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0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:02 > 0:00:09- Subtitles
0:00:09 > 0:00:10- Secrets...
0:00:11 > 0:00:13- ..lies...
0:00:14 > 0:00:15- ..deceit...
0:00:15 > 0:00:17- ..violence.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21- Every criminal case is a distinct - challenge for the detective.
0:00:24 > 0:00:29- To discover the truth, they need - patience and curiosity.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41- Tonight, I go back to the 1990s...
0:00:41 > 0:00:45- ..to investigate the murder - of a woman in Carmarthenshire.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51- We knew straightaway that a serious - crime had been committed...
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- ..and that a woman had been killed.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- Dyfed Powys police detectives - raced to catch the killer...
0:01:00 > 0:01:03- ..who was at large - in a close-knit community.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08- Everyone was stunned to discover - that a local person was responsible.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36- Bancyfelin, near Carmarthen.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- On Thursday, 21 June 1990...
0:01:40 > 0:01:45- ..a local farmer - made a shocking discovery.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- Bill Davies, a farmer - from the Bancyfelin area...
0:01:53 > 0:01:56- ..was out in his Land Rover checking - on his cattle and sheep.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59- Just before 10.00pm last night...
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- ..he came across a red Metro - parked in a lane...
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- ..about a quarter of a mile - down this road.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- Uncle Bill used to check - on the stock late at night.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18- He used to go into the top field - and drive through the fields...
0:02:18 > 0:02:21- ..and come out - at the bottom of the valley.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- When he got to the lane at the - bottom, a car was parked there.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29- When he looked inside the car, - there was someone in there.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36- A woman was lying - on the back seat of the car.
0:02:38 > 0:02:39- She was dead.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53- The farmer went to a nearby house - to telephone the police.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- It was a surprise to everyone. - It was quite frightening.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02- This is a quiet, rural area.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12- A detective from Dyfed Powys Police - was called in to inspect the scene.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- There was a woman's body - in the back of the Metro.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- She had sustained very serious - head injuries.
0:03:25 > 0:03:30- It was also very likely that - she had been sexually assaulted.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- It was a very unusual occurrence - for this area.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- It's a very quiet area - with a very low crime rate.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43- We knew straightaway that a serious - crime had been committed...
0:03:43 > 0:03:45- ..and that a woman had been killed.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- At around the same time - as the farmer's 999 call...
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- ..police received another call - from the village.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- We received a call from Dr Alan Simm - who said that his wife...
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- ..had gone to Cardiff in the morning - at about 7.30am...
0:04:06 > 0:04:08- ..and had not returned home.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13- When he told us her car registration - number, we quickly realized that...
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- ..the person in the car - was his wife, Jane Simm.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- Jane Amanda Simm was 29 years old...
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- ..and was married to biochemist, - Dr Alan Simm.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36- The couple lived at Brynderi Farm - on the outskirts of Bancyfelin...
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- ..a quarter of a mile from - where Jane's body was found.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49- The couple had moved from - Hertfordshire to Carmarthenshire...
0:04:49 > 0:04:51- ..in September 1988.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- Alan was a Biology tutor - to local students...
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- ..at his own laboratory - on the farm.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- Jane was a horse riding instructor - in St Clears.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- Alan Simm was in shock and said - that he had moved to the country...
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- ..in order to live a quiet life.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18- According to Dr Simm, the last time - he saw his wife was that morning...
0:05:18 > 0:05:22- ..when she left the farm - to go shopping in Cardiff.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- He was shocked at losing his wife...
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- ..especially under such - difficult circumstances.
0:05:31 > 0:05:36- He couldn't believe - that someone like his wife...
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- ..had lost her life - in such circumstances.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- Friday. The morning after - the body was found.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59- A forensic team and police dogs - began searching for clues.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- Police officers and dogs - are here again today...
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- ..searching the fields and hedges...
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- ..for the weapon used - to kill Mrs Simm.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26- The red Metro was also examined - for any evidence of the attack.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- There was damage - to the front of the car.
0:06:34 > 0:06:40- It had a roof rack - and the number is D849 WFL.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- Detectives needed to find out - Jane's last movements...
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- ..after she left the farm.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- They needed witnesses - who might have seen her.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- So, the team began making enquiries - in the nearby villages.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- The following morning, - the priority was...
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- ..to carry out - house-to-house enquiries.
0:07:19 > 0:07:25- We needed to find out her movements - and whether anyone had seen her.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- For example, if her husband said - she'd set off for Cardiff...
0:07:30 > 0:07:34- ..had the police seen the car - or stopped her and spoken to her.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38- But they were unsuccessful.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- No-one had seen Jane Simm that day.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- Instinct told the detectives - that something wasn't right.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56- People in rural areas tend to notice - and remember what goes on.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58- That was one of Dyfed Powys' - strengths.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04- We gained so much information from - the house-to-house enquiries.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- Jane Simm had not been seen - in public since 5.30pm...
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- ..on the day before she disappeared.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16- The police turned to the press - to appeal for information.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20- It's very important that we appeal - to the public...
