Original subtitles

The following programme contains descriptions of real-life violence

and scenes which some viewers may find distressing.

and scenes which some viewers may find distressing.

Until this week, the village of Much Marcle,

population 600, was best known for wild daffodils

population 600, was best known for wild daffodils

and cider.

Now, thanks to one of its sons, it seems set to attain

international notoriety.

international notoriety.

It's entirely the wrong kind of image,

and the local people here don't like it.

Everybody knew Fred

Everybody knew Fred

in the village

and we were absolutely disgusted what's happened.

We're really all concerned, really concerned about it,

We're really all concerned, really concerned about it,

because there's a lot here that did know him.

Police in Gloucester have discovered human remains

in the home of Fred West, the Gloucester man

who is at the centre of the so-called House of Horrors investigation.

who is at the centre of the so-called House of Horrors investigation.

It's horrible to think that there are, you know,

dead bodies in a garden just down the road, its... it's just

dead bodies in a garden just down the road, its... it's just

thoroughly disgusting.

(WOMAN) The public couldn't believe it,

sheer disbelief. Nothing had been seen like this before.

Here it was, you were facing your worst nightmares.

I've been told that there might be 12 people. D'you know what I mean, where does it end?

(MAN) I think Fred West perfected his technique of seduction

(MAN) I think Fred West perfected his technique of seduction

and capturing young women in Glasgow.

But people forgot about the Scottish connection.

But people forgot about the Scottish connection.

As the gruesome toll of bodies mounts in Gloucestershire,

detectives throughout the country are looking closely

at their missing person files. There can hardly be a family with a missing girl

at their missing person files. There can hardly be a family with a missing girl

that isn't wondering whether their loved one might be involved.

The oxygen of publicity that was generated by the story,

so much of it was taken up by Fred West himself.

And sadly, many, many of the women who lost their lives,

And sadly, many, many of the women who lost their lives,

their stories have got lost,

their voices have gone unheard.

How did it happen? How did he get away with it?

How does any young lass... end up murdered?

How does any young lass... end up murdered?

So this is media packs that were given out to the media

at the Cromwell Street investigation.

at the Cromwell Street investigation.

Pictures of Fred and Rose.

These are sketch plans that were made of 25 Cromwell Street.

I was part of the team that went to 25 Cromwell Street in 1994.

I was part of the team that went to 25 Cromwell Street in 1994.

The investigation started because of concerns raised by social services

The investigation started because of concerns raised by social services

after comments made by Fred West's children

that if you were naughty you would end up underneath the patio, like Heather.

that if you were naughty you would end up underneath the patio, like Heather.

Heather was Fred and Rose's eldest daughter,

and Heather was missing, that was confirmed.

and Heather was missing, that was confirmed.

We couldn't find her, we couldn't trace her,

there was no footprints of her at all.

The police began to excavate the rear gardens and human remains were found.

Fred was then under arrest, and he admitted to killing Heather.

Fred was then under arrest, and he admitted to killing Heather.

But what was found was three thigh bones.

And of course that would be indicative of the fact

there was more than one victim.

there was more than one victim.

Fred could not remember the names of these victims.

So it was clear that we needed to delve right back into his own early life

So it was clear that we needed to delve right back into his own early life

and to produce a timeline to show his movements.

Part of that investigation revealed that for a period of his life

Fred lived up in Glasgow, and that Fred had been married

Fred lived up in Glasgow, and that Fred had been married

to Catherine Costello, also known as Rena.

What we discovered was that Rena left Fred,

What we discovered was that Rena left Fred,

and she was last seen in 1971, when she went to visit Fred's dad

and she was last seen in 1971, when she went to visit Fred's dad

on his farm, and that, for all intents and purposes,

returned to Scotland.

A lot of this information came from Fred himself.

And of course any information from any suspects

is to be treated with a degree of caution.

is to be treated with a degree of caution.

So the enquiry then focused on trying to find Rena.

Let's find exactly what she knows about Fred,

Let's find exactly what she knows about Fred,

and so missing posters were created and put up in and around Scotland

some 25 years after she was last seen.

some 25 years after she was last seen.

(STATION ANNOUNCER OVER P.A.)

(STATION ANNOUNCER OVER P.A.)

Detectives leading the bodies in the garden enquiry

in Gloucestershire are becoming extremely concerned

about a Lanarkshire woman and her daughter.

about a Lanarkshire woman and her daughter.

Rena Costello used to live in Hospital Street in Coatbridge,

from where our crime correspondent Geoff Brown now reports live.

