In September 2021, Lauren Dickason killed her three daughters, six year old Liane, and two year old twins Maya and Karla, shortly after the family moved to Timaru from South Africa.

For the last five weeks, Anna has been covering the trial, which this week saw a guilty verdict delivered on all three charges. As the trial has taken up a lot of Anna's time, there's no new episode of A Moment in Crime this month, but listen as she talks to The Front Page's Damien Venuto about the case. 

In September 2021, Lauren Dickason killed her three daughters, six year old Liane, and two year old twins Maya and Karla, shortly after the family moved to Timaru from South Africa.
For the last five weeks, Anna has been covering the trial, which this week saw a guilty verdict delivered on all three charges. As the trial has taken up a lot of Anna's time, there's no new episode of A Moment in Crime this month, but listen as she talks to <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-the-front-page-30038501/">The Front Page</a>'s Damien Venuto about the case.

From the NZ Herald newsroom comes A Moment in Crime - a podcast delving into some of New Zealand’s biggest cases.

Anna Leask has been a crime and justice reporter at the Herald for more than a decade.

Each month she'll take you inside some of our most infamous incidents, notorious offenders and behind the scenes of high profile trials and events to show you what’s really happening in your backyard.

From the NZ Herald newsroom comes A Moment in Crime - a podcast delving into some of New Zealand’s biggest cases. Anna Leask has been a crime and justice reporter at the Herald for more than a decade. Each month she'll take you inside some of our most infamous incidents, notorious offenders and behind the scenes of high profile trials and events to show you what’s really happening in your backyard.

From the NZ Herald newsroom comes A Moment in Crime - a podcast delving into some of New Zealand’s biggest cases.

Anna Leask has been a crime and justice reporter at the Herald for more than a decade.

Each month she'll take you inside some of our...

A Moment In Crime

Murder or Infanticide: The trial of Lauren Dickason

This is the second part of a two-part A Moment In Crime special.

Christchurch woman Nicola Flint told friends she was dying, even showing them the spot where her ashes would be scattered. 

They grieved and gave thousands to help her fight cancer.

But police say there is no evidence of any cancer diagnosis – and behind Flint's narrative, a web of forged medical letters, bank payouts and theft from a rugby club – fraud totalling more than $180,000. 

Now, as Flint hides out in Wales from the fallout of her elaborate tales, Herald senior crime and justice journalist Anna Leask looks inside the alleged fraud and speaks to those hurt the most by her long-running cancer stories. 

If you have information about Nicola Flint, contact anna.leask@nzme.co.nz

READ MORE:

Inside alleged Christchurch fraudster Nicola Flint’s elaborate, years-long cancer con

Christchurch cancer fraud: Friend of Nicola Flint speaks out on lies

A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Leask — who specialises in crime and justice reporting. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 20 years. This episode was produced by Leask and NZME audio engineer Alastair Boyes.

If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz

Since 2019, A Moment in Crime has produced over 55 episodes and has been downloaded over 1 million times, with listeners in over 170 countries. It was nominated for Best True Crime Podcast at the 2024 Radio and Podcast Awards.

 

 

 

This is the second part of a two-part A Moment In Crime special.
Christchurch woman Nicola Flint told friends she was dying, even showing them the spot where her ashes would be scattered.&nbsp;
They grieved and gave thousands to help her fight cancer.
But police say there is no evidence of any cancer diagnosis &ndash; and behind Flint's narrative, a web of forged medical letters, bank payouts and theft from a rugby club &ndash; fraud totalling more than $180,000.&nbsp;
Now, as Flint hides out in Wales from the fallout of her elaborate tales, Herald senior crime and justice journalist Anna Leask looks inside the alleged fraud and speaks to those hurt the most by her long-running cancer stories.&nbsp;
If you have information about Nicola Flint, contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:anna.leask@nzme.co.nz">anna.leask@nzme.co.nz</a>
READ MORE:
<a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/terminal-lies-inside-alleged-christchurch-fraudster-nicola-flints-elaborate-years-long-cancer-con/543K7WP6QZB6ROZE2RFYKGZSBE/">Inside alleged Christchurch fraudster Nicola Flint&rsquo;s elaborate, years-long cancer con</a>
<a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch-cancer-fraud-friend-of-nicola-flint-speaks-out-on-lies/EYH4B3LPM5EVNCMWPZHUPCM3OQ/">Christchurch cancer fraud: Friend of Nicola Flint speaks out on lies</a>
A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Leask &mdash; who specialises in crime and justice reporting. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 20 years. This episode was produced by Leask and NZME audio engineer Alastair Boyes.
If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz
Since 2019, A Moment in Crime has produced over 55 episodes and has been downloaded over 1 million times, with listeners in over 170 countries. It was nominated for Best True Crime Podcast at the 2024 Radio and Podcast Awards.
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Diagnosis? Deception (part two): Inside Nicola Flint's fake cancer fraud 

