The Magnificent Violet: Britain's Forgotten Anti-Death Penalty Crusader

In this episode, Tom shares the remarkable story of Violet van der Elst, an almost forgotten yet incredibly influential British campaigner against capital punishment. Stumbling upon her name while researching the Ruxton murders, Tom discovered Violet's enduring fight against the death penalty, motivated by her strong belief in the sanctity of life as guided by her religious convictions. Born into poverty, Violet's journey from a maid to a successful entrepreneur who invented the first brushless shaving soap, Shavex, is nothing short of inspiring. Despite her wealth, Violet directed her resources and energy into her anti-death penalty crusade, challenging authorities and organising impactful protests. Tom draws parallels between Violet's effective methods and modern-day protests, highlighting how her respectful direct actions contrasted with disruptive tactics seen today. He suggests that her determination and strategic approach offer lessons for contemporary movements. Violet lived to see the abolition of the death penalty in the UK but was largely unrecognised for her efforts, an oversight Tom seeks to rectify by bringing her story back into the light.About Crime Time Inc.Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.Two crime worlds. One podcast.New episodes released regularly throughout the season.Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.