A Moment In Crime

This is the second part of a two-part A Moment In Crime special. Christchurch woman Nicola Flint told friends she was dying, even showing them the spot where her ashes would be scattered.  They grieved and gave thousands to help her fight cancer. But police say there is no evidence of any cancer diagnosis – and behind Flint's narrative, a web of forged medical letters, bank payouts and theft from a rugby club – fraud totalling more than $180,000.  Now, as Flint hides out in Wales from the fallout of her elaborate tales, Herald senior crime and justice journalist Anna Leask looks inside the alleged fraud and speaks to those hurt the most by her long-running cancer stories.  If you have information about Nicola Flint, contact anna.leask@nzme.co.nz READ MORE: Inside alleged Christchurch fraudster Nicola Flint’s elaborate, years-long cancer con Christchurch cancer fraud: Friend of Nicola Flint speaks out on lies A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Leask — who specialises in crime and justice reporting. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 20 years. This episode was produced by Leask and NZME audio engineer Alastair Boyes. If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz Since 2019, A Moment in Crime has produced over 55 episodes and has been downloaded over 1 million times, with listeners in over 170 countries. It was nominated for Best True Crime Podcast at the 2024 Radio and Podcast Awards.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2016, 77-year-old pensioner Brian Hilton was found on the floor of his Ōpōtiki home — brutally beaten, barely conscious, and covered in blood. He died five days later. Police launched a major homicide investigation, first zeroing in on one local man before turning their attention to another: Harry Matchitt. A beer bottle found in Hilton’s lounge carried Matchitt’s DNA, and after a series of police interviews, the lifelong Mongrel Mob member made a hazy admission — saying he was “pissed” and may have “pushed and kicked” the elderly man. In 2021, a jury found him guilty of manslaughter. But two years later, the Court of Appeal ruled his conviction unsafe. The judges found his statements to police likely inadmissible, meaning a miscarriage of justice had occurred. The conviction was quashed — and Matchitt walked free. In this episode of A Moment in Crime, senior journalists Anna Leask and Jared Savage revisit the violent death of Brian Hilton, the conviction that fell apart, and what became of Matchitt after the case collapsed. Savage also reflects on two decades covering crime and justice, and his work investigating New Zealand’s gang world. A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Leask — who specialises in crime and justice reporting. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 20 years. This episode was produced by Leask and NZME audio engineer Alastair Boyes. If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz Since 2019, A Moment in Crime has produced over 55 episodes and has been downloaded over 1 million times, with listeners in over 170 countries. It was nominated for Best True Crime Podcast at the 2024 Radio and Podcast Awards.   READ MORE: Harry Matchitt’s conviction for manslaughter of Brian Hilton in Ōpōtiki cold case quashed, case thrown out after ‘false confession’ to police Justice after 21 years in jail: Teina Pora 'set up for new life' after Privy Council quashes convictions for Susan Burdett murder Rex Haig dies before second bid for compensation made Real Life: Jared Savage on how gangs, crime and drug activity in NZ are evolvingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(Contains strong language and references to violence and sexual assault.) Before she was a convicted killer, Bronwyn Warwick was a child who never stood a chance. Growing up in a family that didn't understand or accept her and facing violence, addiction, and rejection, Warwick’s early years set the stage for a life defined by crime and chaos. In the first of two episodes about Warwick's life A Moment in Crime: Diary of a Killer senior crime and justice journalist Anna Leask delves into her complex past — from petty offending and time in youth facilities to the moments that shaped her identity as a transgender woman navigating an unforgiving system. Drawing from rare interviews, court records, and Warwick’s own prison diaries, this is the story of a person living on the margins, constantly running from pain and punishment. Before the world knew her name, Warwick was already fighting a losing battle — with herself, the law, and the world around her. READ MORE: A killer’s prison diary: Murderer Bronwyn Warwick on her life and times A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Leask — who specialises in crime and justice reporting. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 20 years. This episode was produced by Leask and NZME audio engineer Alastair Boyes. If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz Since 2019, A Moment in Crime has produced over 55 episodes and has been downloaded over 1 million times, with listeners in over 170 countries. It was nominated for Best True Crime Podcast at the 2024 Radio and Podcast Awards.