could be more interesting or attention grabbing but the book is excellent.
Covering a wide range of legal cases in the UK and a number of legal points. Anyone who has even a passing interest in the law or true crime will enjoy this book.

NetGalley, Helen Wilkinson

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is such an interesting book it’s like a tutorial on crime cases in Britain it talks about the rules the barrister’s have to follow in the ethics they should possess with great true crime stories thrown in for good measure. This would be a great addition to anyone’s true crime library. It is a definite five star read in one I highly recommend.

NetGalley, Janalyn Prude

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

These Crimes Are Truly Shocking.
Vivien holland has done a great job researching this book for any true crime fan as Vivien has amassed a collection of short true crime stories that gives you the right amount of information.
Some of the story’s I was familiar with, but I was surprised to find a lot of killers I have never heard of. I googled each crime to learn more about the killers and their crimes. The book goes into great detailed insight into how the truth can be uncovered.
It is a remarkably interesting book and very easy to read. I found this book kept my full attention and it kept me turning the pages. I certainly looked forward to each story and how it unfolded. The crimes are truly shocking, and I still wonder of the inhumanity that some people are capable off with very little or no remorse for their victims or their families.
I highly recommend this book to True Crime readers.

NetGalley, Kathleen RIGGS

This was an interesting look at how some of the most ruthless and prolific criminals in Britain have been caught and brought to justice through evidence, detecting and the court process. A really informative and enjoyable read.

NetGalley, Aria Harlow

“When an individual goes about their criminal task, they leave clues behind on various ways. Not just their fingerprints and other body matter, but also what their mobile phone was doing and if they were recorded on CCTV. But as well as leaving clues in a digital footprint or physical fingerprint, they also pick up clues from their surroundings.”

This was quite an interesting read and if you enjoy true crime and learning about the justice system, this is one to read.

Georgi Lvs Books !!

About Vivien Holland

VIVIEN HOLLAND has had a life-long fascination with crime. Looking at cases from the perspective of the prosecution, she has observed many criminal trials. Her interest in how different pieces of evidence are collected and pieced together to secure a safe conviction led to the idea for Convicting Britain’s Most Ruthless Criminals, her first book.

Customers who bought this title also bought...

Other titles in Pen & Sword True Crime...