Nothing has been heard of Rena Costello

Nothing has been heard of Rena Costello

or her daughter Charmaine for the best part of 20 years,

and despite a nationwide appeal, neither of them has been in touch.

and despite a nationwide appeal, neither of them has been in touch.

(WOMAN) How you doing, you OK? - I'm fine.Are you ready? - Yeah, OK.

(WOMAN) How you doing, you OK? - I'm fine.Are you ready? - Yeah, OK.

I'm Sandra Brown, and I grew up in Coatbridge,

born in 1949, so that's me now in my early seventies.

born in 1949, so that's me now in my early seventies.

Coatbridge, which is on the outskirts of Glasgow,

Coatbridge, which is on the outskirts of Glasgow,

big ironworks, steelworks-type town.

The joke was that Motherwell was a steel and coal town,

but Coatbridge was stealing coal, was the thing they were good at.

but Coatbridge was stealing coal, was the thing they were good at.

That's just a wee joke.

I remember growing up with a lot of affection,

I remember growing up with a lot of affection,

people being pretty much the salt of the earth.

People did their best, but we really had very, very little.

People did their best, but we really had very, very little.

But you didn't... you didn't know it,

because everybody was in the same boat,

you didn't realise you were poor.

This is what I looked like, probably, when I first met Rena.

This is what I looked like, probably, when I first met Rena.

I was just that wee five-year-old, and there I am

with my father on a sunny day trip in Scotland, to the Trossachs,

with my father on a sunny day trip in Scotland, to the Trossachs,

and very innocent then of everything that was ahead.

Rena Costello's dad and my father were friendly.

She was definitely older than me.

She was definitely older than me.

I mean, you know, she would be nine or ten.

Rena was one of a big family, but her mother Mary

left with a boyfriend when actually Rena was quite young.

left with a boyfriend when actually Rena was quite young.

And in fact, her father Eddie was left to bring up the children.

And in fact, her father Eddie was left to bring up the children.

I remember her eyes really clearly. Quite ... quite almondy.

I remember her eyes really clearly. Quite ... quite almondy.

Quite... striking.

Rena was one of the big girls.

She was one of... there were three or four of them,

but she always stuck out because she was very kind.

but she always stuck out because she was very kind.

She showed us how to lift the... you know, when the dandelion's dead,

and, you know, blow.

and, you know, blow.

And then she taught us, you know,

Mary, Queen of Scots got her head chopped off

at... one... two.

at... one... two.

(CHILDREN CHANTING)

She was quite feisty and fun. The Scottish word is gallus.

She was quite feisty and fun. The Scottish word is gallus.

I just remember probably a wee bit of hero worship, I think.

I just remember probably a wee bit of hero worship, I think.

I recall hearing that she was a troubled teen,

I recall hearing that she was a troubled teen,

that she'd given the family some trouble.

It was bother she'd got into, and her family turned their back on her.

But you know, I really have to go back and think,

But you know, I really have to go back and think,

what on earth, you know, made her go off the rails the way she did?

You know.

(REPORTER) This is how Rena Costello might look today.

(REPORTER) This is how Rena Costello might look today.

It's over 20 years since she's last been seen

and it's always assumed she's still alive.

And that's the big question.

And that's the big question.

In the initial stages of the investigation,

we became aware of Rena offending in Glasgow.

She first came to the notice of the police when she was a 11 year-old

She first came to the notice of the police when she was a 11 year-old

for a minor theft.

Some years later she was cautioned for prostitution

and shortly after that, she was arrested for attempted burglary

and shortly after that, she was arrested for attempted burglary

and was convicted for that offence,

and was sentenced to 17 months' imprisonment

and was sentenced to 17 months' imprisonment

in a borstal institution.

So it strikes me that Rena was somebody

So it strikes me that Rena was somebody

who's extremely vulnerable, and in that vulnerability

is going to be open to all sorts of suggestion

and promises, and coercion, from somebody

and promises, and coercion, from somebody

who is going to promise to take care of her, look after her,

and provide for her needs.

and provide for her needs.

(REPORTER) They worked into the night

at 25 Cromwell Street, digging methodically and urgently,

fearful almost of what they might find.

fearful almost of what they might find.

Frederick West has already been charged with the murder of his daughter.

Tonight he was charged with two others,

including that of Shirley Robinson, a former lodger.

including that of Shirley Robinson, a former lodger.

His third alleged victim has not been identified.

Excavations have continued in Cromwell Street...

Excavations have continued in Cromwell Street...

I recall quite clearly

John Bennett calling the team together at the evening briefing.

