Black Widow murder to feature in TV drama

Sep 21 2008 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

BLACK WIDOW killer Christina Button is to be the subject of a new TV series.

Button was convicted of murdering her husband George for his insurance money.

Her nephew Simon Tannahill was also convicted of the murder five years ago.

Both are serving life sentences and recently lost appeals.

The crime shocked the West Rainton suburb of Durham when the details were revealed in court.

Now the story will be featured in a TV series on suburban secrets leading to murder.

The Nightmare in Suburbia will be shown on the Crime and Investigation Network next month.

TV bosses say the series, featuring four killings, peers behind the lace curtains of suburban Britain to expose its dark underbelly.

A spokesman for the network said the Black Widow story was a perfect choice. He said: “This series of contemporary stories reveals that criminality is not only confined to the cities.

“In fact, some of the most gruesome and unexpected crimes in the UK’s recent history have taken place amongst the most unsuspecting and apparently innocent of communities. 

“Nightmare in Suburbia combines interviews with the investigating officers, friends and family involved in each case, together with actual police footage, CCTV, home video and stills.

“Every episode also features dramatic reconstructions.”

The programme on the case, called Night of Betrayal, reveals how Christina had run up more than £200,000 of debt.

She arranged for George to be attacked by her nephew to cash in his insurance policies, worth £450,000

Now, the woman who masterminded the murder of her husband is more than four years into her life sentence.

In sentencing her, Mr Justice Royce said: “George Button was a kind and gentle man. It is difficult to conceive of a more cold and calculating killing.

“There is only one sentence that I can pass and that is one of life imprisonment.”

:: The series will be shown on the Crime and Investigation Network in October.