BBC ALBA - All That Lies Behind Me - Sgeulachd Donald Merrett

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John Morrison tells the story of Donald Merrett, a career criminal who murdered both his wife and mother-in-law, but did he also kill his own mother?

In 1927, Donald Merrett began a 12-month sentence for forgery. A charge of murder had been found Not Proven. The killing for which he had stood trial, was that of his mother...and he was just 17.

Born in New Zealand in 1908, Merrett moved with his mother Bertha to Edinburgh in 1926. After she died and on his release from prison, he married 17-year-old Vera Bonnar and went on a 30-year spree across Europe. He spent a large inheritance, consorted with countless women - and traded on the black market during WWII.

In his 40s, he returned to Britain. When Vera refused to give him cash, he drowned her in the bath and when her mother tried to intervene, Merrett showed no mercy. Donald Merrett was one of the most colourful and daring criminals of his day. From his crimes as a teenager in Edinburgh to his demise, his story is told through drama reconstruction and expert opinion.

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59 minutes