He said to everybody to finish then and there,

He said to everybody to finish then and there,

go home,

spend the evening with your family, because from the following day onwards

spend the evening with your family, because from the following day onwards

you were going to see very little of them.

(WOMAN) Was he right? Yeah, he was right.

(WOMAN) Was he right? Yeah, he was right.

Yeah.

Police have found the remains of two more bodies

in the garden of a house in Gloucester.

(REPORTER) The dismembered bodies haven't yet been formally identified,

(REPORTER) The dismembered bodies haven't yet been formally identified,

although Gloucester police have already contacted

local families to prepare them for the worst.

(REPORTER) Neighbours watched as their normally quiet streets

(REPORTER) Neighbours watched as their normally quiet streets

became the centre of Gloucestershire's biggest murder enquiry.

Most said they couldn't believe what was happening.

Most said they couldn't believe what was happening.

Some brought flowers.

My name is Dr. Jane Carter Woodrow,

My name is Dr. Jane Carter Woodrow,

I am a writer and criminologist.

I really was very reluctant to even go near this case.

I really was very reluctant to even go near this case.

I didn't want that in my head.

When I had to listen, and people told me

When I had to listen, and people told me

the things that had happened to them during this,

it was ... it was so sad.

Once you see all those black boxes going out,

Once you see all those black boxes going out,

and you know there is going to be bones in there,

and human remains, then of course everybody was there,

and human remains, then of course everybody was there,

and it became, not just a national, but international story.

(JAPANESE)

(JAPANESE)

In Gloucester, Chris Reason, 7 Nightly News, Australia.

As they pulled these remains out,

As they pulled these remains out,

the police could see

that the victims had been tortured

and treated in the most horrendous ways.

and treated in the most horrendous ways.

These remains had to be identified,

which involved dental records, and people coming forward

which involved dental records, and people coming forward

who'd had a child disappear. It was just unbelievable.

Detectives in Gloucester who have uncovered a seventh body

Detectives in Gloucester who have uncovered a seventh body

at a house in the town say attempts to trace

a missing Scottish woman have so far drawn a blank.

Our priorities, obviously, in this case really are

Our priorities, obviously, in this case really are

to try and sort out everything at Cromwell Street. As part of that,

we need to talk to all members of the West family,

so it is important that we find Catherine Costello and speak to her about the family.

so it is important that we find Catherine Costello and speak to her about the family.

After she left the borstal, still very, very young,

After she left the borstal, still very, very young,

Rena was able to work on the local buses.

My father was very much a Baxter's bus driver,

My father was very much a Baxter's bus driver,

well known on various routes.

And what I can say to you is in the '60s

it was a hotbed of affairs.

it was a hotbed of affairs.

Women had to leave when they were getting married,

so conductresses tended to be young girls in their teens.

so conductresses tended to be young girls in their teens.

Certainly on Baxter's Buses where my dad worked,

it almost was a case of they had their pick of young, single girls.

it almost was a case of they had their pick of young, single girls.

So for Rena to only be in her mid-teens,

So for Rena to only be in her mid-teens,

to be working in that environment, would have been pretty hair-raising.

When Rena was working on the buses, she fell pregnant

by an Asian bus driver that she'd been working with.

by an Asian bus driver that she'd been working with.

For Rena to become pregnant at that stage would have been catastrophic.

For Rena to become pregnant at that stage would have been catastrophic.

You know, the biblical expression is

she would be seen as a fallen woman.

As far as her family were concerned, she'd broken about three taboos.

She was a young, single, teenage girl.

She was a young, single, teenage girl.

She was a Catholic girl.

And she'd had an affair with a man of a different race.

And she'd had an affair with a man of a different race.

And it might explain why she felt she just wanted to go south

and get away from everything.

and get away from everything.

So Jean, tell me about Catherine Costello, or Rena as she was known.

I knew her as Cath.

I remember her first come into the town. I thought,

I remember her first come into the town. I thought,

Oh God, who's this? You know. Is it..?

That kind of thing, that kind of town, you know, it was only small then.

That kind of thing, that kind of town, you know, it was only small then.

We lived for the youth club. Oh, we all used to meet up

and we'd dance there,

and we'd dance there,

and a couple of times I'd seen her there.

I think she was a year or two older than me.

She had bleach-blonde hair,

She had bleach-blonde hair,

I don't think it was natural,

it was very blonde.

I think a few of us were in awe of her, I was.

Not fearful of her, but she was very feisty

Not fearful of her, but she was very feisty

and loud, you know, as me and my friends were pretty quiet.

