Creepy Malcolm

APPEAL FOR INFORMATION - CAN YOU HELP?

Police are appealing for witnesses after the disappearance of a child in Hulsted, Lancashire. 

Alice Stanley has been missing from her home since approximately 6.15pm on 10th October 2023. She is described as having shoulder-length brown, curly hair and green eyes. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing blue waterproof boots and a green, floral raincoat with ears on the hood.

Officers are eager to speak to anyone who may have been in the vicinity at the time or who can help identify a man sighted in the area on the evening of 10th October. He is described as a tall, caucasian male, wearing light-coloured overalls and a peaked cap. 

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Hulsted police.

‘Creepy Malcolm’: Fact or Fiction?

Mon 30 Oct 2023 11:30 GMT

www.fringenews.net 

Every town has its urban legend. The small northern town of Hulsted is no different, but what happens when local folklore gets mixed up in a real-life mystery?

Hazia Nadeem investigates the vanishing of a little girl, a myth that made the jump to prime-time news and the mystery of ‘Creepy Malcolm’.

It’s every parent's worst nightmare. A young girl disappears from her home, plucked from the face of the earth, leaving no trace. An intensive search ends with no leads or suspects, and a media circus descends to watch the drama play out in real time. 

This is the disappearance of five-year-old Alice Stanley. A tragedy that has rocked the quiet Lancashire town of Hulsted, and captured the nation's attention. 

After almost a month, and one of the largest investigations in the north since the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper, there is still no sign of Alice. 

Authorities maintain there is no evidence of foul play, but faith in their abilities is beginning to waver. 

With the unrelenting media coverage and a lack of police progress comes the inevitable rise of the armchair detective. An army of online sleuths who assemble to spread rumors, conspiracy theories and familial accusations on social media. 

But there is one improbable name that crops up repeatedly in relation to this case. A name that originates from the town of Hulsted itself and is born from one of their own, unique legends. 

That name is ‘Creepy Malcolm’.

From: Haz Nadeem <hazia.nadeem@fringenews.net>

Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2024 1:12 PM

To: Nev Jones <neville.jones@fringenews.net>

Subject: RE: An update would be useful

Calm yourself, I’m on track for the deadline. I’m not holding you back anymore, remember? I can no longer tarnish your precious rep. 

I’ll upload a near-final draft of the copy tomorrow.

I’ve added some raw footage to the cloud drive and before you ask…yes, I’ve included transcripts. The footage might work for social, or the podcast guys might want the audio for atmosphere or something. There is a lot of background noise though, the little brats were on break.

Don’t use anything that shows the kids’ faces, I didn’t get permission. 

I have a couple more interviews tomorrow, then I’m gonna finish up and head back to the city and the 21st century. Not a moment too soon either. It's a little The Hills Have Eyes around here if you get me.

So that gives you another day to get your stuff from the flat. Please use it.

H

Transcript: VID-20231026-WA006.mp4

Hazia: Hey kids, what are you playing?

Child 1: We’re playing Creepy Malcolm.

Hazia: I don’t know that one. Can you show me how to play?

Child 2: Yes, you can be Malcolm because you’ve got black hair and brown skin.

Child 1: You’re not supposed to say that!

Child 3: You go in the middle. Then you have to cover your eyes.

Child 2: He does though, I’ve seen him. His skin is just like hers!

Child 1: You haven’t seen him, that’s [REDACTED]. His dad is from India.

Child 3: Then we sing and we have to spin you round.

Child 2: No, it’s Malcolm. He sits under that tree over there and eats mud.

Child 3: When we get to the end of the song you can open your eyes and we run away.

Hazia: Okay, and then what?

Child 1: And then you have to catch us. You pretend you’re stealing us away, like he did with Alice.

Hazia: Did someone tell you that? That Malcolm took Alice?

Child 3: No, [REDACTED] saw it.

Child 2: I did! She followed him and now she lives in the hills and eats spiders.

Child 1: Shut up, that’s just a scary story. Mrs Watts says Malcolm isn’t real.

