Fred West

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Discover the haunting Glasgow chapter of Fred West's life before he became Britain's most notorious serial killer. This gripping episode delves into West's formative years in Scotland during the early 1960s, revealing disturbing patterns of behaviour that would evolve into the horror of Cromwell Street.

Few realize that before the discovery of the "House of Horrors" in Gloucester, Fred West had established his predatory nature on the streets of Glasgow. Working as an ice cream van driver in Coatbridge and Glasgow, West had unrestricted access to vulnerable young people—a seemingly ordinary job that masked his developing criminal tendencies. We explore how West's marriage to Catherine "Rena" Costello during this period was marked by volatility, and how Anne McFall, who worked as their children's nanny, became one of his earliest victims.

The episode traces West's departure from Scotland—reportedly after being "run out of town" by concerned locals—and his subsequent descent into unfathomable horror alongside his second wife, Rosemary. We detail the investigation that finally uncovered their crimes, resulting in the discovery of twelve victims, Fred's suicide before trial, and Rose's conviction for ten murders. Could there be more undiscovered victims from West's Glasgow days? We examine recent investigations and speculation about his Scottish allotment, raising questions about what might have happened if early warning signs hadn't been ignored.

The Fred West story serves as a chilling reminder of how monsters can walk among us undetected. Listen to understand how Glasgow played a crucial role in the development of one of history's most disturbing criminals, and why this overlooked chapter matters in understanding the full horror of the West case.