Every day, people’s lives are touched by senseless and often violent crimes, many of which are shockingly brutal and regularly scandalise the public across mainstream media. However, once the court cases have concluded, what happens to the families touched by such needless aggression, and how do they carry on after enduring such a traumatic experience?

To explore these issues from a personal and legal perspective, we’re joined by Her Honour Wendy Joseph QC, one of the few judges licensed to try murder cases at the Old Bailey and author of Unlawful Killings, and David Whitehouse, whose part-true crime, part-memoir About a Son chronicles the painful aftermath of a father coming to terms with the murder of his child.

About The Authors

Wendy Joseph Headshot

Wendy Joseph

Until March 2022 Her Honour Wendy Joseph QC was a judge at the Old Bailey, sitting on criminal cases, trying mainly allegations of murder and other homicide. She read English and Law at Cambridge, was called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn in 1975, became a QC in 1998 and sat as a full-time judge from 2007 to 2022. When she moved to the Old Bailey in 2012 she was the only woman amongst sixteen judges, and only the third woman ever to hold a permanent position there. She was also a Diversity and Community Relations Judge, working to promote understanding between the judiciary and many different sectors of our community, particularly those from less privileged and minority groups. She mentors young people, from a variety of backgrounds, who hope for a career in law and has a special interest in helping women. Unlawful Killings is her first book. 

David Whitehouse Headshot

David Whitehouse

David Whitehouse is the author of three novels: BED, winner of the Betty Trask Prize and currently being made into a film by Film4, MOBILE LIBRARY, winner of the Jerwood Fiction Prize, and THE LONG FORGOTTEN. His journalism has appeared in the Guardian, Esquire, Observer, Sunday Times Style and many other publications. He was previously the Editor-at-Large of ShortList magazine.