This is part one of a two-part A Moment In Crime special.

Christchurch woman Nicola Flint told friends she was dying, even showing them the spot where her ashes would be scattered. 

They grieved and gave thousands to help her fight cancer.

But police say the terminal diagnosis was all a lie – and behind it, a web of forged medical letters, bank payouts and theft from a rugby club – fraud totalling more than $180,000. 

Now, as Flint hides out in Wales from the fallout of her elaborate tales, Herald senior crime and justice journalist Anna Leask looks inside the alleged fraud and speaks to those hurt the most by the fake cancer. 

If you have information about Nicola Flint, contact anna.leask@nzme.co.nz

READ MORE:

Inside alleged Christchurch fraudster Nicola Flint’s elaborate, years-long cancer con

Christchurch cancer fraud: Friend of Nicola Flint speaks out on lies

A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Leask — who specialises in crime and justice reporting. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 20 years. This episode was produced by Leask and NZME audio engineer Alastair Boyes.

If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz

Since 2019, A Moment in Crime has produced over 55 episodes and has been downloaded over 1 million times, with listeners in over 170 countries. It was nominated for Best True Crime Podcast at the 2024 Radio and Podcast Awards.

 

 

 

This is part one of a two-part A Moment In Crime special.
Christchurch woman Nicola Flint told friends she was dying, even showing them the spot where her ashes would be scattered.&nbsp;
They grieved and gave thousands to help her fight cancer.
But police say the terminal diagnosis was all a lie &ndash; and behind it, a web of forged medical letters, bank payouts and theft from a rugby club &ndash; fraud totalling more than $180,000.&nbsp;
Now, as Flint hides out in Wales from the fallout of her elaborate tales, Herald senior crime and justice journalist Anna Leask looks inside the alleged fraud and speaks to those hurt the most by the fake cancer.&nbsp;
If you have information about Nicola Flint, contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:anna.leask@nzme.co.nz">anna.leask@nzme.co.nz</a>
READ MORE:
<a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/terminal-lies-inside-alleged-christchurch-fraudster-nicola-flints-elaborate-years-long-cancer-con/543K7WP6QZB6ROZE2RFYKGZSBE/">Inside alleged Christchurch fraudster Nicola Flint&rsquo;s elaborate, years-long cancer con</a>
<a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/christchurch-cancer-fraud-friend-of-nicola-flint-speaks-out-on-lies/EYH4B3LPM5EVNCMWPZHUPCM3OQ/">Christchurch cancer fraud: Friend of Nicola Flint speaks out on lies</a>
A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Leask &mdash; who specialises in crime and justice reporting. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 20 years. This episode was produced by Leask and NZME audio engineer Alastair Boyes.
If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz
Since 2019, A Moment in Crime has produced over 55 episodes and has been downloaded over 1 million times, with listeners in over 170 countries. It was nominated for Best True Crime Podcast at the 2024 Radio and Podcast Awards.
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Diagnosis? Deception (part one): Inside Nicola Flint's fake cancer fraud 

In 2016, 77-year-old pensioner Brian Hilton was found on the floor of his Ōpōtiki home — brutally beaten, barely conscious, and covered in blood. He died five days later. Police launched a major homicide investigation, first zeroing in on one local man before turning their attention to another: Harry Matchitt.

A beer bottle found in Hilton’s lounge carried Matchitt’s DNA, and after a series of police interviews, the lifelong Mongrel Mob member made a hazy admission — saying he was “pissed” and may have “pushed and kicked” the elderly man. In 2021, a jury found him guilty of manslaughter.