It was like, wow. Take your breath away.

Like a storm.

Something happened when I had reason to thank Cath.

Something happened when I had reason to thank Cath.

It's 1962 and... there was this young lad. Well,

my age, 14.

my age, 14.

And he used to keep pestering me to go out with him.

And I was like, go away and leave me alone.

And I was like, go away and leave me alone.

He was pushing me against the wall, and punching me.

Nobody took a blind bit of notice. And I'm crying now.

Nobody took a blind bit of notice. And I'm crying now.

I'm really crying and shouting at him.

Then he's got his bike, and he pinned me against the pub wall with his bike.

Then he's got his bike, and he pinned me against the pub wall with his bike.

All of a sudden, I heard the sash window upstairs go up.

"Oi, you down there! What do you think you're doing?"

"Oi, you down there! What do you think you're doing?"

Who was it? Cath.

"Leave her alone, you bully!" and choice words,

words I'd never heard before.

words I'd never heard before.

But it didn't do any good. Next thing, like a bat out of hell,

who's come round the corner, but Catherine.

who's come round the corner, but Catherine.

She just got the bike, and literally threw it at him.

She went, "Come with me. Come with me, lass. Come on."

Took me upstairs, bathed me knees. Bless her. Oh.

Took me upstairs, bathed me knees. Bless her. Oh.

I don't know why I didn't fight him. I think I was...

...frightened to hit back.

...frightened to hit back.

You know, when you're being bullied a bit. Whereas Catherine,

You know, when you're being bullied a bit. Whereas Catherine,

no way, you're not doing that to her. "I won't tolerate that," she said.

"I've had a lifetime of that." She said, "I'm not having it anymore."

"I've had a lifetime of that." She said, "I'm not having it anymore."

I liked her instantly. She didn't give a damn.

I liked her instantly. She didn't give a damn.

Told me she was pregnant and... "Oh, are you?" I said.

"Aren't you frightened?" "No," she said. "Cos I'm getting married."

"Aren't you frightened?" "No," she said. "Cos I'm getting married."

I said, "Oh, that's lovely." "Oh," I said, "thank God."

You know. I said, "Could you go home?"

You know. I said, "Could you go home?"

"No way," she said. "But I'm getting married, and I'm happy."

She was really happy.

Bless her.

Her boyfriend was Fred West.

I mean, we all knew Fred.

I mean, we all knew Fred.

He was a good-looking fella, you know, for our times.

Always said hello. Well mannered.

Always said hello. Well mannered.

Nice guy. Really nice.

I mean, sometimes I'd go walking with my mum

near around by where they lived, and they'd be in the fields,

and we'd wave, "Alright, love,"

and we'd wave, "Alright, love,"

you know, waving and... just like anybody else.

I remember Mum saying, "Oh, good-looking couple, aren't they?"

I remember Mum saying, "Oh, good-looking couple, aren't they?"

And I went, "Yeah." They were. Handsome.

Probably me and a few girls fancied him a bit. You know.

Probably me and a few girls fancied him a bit. You know.

I remember the time when I was at school.

Kitty, Fred West's sister,

Kitty, Fred West's sister,

had become pregnant...

...which was unbelievable.

...which was unbelievable.

I mean, she was probably only 13 or 14.

We said, "Well, you know, what's your boyfriend say?"

"Ooh, she said, "it was not me boyfriend." She said,

"It's me brother."

Just... what?!

Just... what?!

"We did it most afternoons," she said.

"Because, me brother said, because... because he's my brother,

"Because, me brother said, because... because he's my brother,

I can't get pregnant." She said, "But I am."

You know, we didn't believe her.

You know, we didn't believe her.

I don't think we ever blamed Fred for anything,

because he was just so nice.

You wouldn't think that that could happen.

You wouldn't think that that could happen.

So we just thought, no, she's making it all up.

Probably had a fling with some lad, you know, and blaming her brother for it.

Probably had a fling with some lad, you know, and blaming her brother for it.

In 1961 an investigation took place involving Fred having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

In 1961 an investigation took place involving Fred having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

The offence that was being investigated was rape,

and that 13-year-old child turned out to be Fred's sister, Kitty.

and that 13-year-old child turned out to be Fred's sister, Kitty.

As a result of the investigation into Fred's activity,

what became apparent was that Fred had an unhealthy interest in young girls

what became apparent was that Fred had an unhealthy interest in young girls

and that he didn't see it was a problem having sex with the young girls.

and that he didn't see it was a problem having sex with the young girls.

However, when the trial took place, Kitty refused to give evidence,

and as a result, Fred was acquitted.

