New true crime series to explore two north east Wales cases

A ‘true crime’ television programme is set to explore two north east Wales criminal cases in its upcoming series.

The ITV Wales ‘Crime Files’ returns next week for a third series, with host Andrea Byrne delving into evidence from more of Wales’ most intriguing and shocking criminal cases; along with exclusive access to police files and interviews with suspects.

One episode will look at how new DNA techniques helped convict a man of raping and killing 15 year old Flint school girl Janet Commins – even though another man had spent six years in prison for the crime.

DNA samples taken from Stephen Hough in 2016 were found to match DNA taken at the crime scene in 1976 and stored for 40 years.

Hough, 59 was jailed for 12 years in July 2017 for the rape and manslaughter of the teenager.

Other cases include the murder of Barry teenager Conner Marshall in Porthcawl’s Trecco Bay in 2015 and the stabbing of Mark Mason from Rhyl in October 2016. There, forensic evidence and remarkable fingerprint analysis led detectives to the perpetrators.

Another programme looks back to the infamous Moors Murders and features a Welsh detective who is still haunted by the case after coming face to face with killers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.

News reports often only reveal a certain amount about a case due to legal restrictions,” said Andrea.

“We report on the crime when it happens and then we report the trial and the result.”

“What we don’t find out in detail is the intricate methods used by the police to crack the case
and how they made their breakthrough.

“That’s why this series of Crime Files has been particularly fascinating. It’s giving us access to revealing police tapes and new forensic evidence.

“It’s a remarkable watch.“

The first episode will air on ITV Cymru Wales at 8pm on Monday 20th August.