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- ..and ask them to think back - to last Thursday...
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- ..because we have no idea where Mrs - Simm went after leaving the house...
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- ..at 7.30am, until her body was - found on the Thursday evening.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- They recreated her final movements.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- She was wearing clothes similar - to those exhibited this morning...
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- ..by police officer, Ann Lewis - - sunglasses, green wellingtons...
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- ..and dark blue clothing - with the words...
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- ..Hallingbury Hall Equestrian Centre - on her sweatshirt.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- Police are keen to talk to anyone - who saw Mrs Simm...
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- ..or her car last Thursday.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06- A poster campaign was launched - to appeal for information.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- While the detectives were looking - for witnesses...
0:09:20 > 0:09:24- ..more evidence was forthcoming - from the pathologist.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- Jane Simm had suffered internal - and external injuries...
0:09:28 > 0:09:33- ..including a fractured skull, after - being beaten with a heavy weapon.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37- But, although her body had been - found in the car half naked...
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- ..there was no evidence - of a sexual assault.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45- They now suspected that someone had - deliberately undressed her.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- It looked like it had been staged, - from very early on.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- Neither was there any evidence that - Jane had left the farm that day.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- Although her husband said that - she'd gone shopping in Cardiff.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- It was very difficult to believe.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10- It wasn't something she usually did.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- She hardly ever left her home.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18- She loved looking after her horses. - She didn't go shopping very often.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- At the start, we didn't believe it.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- The biggest challenge was to try - and prove it.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- They began to question - her husband's story.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- Detectives suspected that the answer - lay closer to home.
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0:10:45 > 0:10:45- Subtitles
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:10:55 > 0:10:56- In June, 1990...
0:10:56 > 0:11:01- ..after Jane Simm's body was - discovered in Carmarthenshire...
0:11:01 > 0:11:06- ..the police were desperately - searching for her killer.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12- Detectives decided to look more - closely at the married couple...
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- ..and delve into their backgrounds.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- Jane and Alan Simm married - in May 1989...
0:11:18 > 0:11:22- ..in the village of Sawbridgeworth - in Hertfordshire.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- She was extremely happy.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- She thought the world - of her husband.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- Three weeks before Jane's - disappearance...
0:11:33 > 0:11:38- ..the couple had celebrated their - first wedding anniversary...
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- ..at the Fox and Hounds pub - in Bancyfelin.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- Dr and Mrs Simm came in for a meal - one Friday evening.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- Dr Simm asked to book a table - for the Sunday evening.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- It was their anniversary.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- He specifically wanted a table in - the corner, quite a romantic table.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- He was most insistent - on having that table.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06- Julie Davies still remembers that - bank holiday evening...
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- ..and the booking of a specific - table by the fire.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14- It was a Saturday. It was going to - be a very busy evening for us.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- It was a table that sat six...
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- ..so my husband was a bit reluctant - to give up this table...
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- ..for just two people - for the whole evening.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- But Dr Simm was so adamant - that he wanted that table...
0:12:28 > 0:12:32- ..and he was prepared - to pay extra for it.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- In the end, they were regular - customers...
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- ..so Mike gave them the table - for the evening.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- We didn't know who had murdered her. - It could have been anybody.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- It was quite scary.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- People were quite nervous - and shocked...
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- ..that something like that - could happen...
0:12:54 > 0:12:59- ..in our sleepy little Bancyfelin, - our lovely little community.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- Dr Alan Simm offered Biology lessons - from home.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- On the day of his wife's - disappearance...
0:13:08 > 0:13:13- ..three school pupils had been there - for hours for a practical tutorial.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- To the detectives, - they were now witnesses.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- He was a very knowledgeable person.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26- He was quite formal. Perhaps not - a person you'd share a joke with.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- He could be quite intense at times.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34- I knew that he wanted me - to do well in my exams.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40- He was always pushing me - to work hard...
0:13:40 > 0:13:42- ..to make sure I did well.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48- That morning, - Dr Simm had telephoned Eurgain...
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- ..to ask her to come over later than - they had originally arranged.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56- When she arrived, there was nothing - out of place at the farm...
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- ..and her tutor appeared as usual.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- But, he disappeared for a while - at lunchtime.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11- He went to make us a glass - of squash.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- We thought he'd just gone - to the house to make it...
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- ..and he'd be back - in about five minutes...
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- ..but I remember that he was gone - for quite a long time.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- We wondered what he was doing.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- Detectives began to suspect - the husband's story.
0:14:31 > 0:14:32- As they probed further...
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- ..the came across something they - thought was a motive for murder.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- After investigating the couple's - financial affairs...
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- ..detectives discovered - that they had large debts...
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- ..and that Jane Simm had a life - insurance policy worth 100,000.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- When they conducted a detailed - examination of the house...
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- ..they discovered suspicious notes - in Alan Simm's handwriting.
