A Moment In Crime

A Moment In Crime

From the NZ Herald newsroom comes A Moment in Crime - a podcast delving into some of New Zealand’s biggest cases. Anna Leask has been a crime and justice reporter at the Herald for more than a decade. Each month she'll take you inside some of our most infamous incidents, notorious offenders and behind the scenes of high profile trials and events to show you what’s really happening in your backyard.

  1. 12 FEB

    Sick or twisted? The story of violent offender Anthony Wheble

    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.

    1 hr
  2. 8 JAN

    Bad cops: New Zealand's deviant, murderous and offending police officers

    From the start of 2021 to November 2023 a total of 333 police staff - constabulary and non-sworn - were investigated for alleged criminal offending. The constabulary includes all of those from recruits right up to senior inspectors and top cops. Non sworn staff are in admin or support roles within the organisation. Of those investigated, 89 were charged. In some cases, employees faced multiple charges. They have murdered and raped people. They have stolen and lied. They’ve bought and sold drugs. They have abused children. They’ve assaulted their partners. They have been violent. They have tried to pervert the course of justice. Instead of upholding the law as their job requires - these men and women were breaking it. Here, A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask looks at memorable examples of crooked cop staff brought to justice by their workmates since the early 2010s. 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 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. READ MORE: 'Sex predator' police officer sentenced for indecent relationship with 13yo girl Bad cops: Tax evasion, murder, fraud and assaults on list of convictions for NZ police FIND JARED SAVAGE'S BOOKS HERE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    59 min
  3. 11/12/2024

    Monsters among us: Ghastly tales of lesser known Kiwi crimes and criminals

    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.

    59 min
  4. 25/09/2024

    Bad teachers: New Zealand's most prolific sex offending educators revealed

    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.

    1h 23m

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About

From the NZ Herald newsroom comes A Moment in Crime - a podcast delving into some of New Zealand’s biggest cases. Anna Leask has been a crime and justice reporter at the Herald for more than a decade. Each month she'll take you inside some of our most infamous incidents, notorious offenders and behind the scenes of high profile trials and events to show you what’s really happening in your backyard.

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