Murders That Shocked the Nation

The series investigates the infamous case of James Hanratty, the man convicted of the A6 murder. He became one of the last prisoners to be put to death in England, in the final years before the death penalty was abolished.

The A6 Murderer is a television episode that forms part of a larger series. Classified as an episode‑type programme, it presents a factual account centred on a notorious criminal case. The title refers directly to the subject matter, signalling that the story will focus on the individual known as the A6 killer. The core of the episode follows the case of James Hanratty, the man identified as the A6 killer. It outlines his involvement in the crime that earned him notoriety and traces the legal proceedings that ultimately led to his execution. Hanratty’s story is presented as a pivotal episode in the nation's criminal history. Significantly, Hanratty was one of the final individuals to be put to death in England before the country abolished capital punishment. The episode highlights this timing, underscoring how his execution marked a closing chapter in the use of the death penalty. This context gives viewers insight into a transformative period of British law. The programme therefore serves as a concise record of that historic moment, concentrating solely on Hanratty’s case and its place at the end of England’s capital punishment era. By restricting its focus to these facts, the episode provides a straightforward narrative that reflects the legal and societal shift occurring at that time.