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The Trial

The Trial

By: The Crime Desk
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The Trial goes behind the headlines of some of the biggest trials in the world. We take you into the courtroom, bringing you the detail as the evidence unfolds, examining key moments and carrying out exclusive interviews with detectives, victims, and experts.


For ad-free listening to The Trial, exclusive bonus episodes every week, and complete access to previous series of the show, subscribe to The Crime Desk now. Visit www.thecrimedesk.com to become a member.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Crime Desk
True Crime
Episodes
  • BONUS: The Tragic Life Of Preston Davey: "You've killed him Jamie."
    May 20 2026

    In this extra episode Caroline and Liz have the moment Jamie Varley is faced with the extent of the allegations against him - and his reaction to them. He tells detective they are wrong that he sexually abused and murdered his adopted 13-month-old son, Preston Davey, and he will fight the allegations until the day he dies.


    Help shape the Crime Desk by taking our quick, listener survey. It takes just five minutes, and you could win a £50 Amazon voucher.


    Terms and conditions


    • Open to UK residents aged 18 or over.
    • Enter between 00:01 BST on 23rd April 2026 and 23:59 BST on 23rd May 2026, inclusive
    • The Promotion is free to enter by visiting, completing the online survey and providing your contact details (including email address).
    • There will be one (1) winner.
    • The winner will win £50 Amazon Voucher
    • Amazon Vouchers are subject to Amazon’s T&Cs found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/
    • Full T&Cs apply, click here to read them.


    Subscribe via thecrimedesk.com

    Follow us on TikTok @DailyMailCrime

    Email us thetrial@dailymail.com

    WhatsApp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’)


    Presenter: Caroline Cheetham and Liz Hull

    Editor: Chelsey Ranore

    Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham

    Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini

    A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.


    The Trial series uses actors and some voices generated by AI. Their words are taken as verbatim from the official court transcript.


    Click here to sign up to The Crime Desk's weekly newsletter.

    It's free and packed with exclusive interviews, expert insight, and gripping deep dive investigations from across the world.


    A Daily Mail production.

    Seriously Popular.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
  • The Tragic Life Of Preston Davey: “Frozen Watchfulness”
    May 19 2026

    In this episode Caroline and Liz have the evidence from a doctor who said in some of the videos on Jamie Varley’s phone, Preston Davey was in life threatening situations. Dr Jo Gifford, an expert in child sex abuse, said Preston showed signs of being mistreated and abused, and there was footage of him before he died which showed several “near misses.”

    We also have the evidence from Preston’s foster mum Sandra Cooper who came into court to refute Jamie Varley’s suggestion that the reason Preston was pictured and filmed naked was because she had advised he should be allowed “free willy time.” She said it was categorically untrue and she would view it as a big safeguarding issue.


    Help shape the Crime Desk by taking our quick, listener survey. It takes just five minutes, and you could win a £50 Amazon voucher.


    Terms and conditions


    • Open to UK residents aged 18 or over.
    • Enter between 00:01 BST on 23rd April 2026 and 23:59 BST on 23rd May 2026, inclusive
    • The Promotion is free to enter by visiting, completing the online survey and providing your contact details (including email address).
    • There will be one (1) winner.
    • The winner will win £50 Amazon Voucher
    • Amazon Vouchers are subject to Amazon’s T&Cs found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/
    • Full T&Cs apply, click here to read them.


    Subscribe via thecrimedesk.com

    Follow us on TikTok @DailyMailCrime

    Email us thetrial@dailymail.com

    WhatsApp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’)


    Presenter: Caroline Cheetham and Liz Hull

    Actors: Sarah Gee, Oliver Sykes, Benny Fiddimore

    Editor: Chelsey Ranore

    Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham

    Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini

    A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.



    The Trial series uses actors and some voices generated by AI. Their words are taken as verbatim from the official court transcript.


    Click here to sign up to The Crime Desk's weekly newsletter.

    It's free and packed with exclusive interviews, expert insight, and gripping deep dive investigations from across the world.


    A Daily Mail production.

    Seriously Popular.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • The Tragic Life Of Preston Davey: Was Preston bitten and abused?
    May 15 2026

    In this episode Caroline and Liz have the medical evidence which the jury were told were consistent with Preston Davey being bitten and sexually assaulted before he died. A pathologist with 40 years experience said she found evidence that he could have been smothered or he may have died from having something forced into his mouth. She also said he suffered bruises which were not accidental. Preston was 13 months old when he died within four months of being in the care of Jamie Varley and John McGowan Fazakerley who were in the process of adopting him. The prosecution say he was abused and murdered.


    Help shape the Crime Desk by taking our quick, listener survey. It takes just five minutes, and you could win a £50 Amazon voucher.


    Terms and conditions


    • Open to UK residents aged 18 or over.
    • Enter between 00:01 BST on 23rd April 2026 and 23:59 BST on 23rd May 2026, inclusive
    • The Promotion is free to enter by visiting, completing the online survey and providing your contact details (including email address).
    • There will be one (1) winner.
    • The winner will win £50 Amazon Voucher
    • Amazon Vouchers are subject to Amazon’s T&Cs found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/
    • Full T&Cs apply, click here to read them.


    Subscribe via thecrimedesk.com

    Follow us on TikTok @DailyMailCrime

    Email us thetrial@dailymail.com

    WhatsApp us +447796657512 (start your message with ‘Trial’)


    Presenter: Caroline Cheetham and Liz Hull

    Producer: Chelsey Ranore

    Editor: Chelsey Ranore

    Creative Director: Caroline Cheetham

    Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini

    A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular.

    The Trial series uses actors and some voices generated by AI. Their words are taken as verbatim from the official court transcript.


    Click here to sign up to The Crime Desk's weekly newsletter.

    It's free and packed with exclusive interviews, expert insight, and gripping deep dive investigations from across the world.


    A Daily Mail production.

    Seriously Popular.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
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All stars
Most relevant
Highly recommend. The podcast shares lots of detail in an unbiased and sensitive way.

Gripping and professionally produced

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Great pod cast, very well executed, informative, real truthful points made and produced well. But.....the two hosts are always interrupting guests, and each other. Let the guest speak and finish their sentace, rather than talking over them with another question while they are still explaining the current question. You both talk over each other also, and it's slightly annoying. wait, take a breath, let the other perolson finish, then ask another question. It's not difficult.

interruptions

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Some of the voice actors are quite corny and very amateur, but the overall presentation is good. The trial proceedings are explained clearly and respectfully. I wish they would explore the psychology behind Letby more, but maybe that is for a future episode.

Interesting listen

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A gripping listen and very well put together. However, presenters and actors (all apart from guest speakers) are monotone / flat and a little painful to listen to.
But totally appreciate this is not a performance but delivery of a sensitive topic and cannot be sensationalised.

Excellent podcast.

Well Presented.

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Very professional production with all the evidence presented without prejudice. The jury will have a tough job with this case which at times is a tough listen.

Gripping Listening

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