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In December 2001, William Bell stormed into the Mt Wellington-Panmure Returned Services Association premises and brutally attacked four innocent people. Club president Bill Absolum, club member Wayne Johnson and cleaner Mary Hobson died. Susan Couch survived - just. Bell left the mother-of-one for dead with broken arms and severe head injuries that caused a stroke. She lost about 80 per cent of her blood and ambulance officers later said she came as close to dying as she could get. Bell was on parole at the time of the murders and already had 102 convictions. He was convicted of attempted murder, aggravated robbery and three counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 30 years. He is not eligible for parole December 2031. His getaway driver was a Darnell Tupe. He was convicted of manslaughter and aggravated robbery and sntenced to 12 years' with a seven-year minimum non-parole period. He is currently at large in the community after being released on parole.  In this month’s episode of Herald podcast A Moment In Crime senior journalist Anna Leask revisists the triple murder - explaining what led to Bell’s violent and callous offending and how the tragedy would never have happened if authorities had not missed a crucial opportunity to recall him to prison. chance to recall him to prison Leask also tells the stories of the victims and surivor - why they were at the RSA that awful day and what they meant to their family and friends. A Moment in Crime is available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released monthly. The series is written and hosted by senior crime and justice reporter Anna Leask. Leask has been with NZME since 2005 and has worked as a specialist journalist focussing on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz. Since 2019, A Moment in Crime has produced almost 70 episodes, and has been downloaded over 2 million times, with listeners in over 180 countries. Past cases covered include the Bain Family murders, Lauren Dickason, James Wallace, the Heavenly Creatures case, and Grace Millane. It was nominated for Best True Crime Podcast at the 2024 Radio and Podcast Awards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On June 13, Chinese national Tingjun Cao was jailed for life for the murder of Christchurch real estate agent and mother Yanfei Bao. Bao, 44, was stabbed to death in July 2023 and buried in a shallow grave on a farm outside Christchurch. She was not found for more than a year. The crime shocked New Zealand and this month on Herald podcast A Moment In Crime senior journalist and host Anna Leask tells the story of Yanfei and her killer. In this episode Leask goes inside the courtroom to Cao’s sentencing and you will hear from the detective who led the investigation into his awful offending. It is graphic in parts and may be upsetting. This podcast explores crime not for shock value, but for clarity — to understand what happened, why, and what it means. True crime is not entertainment — it's a responsibility. I tell crime stories with one goal in mind: to centre the victims, uncover the full story, and examine how justice is pursued — or denied. This episode was produced by Leask, NZME audio engineer Alastair Boyes and Ethan Sills. READ MORE: Yanfei Bao murder: Capturing a killer and the 375-day hunt for missing Christchurch real estate agent Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao’s murderer sentenced after disruptive, angry court outbursts  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Youth crime is a constant issue in New Zealand – and in the last few years, stories of ram raids, violent attacks and spree offending have dominated the headlines. Successive governments have tried to tackle the problem – introducing various policies, programs and plans and even changing legislation. There has been some success, but for some youth offenders, it seems there is nothing anyone can say or do to stop their often terrifying and relentless behaviour. In this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask examines the life of one of hte country's worst youth offenders - Paddy. She also speaks with Principal Youth Court Judge Ida Malosi about the issues around young offenders, how they can be stopped and who is responsible.  To read more about Paddy click here. The series is written and hosted by Leask – who specialises in crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 19 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz. A Moment in Crime is available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released monthly.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony John Wheble is not as well-known as many of the criminals previously covered by A Moment in Crime - but he is considered of New Zealand’s most violent criminals. He has been in prison for more than a decade and he is serving as sentence with no end date, due to the severity and nature of his crimes.  Wheble has tried to kill two fellow inmates with shanks - one who was confined to a wheelchair at the time with both legs in casts.   The impression you get from the news stories and from the court decisions published about his years of offending is tha Anthony Wheble is a menace, someone who needs to be locked up for as long as possible.   