0:15:02 > 0:15:03- It was written in code.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09- It seemed to be arrangements - for giving her drugs.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- The notes included the words - 'the final plan'.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- It also included the letters JDCD.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- Police believed that it may have - stood for Jane Deceased.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- There was a reference to - an anaesthetic drug called ether...
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- ..and the symbol for the chemical, - potassium chloride, KCL.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35- The detectives were confident...
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- ..that this showed that Alan Simm - had planned to kill his wife.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45- In addition, we found clothes - and other things...
0:15:45 > 0:15:47- ..that had been burned - in the garden.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- On the clothes that had been burned, - we found blood.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- We were focusing more and more - on the possibility...
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- ..that her husband was part of it.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03- On June 27, six days after Jane Simm - was found...
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- ..her husband was arrested - and charged with her murder.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18- A crowd of about 300 people gathered - in the main square in Carmarthen...
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- ..to see Dr Alan Simm, - a bearded man with glasses...
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- ..arrive in handcuffs - at the court hearing.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- He denied killing his wife.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33- But, on his way to court - one morning...
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- ..Dr Simm made - an astounding confession...
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- ..to the warden escorting him there.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- The warden asked him - what he had done.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- He said he'd killed his wife, but - that the police didn't know that...
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- ..and that they weren't going - to find out...
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- ..because they didn't have - enough evidence.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57- I think he thought that the warden - wouldn't say anything to the police.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- But the confession - became key evidence...
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- ..when the trial began in May 1991.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12- Alan Simm pleaded not guilty to - murder, but guilty to manslaughter.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14- He told the court...
0:17:14 > 0:17:18- ..that his relationship - with his wife was under pressure...
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- ..and that he'd lost control that - morning after a blazing row.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24- He'd struck her head - against a stone wall.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30- During his three days in the dock...
0:17:30 > 0:17:34- ..Alan Simm said he was at the end - of his tether with the marriage...
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- ..and that he'd intended to leave - his wife that day...
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- ..to start a new life.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- He insisted that her death - was an accident.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- But the prosecution argued - that his wife's injuries...
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- ..proved that it was his clear - intention to kill her.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- If he'd hit her once - and she'd fallen...
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- ..that's possible - in the heat of the moment.
0:18:10 > 0:18:11- But he carried on.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- He could have called the police - and told them...
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- ..that he'd rowed with his wife, - that he'd hit her and she'd died.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- That he hadn't meant to do it. - But that wasn't what he did.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- The prosecution also alleged that - he'd had a plan to kill her...
0:18:33 > 0:18:35- ..before that morning.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- He was questioned about the notes - that had been found in his house...
0:18:40 > 0:18:45- ..referring to the chemicals, - ether and potassium chloride.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54- Simm admitted that he'd intended - drugging his wife...
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- ..in order to stop her heart, - as his notes showed.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02- But, although he had the chemicals - ready in his laboratory...
0:19:02 > 0:19:03- ..he changed his mind.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- These were his words to the court.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- "I was shocked and confused - that I couldn't do it."
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- "I hadn't been expecting that."
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- After hearing eight days - of evidence...
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- ..the jury had to make a decision.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- Was this manslaughter or murder?
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- The jury delivered its verdict.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43- It was unanimous.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48- They had decided that Alan Simm was - guilty of murdering his wife...
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- ..and the judge jailed him for life.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14- The murder of Jane Simm shook the - people in the neighbouring villages.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21- It was a terrible shock.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- To think that people didn't know - what had been going on.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- Then to find out that she'd been - murdered by her own husband!
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- An intelligent, knowledgeable man - like Dr Simm.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- He was a very able man.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39- It was quite a shock.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- The landlord of the village pub - was also in shock.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49- He felt that Alan Simm had deceived - him the whole time.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- We were a bit shell-shocked - and upset...
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- ..to think that we'd been part - of his charade.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- Part of this front - that he was portraying...
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- ..of being the wonderful, - loyal, devoted husband.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- And that we'd been taken in by that.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18- As a 17-year-old pupil, Eurgain had - been having a lesson at Brynderi...
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- ..hours after Dr Simm murdered - his wife.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27- She may even have been there while - he was getting rid of the evidence.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- It didn't sink in at the time, - what exactly had happened.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- I couldn't quite work out...
0:21:37 > 0:21:42- ..how someone like that - could have done such a thing.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- On the outside, the couple's life - seemed perfect.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- But there was a hidden side - to their relationship.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59- According to detectives...
0:21:59 > 0:22:04- ..the majority of murders take place - within a marriage or relationship.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- It's very unusual - to have a murder...
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- ..between people - who don't know each other.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- At the start of an investigation...
0:22:18 > 0:22:23- ..you have to look carefully at the - people closest to the murder victim.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- Dr Alan Simm was an able man.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- He thought that he could hide - his diabolical crime.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- The way he'd hidden the body, - moved the car...
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- ..and the story he'd given out - about her going to Cardiff.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47- But, bit by bit, Dyfed Powys - detectives unpicked his plan...
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- ..and revealed the truth.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:18 > 0:23:19- .