Hazia: Okay, I think I’m ready to play. Eyes closed, off you go.

Child 1, 2 and 3 (singing): One…two…three… Creepy Malcolm, Creepy Malcolm, coming up behind ya. Creepy Malcolm, Creepy Malcolm, eating bugs and spiders. Where did he come from, where has he been? Creepy Malcolm, Creepy Malcolm, if you see him, scream!

‘Creepy Malcolm’: Fact or Fiction?

Mon 30 Oct 2023 11:30 GMT

www.fringenews.net 

Walking around the streets of Hulsted now, it’s like a ghost town. People hurry between their jobs and their homes, avoiding the TV cameras and journalists. No children play in the streets. They walk home from school in groups, always with an adult. 

Alice’s disappearance has traumatized this once tight-knit community, turning them inward, driving a wedge between them. 

There are still some people on the streets though, some faces with a ready smile and the willingness to talk. I come across Shane loitering near a public park in the mid-afternoon. He’s in his mid-twenties and without a job, he has no place to go. Austerity hit Hulsted hard. He leans against a rusted railing by the park entrance, smoking and talking with his friends. 

I ask him if he’d heard the stories of Creepy Malcolm before they were in the news. He wheezes a laugh that becomes a coughing fit. 

“Everyone’s heard that stuff,” he says. “It’s a rite of passage ‘round here, innit? They say, ‘Creepy Malcolm is coming. He’ll come and take you off into the hills if you don’t feed him.’ Kids stuff. It’s mad the way it’s gotten with it now.”

I ask him if he’s ever seen Creepy Malcolm himself. He says no, but he knows someone who has.

“My cousin used to talk about this lad at his school. He swore it was Malcolm. Things got out of hand and he got in some trouble for it. The police got involved. I was still in nappies then but my sister told me about it.”

As he tells me this, his friends melt away into separate groups, talking amongst themselves. They don’t look frightened, but they aren’t hanging around to hear the rest. Maybe they’ve heard this story enough.

“No one liked this kid because he was a real scruff,” Shane tells me. “He would be hunched over on the ground picking ants up off the floor and eating them. Like in the song. Maybe that’s where it came from.”

From: Haz Nadeem <hazia.nadeem@fringenews.net>

Sent: Friday, October 27, 2024 4.58 PM

To: Nev Jones <neville.jones@fringenews.net>

Subject: RE: An update would be useful

I found the case file. I've scanned and uploaded a copy to the drive. There is also a video link for extra background/context.  

BTW if you're so concerned with keeping things professional, you can start by minding your own business. My medication and my ‘well-being’ are no longer your concern.

H

Missing persons form

Date: 10 Oct 1993

Incident number: 7696464

Investigating officer: PC. James Harwood

Name: Malcolm (surname unknown)

Age: 10

Race: Black or Asian

Hair: Black

Eyes: Brown

Height: 4’00’’ approx.

Last seen: 9 Oct, 4pm approx.

Narrative:

Subject was last observed in the vicinity of Stand Tower, Hulsted Hill. He was wearing a light grey jacket, brown corduroy trousers (ripped at the knees) and black running shoes. Subject was reported missing from St. Hilda's primary school by his classmates Michael O’Donnell, David Woodhouse and Edward Taylor. The children had been playing in the area of Hulsted Hill after school when the subject disappeared. 

YouTube.com/ShiversTop5s

Top 5 cryptids you’ve never heard of

267k views - 2 years ago

Number 4: Old Trash

The scenic vistas of the west Pennine moors. A beautiful but rugged environment located a few miles north of Manchester, UK. 

The challenging terrain attracts hikers and fell runners alike. Adventurers who want to test themselves amongst the hills and valleys, and those who seek isolation underneath a big sky.

But if you’re tempted to head out there, you might want to think twice. The windswept landscape can be harsh and is home to more than just stunning views.

Since the 17th century, tales abound of a mysterious black creature named ‘Old Trash’. A terrifying beast that stalks the ditches of Hulsted Hill, situated at the southern tip of these moors. 