How much support could have been given to Kitty

to ensure that she provided evidence?

There wasn't the follow-up from social services as there would be now.

If that were better, then Fred may have been caught earlier.

If that were better, then Fred may have been caught earlier.

Fred and Rena was married at Ledbury in November 1962.

Shortly afterwards, Fred and Rena went to Scotland to live.

Shortly afterwards, Fred and Rena went to Scotland to live.

Rena's family probably saw Fred West coming into the picture

Rena's family probably saw Fred West coming into the picture

as astonishing, and maybe even a stroke of luck.

Because there she was, she was a young, single, teenage mum,

Because there she was, she was a young, single, teenage mum,

and here you had a guy who seemed to be prepared

and here you had a guy who seemed to be prepared

to give her a good life. Her family were probably thinking,

thank goodness.

The search goes on for Catherine Costello.

Her family hope for the best, but fear Rena Costello has been murdered.

Only living in hope, day by day, hoping that she is not among them,

Only living in hope, day by day, hoping that she is not among them,

and we're trying all kind of ways to get in contact with Rena.

But she never ever came. But she was the type of person

But she never ever came. But she was the type of person

if she had have went missing, she would've done her best to get in contact.

(REPORTER) At 25 Cromwell Street, the macabre house of horrors drama

(REPORTER) At 25 Cromwell Street, the macabre house of horrors drama

prepares to enter its third week

with the growing realisation here that the story is as yet only half told.

with the growing realisation here that the story is as yet only half told.

So around about November, 1962,

So around about November, 1962,

Fred and Rena moved up to Scotland to live.

Rena had her baby on the 22nd of March, 1963,

and she was named Charmaine.

And then in July 1964, Rena gave birth to her first child

And then in July 1964, Rena gave birth to her first child

between Fred and Rena, and it was another little girl.

The investigation team conducted enquiries

The investigation team conducted enquiries

in relation to Fred and his time in Glasgow.

What we found was really quite unexpected.

What we found was really quite unexpected.

People often say to me, how rough was the Gorbals?

And I say, well, Fred West was my ice cream man.

(LAUGHS)

(LAUGHS)

The Gorbals is an area in Glasgow which was very rundown

The Gorbals is an area in Glasgow which was very rundown

and supposedly the roughest and most rundown area in Europe.

The Gorbals by 1965 hadn't changed much since Victorian times.

The Gorbals by 1965 hadn't changed much since Victorian times.

People still lived in poverty, squalor.

One family I knew lived 12 to one room.

One family I knew lived 12 to one room.

But in the Gorbals, there was a continuous stream of violence,

and the place was like inhabited with a conglomeration of psychopaths.

and the place was like inhabited with a conglomeration of psychopaths.

A lot of guys had been in jail for murder, or attempted murder,

A lot of guys had been in jail for murder, or attempted murder,

or serious offences, and they were walking about the streets. It was slightly terrifying.

I was a youngster at that time.

If you lived in a damp tenement building, with no prospects

If you lived in a damp tenement building, with no prospects

for the future, and you heard the tune of an ice cream van come along...

...it represented an escape from what was a dire situation.

Fred West arrived in the Gorbals, where he became quite well-known

as the Mr. Whippy Man.

as the Mr. Whippy Man.

He was taken as a bit of a joke character.

He had little curly hair and a little smiley face.

It was rumoured he was living in a street nearby,

and he quickly became known as a bit of a pervert,

because he was always interested in chatting up the young girls,

because he was always interested in chatting up the young girls,

and at one point even had them in the van as he drove around Glasgow.

His motives were very sinister and dark,

and ice cream was a camouflage for it, but he was not seen

as a threat, because there were so many threatening people

as a threat, because there were so many threatening people

going about at the time who looked like threatening people.

One day, Fred made friends with a little boy

almost the same age as me. He promised him ice cream

almost the same age as me. He promised him ice cream

and asked him to wait at a corner.

When the boy waited, Fred reversed

and ran over him and killed him.

and ran over him and killed him.

There was always a dark side to Fred, always a dark side to him.

There was always a dark side to Fred, always a dark side to him.

We could see that through his time in Glasgow.

We were aware that he was involved in petty crime up there

We were aware that he was involved in petty crime up there

and we were aware at one stage that he was alleged

to have knocked over a child in his ice cream van.

We were also aware, just from speaking to people,

that he continued to involve himself

that he continued to involve himself

in deviant behaviour with other women at that time.

I'm Jackie. Jackie Stanton.

I was in Glasgow all my life. Born and bred.

