Families slam BBC over murder documentary
THE families of two former boxers – executed as they sat in a car – have dubbed the BBC ‘parasites’ for screening an in-depth crime scene documentary on the murders.
They have accused the corporation of riding roughshod over their emotions in a bid to cash in on the deaths of Brian McIntosh and Will Henry.
“Money and ratings, that’s what it’s been reduced to,” said Mr McIntosh’s father, Eddie.
The terrible crime is to be the subject of an episode of BBC Two’s Forensics: The Real CSI.
It will be aired on December 6 – despite the families contacting their MP, West Midlands Police’s chief constable and the region’s crime commissioner in a bid to have the show scrapped.
The pair were shot by Jonathan Houseman after being lured to a Brierley Hill industrial estate.
The 33-year-old killer, now serving 40 years, killed the pair, who ran a successful waste clearance business, to wriggle free from a £400,000 debt. His association with his victims in business WJB Skips sowed the seeds for murder.
Mr Henry, aged 31, was hit twice as he sat in the Range Rover. Mr McIntosh, aged 29 and father to Carter, aged four, and 10-year-old Enzo, was
hit four times in the face and neck.
The families of both victims said they were only made aware of The Real CSI’s involvement five months after the shootings – and immediately protested.
They are furious that a TV crew was privy to more information about the killings than they received.
In a statement, Mr McIntosh’s parents Eddie and Tina said: “As a family we are absolutely disgusted that our concerns around the episode of my son and his best friend’s executions have not be listened to by Blast Productions, the BBC, Chief Constable and the Crime Commissioner.
“As a family we were in total shock and immediately told officers that we did not want this episode aired and asked what right did they have to do this without the families’ permission. We were told that we did not have a say.
“We were absolutely disgusted by what we were being told which was adding more stress to us as a family as we had the murder trial approaching.
“We have been in contact with Blast and have told them that we do not want this episode aired. We have had a zoom call with Blast which was very emotional and upsetting. Blast said they listen to the families, but clearly they do not as they still are going ahead with this episode.
“Blast says it is in the public interest. Why would my son’s execution be in the public’s interest?
“Blast also say that the murders are in the public domain. They are, but the graphic detail of my son and William’s murder, which this show thinks is acceptable to put out there, is not. This is causing our family undue stress and heartache.”
The Post understands the BBC has taken the decision not to promote the programme. It will be shown post watershed.
A spokesperson said: “We extend our sympathies to the families of the victims of this terrible crime.
“The production team have been in contact with them to explain that this episode sensitively follows the work of those involved in the investigation, which has been widely covered as a significant news story in the West Midlands.
“The investigation that led to the conviction of Jonathan Houseman was a particularly complex and high profile case for West Midlands Police, involving multiple departments, whose combined work ensured that a dangerous criminal was brought to justice and secured a conviction against him.
“We believe it is strongly in the public interest to help our audiences understand the vital work of the police and justice system.”