But two years later, the Court of Appeal ruled his conviction unsafe. The judges found his statements to police likely inadmissible, meaning a miscarriage of justice had occurred. The conviction was quashed — and Matchitt walked free.

In this episode of A Moment in Crime, senior journalists Anna Leask and Jared Savage revisit the violent death of Brian Hilton, the conviction that fell apart, and what became of Matchitt after the case collapsed. Savage also reflects on two decades covering crime and justice, and his work investigating New Zealand’s gang world.

A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Leask — who specialises in crime and justice reporting. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 20 years. This episode was produced by Leask and NZME audio engineer Alastair Boyes.

If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz

Since 2019, A Moment in Crime has produced over 55 episodes and has been downloaded over 1 million times, with listeners in over 170 countries. It was nominated for Best True Crime Podcast at the 2024 Radio and Podcast Awards.

 

READ MORE:

Harry Matchitt’s conviction for manslaughter of Brian Hilton in Ōpōtiki cold case quashed, case thrown out after ‘false confession’ to police

Justice after 21 years in jail: Teina Pora 'set up for new life' after Privy Council quashes convictions for Susan Burdett murder

Rex Haig dies before second bid for compensation made

Real Life: Jared Savage on how gangs, crime and drug activity in NZ are evolving

In 2016, 77-year-old pensioner Brian Hilton was found on the floor of his Ōpōtiki home &mdash; brutally beaten, barely conscious, and covered in blood. He died five days later. Police launched a major homicide investigation, first zeroing in on one local man before turning their attention to another: Harry Matchitt.
A beer bottle found in Hilton&rsquo;s lounge carried Matchitt&rsquo;s DNA, and after a series of police interviews, the lifelong Mongrel Mob member made a hazy admission &mdash; saying he was &ldquo;pissed&rdquo; and may have &ldquo;pushed and kicked&rdquo; the elderly man. In 2021, a jury found him guilty of manslaughter.
But two years later, the Court of Appeal ruled his conviction unsafe. The judges found his statements to police likely inadmissible, meaning a miscarriage of justice had occurred. The conviction was quashed &mdash; and Matchitt walked free.
In this episode of A Moment in Crime, senior journalists Anna Leask and Jared Savage revisit the violent death of Brian Hilton, the conviction that fell apart, and what became of Matchitt after the case collapsed. Savage also reflects on two decades covering crime and justice, and his work investigating New Zealand&rsquo;s gang world.
A Moment In Crime&nbsp;is written and hosted by Leask &mdash; who specialises in crime and justice reporting. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 20 years. This episode was produced by Leask and NZME audio engineer Alastair Boyes.
If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz
Since 2019, A Moment in Crime has produced over 55 episodes and has been downloaded over 1 million times, with listeners in over 170 countries. It was nominated for Best True Crime Podcast at the 2024 Radio and Podcast Awards.
&nbsp;
READ MORE:
<a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/harry-matchitts-conviction-for-manslaughter-of-brian-hilton-in-opotiki-cold-case-quashed-case-thrown-out-after-false-confession-to-police/FZEGEKXKA5ASTJT2PLDJ4PIGWU/">Harry Matchitt&rsquo;s conviction for manslaughter of Brian Hilton in Ōpōtiki cold case quashed, case thrown out after &lsquo;false confession&rsquo; to police</a>
<a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/justice-after-21-years-in-jail-teina-pora-set-up-for-new-life-after-privy-council-quashes-convictions-for-susan-burdett-murder/BV66LBTCOUHCBD2F36EWBDVFSY/">Justice after 21 years in jail: Teina Pora 'set up for new life' after Privy Council quashes convictions for Susan Burdett murder</a>
<a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/rex-haig-dies-before-second-bid-for-compensation-made/6WVQWOOSA5E5466KT7NCQVVDAM/">Rex Haig dies before second bid for compensation made</a>
<a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/real-life-jared-savage-on-how-gangs-crime-and-drug-activity-in-nz-are-evolving/HS7OBNUITBGB3HQXQM7Y25QHBA/">Real Life: Jared Savage on how gangs, crime and drug activity in NZ are evolving</a>

Murder or Infanticide: The trial of Lauren Dickason

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