I was in Glasgow all my life. Born and bred.

So tell me about the experience that you had

when you were a girl in Glasgow.

when you were a girl in Glasgow.

I think I must have been about 13,

13 or 14 year old.

No more. You know, as you do, you go wandering the streets

No more. You know, as you do, you go wandering the streets

with your pals and your sisters looking for lads to talk to.

with your pals and your sisters looking for lads to talk to.

My sister and her friend were talking to guys,

boys at the corner.

I didn't have anybody to talk to, except the ice cream man,

I didn't have anybody to talk to, except the ice cream man,

who started talking to me, which I thought was quite nice of him.

Wasn't that I fancied him or anything, because he was old

Wasn't that I fancied him or anything, because he was old

and.. you know. But he said he knew my father. You know,

he was safe. He knew my dad.

And he said he would give us a lift back home.

And he said he would give us a lift back home.

He said he knew a shortcut.

He said he knew a shortcut.

And as we drove out, I could see it wasn't really a shortcut at all,

we were leaving the estate. It was getting black dark.

we were leaving the estate. It was getting black dark.

I didn't like the looks of it, and that's when I said to him

I wanted to get out. I would just walk home the rest of the way.

I wanted to get out. I would just walk home the rest of the way.

His arms stiffened up, and there was

this horrible (LAUGHS MENACINGLY) look over his face.

this horrible (LAUGHS MENACINGLY) look over his face.

And I'm starting to think, he's not taking me. Where's he going? What's happening?

And I'm starting to think, he's not taking me. Where's he going? What's happening?

There's no houses, it's getting darker

and I can see a cottage up ahead. One cottage.

and I can see a cottage up ahead. One cottage.

And he had to stop the van to open the gate.

I saw my opportunity and I just threw myself.

And when I fell out, I fell out big-style.

And when I fell out, I fell out big-style.

My legs were skinned and everything. But I knew I had to run.

Run, run, run, run. Just run. Pure panic, pure terror.

Run, run, run, run. Just run. Pure panic, pure terror.

And I could hear him, furious. Furious, behind me, saying,

"You.." Excuse my language. "You little bitch. You little bitch."

"You.." Excuse my language. "You little bitch. You little bitch."

And I went home to my mother.

And I went home to my mother.

My mother just said, "Jesus Christ, Jacqueline, what's happened to you?"

when she saw the state of my legs.

when she saw the state of my legs.

I was all bleeding, cut all down my legs and everything.

And I just said I fell over, cos I'd have been in big trouble,

And I just said I fell over, cos I'd have been in big trouble,

I would never have been allowed out again.

Who do you think that the man in the ice cream van was?

I think it was Fred West.

I think... I think, when I saw his face in the newspapers

I think... I think, when I saw his face in the newspapers

or whatever, I just knew. I just said, that's that guy,

or whatever, I just knew. I just said, that's that guy,

that's that man. He wasn't local, he wasn’t from Glasgow,

he wasn't Scottish, I don't think. I think that is probably

he wasn't Scottish, I don't think. I think that is probably

why I trusted him, actually, because, you know,

he didn't have a rough Glasgow accent. I didn't report him, and I should have.

Should have, really should've.

Should have, really should've.

I should have told my mother the truth.

If we were to coin a phrase

that is present today,

we would say that Fred was a groomer.

we would say that Fred was a groomer.

He was a person who was deviant

and that had the ability to charm people,

and that had the ability to charm people,

and yes, he would have groomed these children.

I think it's worth remembering that Scotland and England

I think it's worth remembering that Scotland and England

were two completely different countries,

and two completely different police forces.

So Fred's history would not have followed him

So Fred's history would not have followed him

all the way up to Scotland.

I mean, we've got to remember the times,

that there wasn't mobile phones, there wasn't the connectivity

that there wasn't mobile phones, there wasn't the connectivity

that there is now.

So he could create whatever persona that he wanted to create

So he could create whatever persona that he wanted to create

whilst working up in Scotland.

And if that persona was that of a innocent, likeable chap

And if that persona was that of a innocent, likeable chap

selling ice creams to children,

then Fred could carry on committing offences

should he wish to do so.

(ARCHIVE NARRATOR) Most people are good and kind,

but there are some who want to hurt children.

but there are some who want to hurt children.

In real life it's not easy to see that they're different.

They look quite ordinary.

People like this might be nasty and cruel, but they don't show it.

People like this might be nasty and cruel, but they don't show it.

Hello, young lady, you going home?

Hello, young lady, you going home?

Why don't you hop in and I'll give you a lift back, hey?

