Police podcast aims to crack mystery of van driver’s killing

A POLICE force has produced its own true crime podcast in an attempt to crack an unsolved murder 23 years ago.

Derbyshire Constabulary has teamed up with podcasters to create the 64-minute episode about the murder of Michael Pritchard.

Mr Pritchard, a 54-year-old delivery driver, was dragged to his death in November 1997 as he tried to stop thieves taking his van in Kirk Langley.

He stood in front of the vehicle as it was driven away at speed and he was killed instantly.

Despite one of Derbyshire Police’s biggest ever manhunts and a string of high-profile appeals over the years, the killer has never been caught.

Now, the case will be coming under the scrutiny of internet sleuths as part of a new True Crime Investigators UK podcast.

Presented by John and Sally Midgley, both retired police officers, it features an interview with Mr Pritchard’s widow, Hilary, and contributions from senior officers. Mr Midgley worked on the original murder investigation.

Det Ch Insp Paul Tatlow, who is leading on the ongoing investigation, said: “It’s new ground for us but we know how popular true crime podcasts are and we’re able to share our appeal to as vast an audience as possible.

“Someone out there knows who killed Michael. They may have stayed silent due to fear, or loyalty. But loyalties change. People change.”

The podcast can be downloaded from www.truecrimeinvestigators.co.uk as well as streaming platforms.