‘Heartbreaking cases’ Top cop to reveal all on her career at Scottish CrimeCon
The real-life inspiration behind TV show Prime Suspect is set to speak at Glasgow crime convention, reveals
THERE are some cases which are hard to let go of even for tough ex-police officers.
And for former detective and the inspiration behind TV drama Prime Suspect with Dame Helen Mirren portraying the lead role of DCI Jane Tennison, it is no different.
Former Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Malton, who rose through the ranks of a male-dominated police force when she started out in the 1970s and worked on murder cases, serious assaults and also police corruption, still remembers the haunting case of an eight-year-old boy who disappeared more than 40 years ago.
“Every police officer has cases that stay with them,” said Malton. “Vishal Mehrotra is one of the names that I will never forget.”
It was day of the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer – July 29, 1981. Vishal was eight when he vanished in broad daylight.
He had playing near his home in southwest London when the nanny had taken him and his sister to get some sweets from a newsagent. She then watched as Vishal crossed the busy Upper Richmond Road safely to head home while she ran some errands with Mamta. It was 2pm. Vishal was never seen again.
His body was found five months later, but no-one was ever caught for his murder and it is a case that Malton will never forget – it remains in her heart.
She was reminded of the case during a link-up with a Scots police officer in connection with the deaths of three children in Edinburgh.
Malton, who will be appearing at the first-ever CrimeCon Glasgow next month, has already had some connections with her counterparts north of the Gorder.
She said: “When working on The Real Prime Suspect series, I liaised with retired detective David Swindle on the Peter Tobin case programme, and was so inspired by the work of [Lord Advocate] Dorothy Bain during that time – she’s brilliant. Again during my time on The Real Prime Suspect, I interviewed Diane Smith, the family liaison officer on the very sad case of Theresa Riggi, who killed her children. Totally heartbreaking case, it really was.”
Top female roles
MALTON broke through in her career, rising to the top at a time when there were few females in senior roles. Does she think Scotland is long overdue a female Chief Constable?
“Yes, of course I do – so needed in the current times especially,” Malton added.
CrimeCon, the world’s leading true crime event, is coming to Scotland for the first time next month. Hosted in Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel on September 10, it will see a line-up of leading experts come to the city to discuss all things true crime. Partnering with leading factual entertainment channel and true crime destination CBS Reality, CrimeCon Glasgow will bring together prominent law-enforcement representatives including former Detective Superintendent David Swindle, the man behind the Tobin investigation and arrest, former Chief Crown Prosecutor Nazir Afzal, who, during a 24-year-career prosecuted some of the most high-profile cases in the country, and Mark Williams-Thomas, who exposed Jimmy Savile as one of the nation’s worst-ever paedophiles.
Malton is delighted to be heading north for the first CrimeCon Glasgow. “I am so looking forward to it,” she said. “The concept of CrimeCon is phenomenal and I can’t wait.
“I love Glasgow too, it’s close to my heart.”
CrimeCon attendees will also hear from true crime TV personalities including Colin Sutton from The Real Manhunter as he talks about his investigation into the chilling case of Levi Bellfield. He will share insights from the investigation into the infamous serial killer who is now serving a life sentence for the murders of Milly Dowler, Amelie Delagrange and Marsha McDonnell. Also attending will be Vanessa Frake, former head of security and operations at Wormwood Scrubs.
Woodcut Media, one of the fastestgrowing independent and leading true crime producers in the UK, will present its TV brands as part of CrimeCon’s live experiences including a session on “Scotland’s Most Evil Killers”.
Across a one-day programme, CrimeCon Glasgow will welcome top-level
I am so looking forward to it. The concept of CrimeCon is phenomenal and I can’t wait. I love Glasgow too, it’s close to my heart
documentary makers, investigative journalists, popular podcasters, renowned criminologists and true crime authors. Tragically, the parents of two Scots killed abroad will come together for the first time at the event.
Craig Mallon was killed by a single lethal blow after being set upon outside a nightclub in Spain’s Lloret de Mar, while Kirsty Maxwell died after plunging 100 feet from the 10th floor of an apartment block in Benidorm while on a hen do.
Both Craig’s father Ian Mallon and Kirsty’s parents, Brian and Denise Curry, are still searching for answers.
They are being assisted by Victims Abroad, which was set up by retired detective Swindle, to help the cases move forward. Now the two families will meet in Glasgow at the crime convention. Mr Mallon said he hoped the families could find solace as well as sharing information that may help to get justice.
‘Empathetic’
NANCY Baughen, event director of CrimeCon UK, said: “Fans of true crime are not ghoulish, macabre fans of serial killers or psychopaths, but instead are sympathetic and empathetic fans of justice who are intrigued by the mysteries. We have hours of wideranging, compelling, and informative content. It’s a must-attend event for all true crime enthusiasts.”
It is 30 years since Prime Suspect appeared on our TV screens, becoming compelling viewing with Mirren and her menacing sidekick, actor Tom Bell. And it is 25 years since Malton retired from the force. She has recently brought out her memoir The Real Prime Suspect and has had time to look back on how the show made an impact.
“It changed my life completely, for the good,” she added. “It gave me a profile and it had a very loyal following. It opened a new world for me and allowed me a career following my career in the police force. I had no idea of the impact it was going to have – it was over 30 years ago now and it’s still inspirational to so many people, especially woman who want to join the police after watching it.”
CrimeCon Glasgow, in partnership with CBS Reality, takes place on Saturday, September 10 at Hilton Glasgow, 1 William Street, G3 8HT. For more information or to book tickets, visit: www.crimecon.co.uk