Yes, please! There was something sinister

Yes, please! There was something sinister

that started to filter in with me in the late '50s,

and as we came through the '60s I began to become really aware

and as we came through the '60s I began to become really aware

there were some people you needed to be very careful of

and ideally avoid.

Unwritten rules, though, nobody would come out

Unwritten rules, though, nobody would come out

and actually say, well here's why.

You know, they would say things like,

"Don't be on your own with that guy, cos he's got wandering hands."

"Don't be on your own with that guy, cos he's got wandering hands."

I just remember that, you know, dangerous places to go past

I just remember that, you know, dangerous places to go past

were building sites, because it wouldn't just be wolf-whistles,

there would be guys who would actually try and grab you,

there would be guys who would actually try and grab you,

as Donald Trump would say, by the pussy. Ugh!

(ACHIVE NARRATOR) Janet? Would you like to know why you shouldn't get into a strange car?

(ACHIVE NARRATOR) Janet? Would you like to know why you shouldn't get into a strange car?

Well, he could hurt you.

After many, many years,

After many, many years,

I discovered my father was a paedophile.

I mean, he was a convicted paedophile.

I mean, he was a convicted paedophile.

He was... he went to prison.

And sadly, what I found was, a lot of my cousins, female cousins,

And sadly, what I found was, a lot of my cousins, female cousins,

and many of my friends and neighbours

had been preyed on, sexually, by my father.

had been preyed on, sexually, by my father.

I can't be sure that my dad knew Fred West, but what...

I can't be sure that my dad knew Fred West, but what...

...there's definite evidence for is that at one point, in Coatbridge,

...there's definite evidence for is that at one point, in Coatbridge,

over a good number of months, probably 18 months, two years,

they... were both there at the same time,

they... were both there at the same time,

and a stone's throw from them was Jimmy Gloogly.

Jimmy Gloogly was a sex offender,

Jimmy Gloogly was a sex offender,

the same as my father,

and he knew Fred West.

So it seems quite horrific that in a fairly small town,

So it seems quite horrific that in a fairly small town,

you could have three people

who were all into the same sort of predatory behaviour.

who were all into the same sort of predatory behaviour.

Certainly Fred West is mentioned

as being part of a ring that Jimmy Googly was involved in.

as being part of a ring that Jimmy Googly was involved in.

And what you're left with is... just

And what you're left with is... just

a horrible, horrible feeling that there was some kind of paedophile set-up.

You know, you actually start thinking,

was this a kind of hub?

Had Fred West come under the scrutiny of the police

Had Fred West come under the scrutiny of the police

in Glasgow, when women on that ice cream van

were complaining about his behaviour,

if they had done a bit more sleuthing at that stage,

it might have changed everything.

When Fred was first interviewed, he was lucid and coherent.

But as the gravitas of this situation became apparent to him,

But as the gravitas of this situation became apparent to him,

he started to become anxious

and his mental health deteriorated.

and his mental health deteriorated.

He began to hallucinate, including seeing angels in the room.

He began to hallucinate, including seeing angels in the room.

And I think, at that stage, the evidence

and information that he was providing to us became unreliable.

Police in Gloucester have discovered a ninth set of human remains

in the home of Fred West.

in the home of Fred West.

The find was made in the cellar area

of the three-storey semi-detached building.

New information has come in, we have been in touch

with certain relatives locally and because of that,

with certain relatives locally and because of that,

I am now confident that we will be able to identify

the names of these poor victims.

From our enquiries we found that Fred and Rena's time in Glasgow

From our enquiries we found that Fred and Rena's time in Glasgow

was very volatile. It would appear

that for periods that they were together,

they were living happily. Information we received from the neighbours

they were living happily. Information we received from the neighbours

were that they were a loving couple. But then, at other times,

were that they were a loving couple. But then, at other times,

and from records that were held by social services,

it appears that Fred and Rena's relationship was very, very violent.

it appears that Fred and Rena's relationship was very, very violent.

Certainly in 1963, Rena had written to friends to explain

what a bad time she was having with Fred,

what a bad time she was having with Fred,

and Fred threatened to kill her, had assaulted her,

but Rena was so frightened that she was scared to leave Fred

but Rena was so frightened that she was scared to leave Fred

for fear of the consequences.

And in the midst of all the turmoil, Anne McFall arrives.

And in the midst of all the turmoil, Anne McFall arrives.

Anne was a very polite, quiet girl.

Anne was a very polite, quiet girl.

She came from a very poor family.

She was about 15 and she'd just come out of care.