But there are people who will tell you that is not the case, that prison is the worst environment for Wheble, that he is unwell and needs a significant level of help.   In this episode, Anna Leask explores the story of Anthony Wheble - who he is, what he has done and why he may never be released from prison, and speaks to his mum and another of his supporters about their mission to save him. The series is written and hosted by Leask – who specialises in crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 19 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz. A Moment in Crime is available on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released monthly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 19 years I have been a crime and justice reporter I have told countless stories about offending in New Zealand - who is behind it, who is hurt by it and the lasting impact.  I’ve covered a lot of the really high-profile cases during that time - including more than 130 murders, and dozens upon dozens of prosecutions and trials for manslaughter, sexual assaults and abuse, domestic violence and child abuse.  I’ve also written a lot about our country's most enduring cold cases and best-known historic crimes. In today’s episode of A Moment In Crime I wanted to take you back through some of the other cases I have written about. These cases may not have dominated the headlines for as long or as widely as others - but they are cases I think about often and they are all important cases on New Zealand’s crime timeline.  Some of the stories I will tell you in this episode are graphic, and others refer to sexual violence and or child abuse. This episode is intended for a mature audience.  If there is a case you would like to hear more about in a future episode, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz READ MORE ABOUT THE CASES IN THIS EPISODE: No parole for recidivist sex offender Johnathon Smallbon HIV positive child sex offender paroled, takes on new identity Exclusive: West Auckland children lived 'like caged animals' in 'despicable and sickening' neglect case Revealed: Xi Wang brutally stabbed to death by ex as she held her 2yo son in her arms DO YOU NEED HELP? FAMILY VIOLENCEWomen's Refuge: Crisis line - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 (available 24/7) Shine: Helpline - 0508 744 633 (available 24/7)Shakti: Specialist services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children: Crisis line - 0800 742 584 (available 24/7) MENTAL HEALTH Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7) Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7) Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234 Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7) Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call or text 1737 SEXUAL HARM If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7 - call 0800 044 334 text 4334 or email support@safetotalk.nzAlternatively, contact your local police station.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is not a rare occurrence for teachers to be investigated or charged with sexual offending against the children and young people they are supposed to be educating, guiding and nurturing. But some cases are significantly worse than other and in this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask recalls the three sex offending teachers who have caused New Zealand kids the most harm. The cases of Jaime Cooney, Paul Herrick and James Robertson are among the wrost offenders - in terms of how the abuse played out, the number of victims and how long the offending was taking place. And in all three cases, these predators could have been stopped much earlier. There were glaring red flags and concerns were raised both formally and informally with police and other authorities. But for various reasons these offenders remained free and able to continue violating and abusing innocent children. In today’s episode of A Moment In Crime Leask outlines how the sexual predators were caught, how they were dealt with by the justice system and where they are now. You will also hear from Parker - what he told the Parole Board in 2024 about his disgusting offending. This episode of A Moment In Crime tells the story of significant sexual offending and abuse and is intended for a mature audience. See below information on where to get help or advice. READ MORE: Blenheim sex abuse teacher: Anatomy of a scandal Predator principal's career of sex crimes and silencing Kaitāia’s paedophile teacher James Parker refused parole DO YOU NEED HELP?If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7: Call 0800 044 334Text 4334Email support@safetotalk.nzFor more information visit safetotalk.nz If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2023 South African doctor Lauren Anne Dickason was found guilty of murdering her daughters Liane, 6, and 2-year-old twins Maya and Karla at their Timaru home. She and her husband Graham - an ortopaedic surgeon - had emigrated to New Zealand just weeks earlier seeking a better, safer life for their young children. Dickason killed the little girls 20 minutes after her husband left for a work function. He found the siblings dead in their