In this gripping episode, we delve into the chilling and complex story of Mary Ann Cotton, often cited as Britain's first female serial killer. Through an in-depth investigation using diverse sources such as YouTube videos, Wikipedia, true crime articles, and criminologist analyses, we unravel the life and alleged crimes of Mary Ann Cotton. Born Mary Ann Robson in 1832, her life was marked by tragedy, beginning with the death of her father in a mining accident. Her first marriage to William Mowbray set a disturbing pattern, with numerous suspicious deaths of her children and husbands, often resulting in insurance payouts and raising questions about potential arsenic poisoning—a common but hard-to-detect method at the time. Her fourth marriage to Frederick Cotton and subsequent suspicious deaths, including that of his son Charles, finally led to her arrest. Public and legal scrutiny intensified, culminating in a high-profile trial in 1873, where she was ultimately convicted of Charles' murder. Despite maintaining her innocence until her execution, her case exposed serious flaws in Victorian forensic science and life insurance practices. This episode explores not just the narrative of her alleged crimes but also the complex societal pressures and legal loopholes that may have facilitated her actions. As we dissect her motives and the broader implications of her story, we question whether Mary Ann Cotton was a villain shaped by her circumstances or the inherent darkness within her. Join us as we uncover the legacy of Mary Ann Cotton and its lasting impact on forensic science, public policy, and our understanding of human nature.
00:00 Introduction to Mary Ann Cotton
01:41 Mary Ann's Early Life and Tragic Childhood
02:48 Suspicious Deaths and Insurance Payouts
05:16 The Pattern of Poisoning
07:18 The Investigation Begins
09:10 The Trial of Mary Ann Cotton
12:02 Mary Ann Cotton's Chilling Courtroom Behavior
12:44 The Swift Verdict and Mary Ann's Reaction
13:43 The Execution: A Disturbing End
15:00 The Lingering Fascination with Mary Ann Cotton
18:11 The Impact on Forensic Science and Public Policy
22:31 Reflecting on Mary Ann Cotton's Legacy
About Crime Time Inc.
Crime Time Inc. is hosted by Tom and Simon—two ex-cops with decades of frontline experience and zero tolerance for fluff. Tom, a by-the-book former Deputy Chief Constable from Edinburgh, and Simon, a rule-bending ex-undercover cop from Glasgow, bring sharp insight, dark humour, and plenty of East vs. West banter to every episode.
Whether they’re revisiting cases they worked on, grilling fellow former officers, or picking apart narrated true crime stories, Tom and Simon don’t just talk about crime—they’ve lived it. Real cases. Real cops. Real talk.
Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/
If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.
Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.
http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