She was about 15 and she'd just come out of care.

She got a job at a knitting factory,

and she met Rena West and Isa McNeil.

and she met Rena West and Isa McNeil.

Anne was very, very different to Rena.

Anne was very, very different to Rena.

Rena was a really tough cookie.

Anne was timid, she certainly wasn't feisty and outgoing like Rena was.

Anne was timid, she certainly wasn't feisty and outgoing like Rena was.

There were a lot of Italian cafes at the time

There were a lot of Italian cafes at the time

around that area of Glasgow, it was very popular for young people to go there.

Rena and Anne and Isa would meet up in one of these Italian cafes

Rena and Anne and Isa would meet up in one of these Italian cafes

and they became friends.

They all came from vulnerable backgrounds

and at the time there would have been very little empathy for them.

and at the time there would have been very little empathy for them.

They would had been perceived as trouble,

rather than troubled girls who needed support, were looking

rather than troubled girls who needed support, were looking

for something better in life that they weren't able to obtain.

Anne and Isa would come into the flat

and they would sometimes babysit for Rena.

and they would sometimes babysit for Rena.

And that's where they met Fred.

He knew these girls were vulnerable.

They wanted somebody to look after them, which they'd never had,

They wanted somebody to look after them, which they'd never had,

they had no networks to fall back on, they had nothing,

so they were at the mercy of people like Fred West.

so they were at the mercy of people like Fred West.

He was their hope for the future, and how sad is that?

Gloucester police say the ninth body found at Cromwell Street

was that of Carol Anne Cooper, a teenager last seen alive

was that of Carol Anne Cooper, a teenager last seen alive

more than 20 years ago.

Frederick West, the owner of the house,

has been charged with her murder.

(REPORTER) Carl Anne Cooper was 15

(REPORTER) Carl Anne Cooper was 15

when she disappeared from Worcester more than 20 years ago.

Her stepmother believed her daughter was still alive.

It means three of the nine victims have now been publicly identified.

It means three of the nine victims have now been publicly identified.

Police believe they have positive leads on the other six.

The process to identify the remains at 25 Cromwell Street

The process to identify the remains at 25 Cromwell Street

was painstakingly slow.

And because we were so busy, we didn't have time

And because we were so busy, we didn't have time

to reflect and process what was happening.

(REPORTER) After more than two months,

the search of Cromwell Street is expected to end later this week. (REPORTER) Linda Gough,

the search of Cromwell Street is expected to end later this week. (REPORTER) Linda Gough,

who was the daughter of a local fire service chief,

was the eighth victim recovered.

Her remains had been buried in a downstairs bathroom.

Her remains had been buried in a downstairs bathroom.

You never put yourself first in any of this.

It was always what the victim's family needed.

(REPORTER) They've bricked up the downstairs window of 25 Cromwell Street now.

(REPORTER) They've bricked up the downstairs window of 25 Cromwell Street now.

(REPORTER) There, police found the remains of Alison Chambers,

who lived in a children's home in Gloucester, Lucy Partington,

who lived in a children's home in Gloucester, Lucy Partington,

who vanished after visiting a friend in Cheltenham,

and Juanita Mott, another lodger.

Fred was very particular in the victims he chose,

Fred was very particular in the victims he chose,

they were always vulnerable, they didn't have a support network around them,

so if they went missing, the chances of somebody noticing that

so if they went missing, the chances of somebody noticing that

would have been fairly small.

(REPORTER) The identification of Swiss student Therese Siegenthaler

and Worcester girl Shirley Hubbard means that builder Frederick West

and Worcester girl Shirley Hubbard means that builder Frederick West

now faces nine separate murder charges.

The investigation of 25 Cromwell Street was completed

The investigation of 25 Cromwell Street was completed

and it became apparent once again that we couldn't find any trace of Rena Costello.

But it was always the concern of the investigation team that there would have been bodies elsewhere.

(REPORTER) Police in Gloucestershire are to begin digging in a field today as they continue their search

for a missing Coatbridge woman and her daughter.

for a missing Coatbridge woman and her daughter.

(REPORTER) So far a nationwide poster campaign launched by the Missing Persons Bureau

has provoked absolutely no response,

something which is fuelling the police's suspicions.

something which is fuelling the police's suspicions.

Fred led us to Letterbox Field,

two miles outside of Much Marcle, where he was born and raised.

two miles outside of Much Marcle, where he was born and raised.

Whether he's placed her before they have found bodies,

and since then they have brought out the scanner,

and since then they have brought out the scanner,

and what I can understand is there is a possibility there is someone there.

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