When Life Means Life S01E06 - Andrew Dawson

This film explores the incredible story of double killer Andrew Dawson, a man who was given a second chance of freedom, but couldn't resist the impulse to murder.

With access to his brother, police officers and Dawson's neighbours, we tell the true story of how Dawson became of the UK's most notorious prisoners – given a whole life sentence.

Dawson first struck when he was just eighteen, repeatedly stabbing a 91-year-old shopkeeper to death, before robbing him for small amounts of money. A life sentence followed – but Dawson would be freed in his thirties. This film explores his adjustment to the outside world, the gradual return to criminality, and the build up to his second shocking crimes – in which he again targeted vulnerable, elderly men.

In 2011 Andrew Dawson again faced a court charged with murder. Only this time, he had killed twice. His victims were neighbours, both stabbed repeatedly in their own flats. And it could have been more. We meet a survivor of Dawson's attacks.

This film plots the tragic, murderous story of Andrew Dawson, his shocking crimes, and how he was brought to justice.