beds when he arrived home. Dickason admitted smothering the children but claimed she was so mentally unwell she could not be held criminally responsible for their deaths. After an exhaustive five-week trial last year, a jury rejected her defence of insanity or infanticide and convicted the woman of murder. In this episode of A Moment In Crime senior journalist Anna Leask looks back at the murders and the aftermath. Leask covered the story from the day the girls died, attending every day of Dickasons high profile trial and her later sentencing. The Dickason Family Tragedy is told in two parts. In part one Leask goes into the family's background and what brought them to New Zealand, as well as what happened that awful day in 2021. Part two will focus on Dickason's trial, sentencing and what it was like inside the courtroom at pivotal moments. It will be release a week after part one. The double episode contains descriptions of the Dickason children's deaths and also refer to mental health, self harm, pregnancy loss and fertility issues. Both parts of A Moment In Crime - The Dickason Family Tragedy are intended for mature audiences. To read Leask's full coverage of the case click here. DO YOU NEED HELP OR ADVICE? • Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)• Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)• Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737 If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To mark the 30 year anniversary of the mass killing A Moment In Crime presents The House of Bain, a two-part telling of the case. On June 20 1994 Margaret and Robin Bain, their teenage daughters Arawa and Laniet and son Stephen were all shot dead in the family home at 65 Every Street, Dunedin. Just after 7am David Bain - Margaret and Robin's oldest child - called emergency services to report the ghastly scene. He said he had come home from his morning paper run and found them all dead. Days later Bain was charged with five counts of murder and after a high-profile trial a jury found him guilty. He maintained his innocence and fought for decades for a retrial, which finally went ahead in 2007. A second jury acquitted Bain, finding him not guilty of the five murders. The case is arguably New Zealand's most talked about massacre and over the years has become morbidly iconic. In the second part of House of Bain, you will hear more from Bain in his own words on his legal battle. The lawyer who represented him most recently also speaks about the case and its aftermath. Host Anna Leask speaks to people involved in the case and those with expert opinions on why Bain and the grisly event have become embedded in New Zealand culture. CLICK HERE for further New Zealand Herald coverage of this case A Moment In Crime is an NZME podcast written and hosted by Anna Leask, senior crime and justice reporter for the New Zealand Herald. The podcast is written and hosted by Leask. It is produced by Leask, NZME audio engineer James Irwin and podcast production manager Ethan Sills. A number of key players in the case had their words voiced by actors - Glenn Dwight as David Bain and Tory McArthur as the juror from the second trial. NZME audio engineer Tash Chittock assisted with recording. In this episode television news reports that featured on various iterations of 6pm news bulletins on TVNZ and NewsHub have been referenced..These are mostly taken from court coverage, which can still be found on YouTube. If you have a crime or case you’d like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1954 Christchurch woman Honorah Parker was murdered while on a walk in the Port Hills. The culprits? Her daughter Pauline, 15 and best friend Juliet Hulme, 16. With “animal ferocity” they hit her over and over again with a brick inside a stocking. Police would later say the 46-year-old had been “battered to pieces”. After a controversial trial, the teens were found guilty of murder - a jury rejecting their claims of insanity. In this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask looks back at the crime, the trial, the aftermath and speaks exclusively to Juliet Hulme's brother about why he wants the convictions amended to reflect his sister's lifetime of insanity. This episode is accompanied by a full feature about the case - click here to read the story. This episode references Canterbury crime author Peter Graham's book about the case, So Brilliantly Clever, the documentary Anne Perry Interiors which is available to rent or buy in New Zealand on AppleTV and author Ian Rankin's documentary Evil Thoughts, which aired in 2002 and can be found in part on YouTube. A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Anna Leask, senior crime and justice journalist for the New Zealand Herald. It is produced by Leask, NZME audio engineer James Irwin and podcast production manager Ethan Stills. South Island head of news Kurt Bayer oversaw this project, the voice of Pauline Parker's diary was provided by NewstalkZB reporter Emily Ansell and some of the audio recording was undertaken by NZME video journalist George Heard. Special thanks to Jonathan Hulme, Nigel Hampton KC and Professor Warren Brookbanks for their insight and in put into this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.