Its appearance has been described as that of a giant and vicious dog, with coarse black hair hanging long across its hunched shoulders, and restless yellow eyes that spin in their sockets. 

Legend warns that an encounter with the monster is an ill omen that augurs death, for you or those close to you. 

Over the centuries, ‘Old Trash’ has taken the blame for many horrific deaths and unsolved disappearances in the area. 

The first such report concerned the gruesome death of John Hall, a local farmer's son found brutally mutilated and dumped in a ditch on top of Hulsted Hill. Though records indicate a local woman was eventually executed for John’s murder, many speculate that his injuries were too horrific to have been caused by human hands. Many believe that only a large, wild animal could inflict such terrible wounds. 

Other accounts from the period describe a spate of unexplained sightings. Reports of dark figures roaming the hills, slaughtering livestock and menacing the townsfolk of Hulsted. All of which fed into the local legend and prompted many to lay the blame for John Hall’s death on ‘Old Trash’ himself. 

More recently, the disappearance of a wealthy mill owner's daughter during the Industrial Revolution prompted a frenzied search across the moors. Mill workers, townspeople and even the local army regiment joined the search. Though no sign of her was ever found, many of those involved told haunting tales. Stories of a shadow following them across the heath and a hulking black creature lurking in the mist…

Transcript: AUD-20231027-WA013.wav

Recorded interview with Det. Insp James Harwood (retired)

Hazia: Do you mind if I record this?

Harwood: Go ahead, go ahead. I’ve nothing to hide and you bought the drinks. 

Hazia: Thank you for agreeing to meet. 

Harwood: Of course, it’s the least I can do. Anything that keeps that little girl's name in the papers, or internet, whatever it is nowadays. Though I'm not sure how else I can help. 

Hazia: I'm looking for context really. Any insight into the investigation. 

Harwood: Oh I have been out of the loop a good few years now.

Hazia: Sure, of course. But I don’t mean just about now. Anything from your experience, or about the other disappearances over the years. It all adds to the overall picture.

Harwood: Well I'll do what I can but what other disappearances are you referring to?

Hazia: Well, you’d know better than me. I understand Hulsted is no stranger to tragedy, but I’m particularly interested in hearing about Malcolm.

Harwood: Oh Christ… not this again. 

Hazia: I’m sorry?

Harwood: No, I am. I thought this was serious. I thought you were here to help that family. Not tell fairy tales and ghost stories. You lot are all the same.

Hazia: Excuse me? 

Harwood: Journalists… I mean journalists. Don't start with that.

Hazia: Of course, Mr Harwood. I can assure you I’m only interested in the truth. There is certainly a lot of hearsay around, maybe a little embellishment, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't pursue every lead. Wouldn't you agree?

Harwood: What are you getting at?

Hazia: I understand you were the officer who filed the missing person report on Malcolm?

Harwood: You’re wasting your time. This is playground stuff, love. It’s just a story like The Boogeyman or Old Trash. People can’t face up to the horrific shit that goes on under their noses. They feel helpless so they make up stories to feel better about it. But they do no good for Mrs Stanley or her little girl. You shouldn’t be encouraging it.

Hazia: I appreciate your view, but I’ve seen a copy of your report. In 1993 you did investigate a missing child named Malcolm, correct?

Harwood: I filed a report, yes, but there was nothing to investigate. It was kids playing tricks, wasting our time.

Hazia: So Malcolm was found?

Harwood: He was never missing. This is my point, things get twisted when you let this conspiracy stuff creep in. It muddies the waters.

Hazia: If Malcolm wasn’t missing then maybe I could talk to him, put the whole thing to rest? Could you tell me where I can find him?

Harwood: You don’t understand, love. There was no Malcolm. Not in that school or any school around here. Certainly not up on that hill. No one who met that description. No parents or families looking for anyone like him. We checked here, there and everywhere. He didn’t exist.

From: Prof. Robert Lambert <r.lambert@unimanchester.ac.uk>

Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2024 1:12 PM

To: Haz Nadeem <hazia.nadeem@fringenews.net>; Nev Jones <neville.jones@fringenews.net>

Subject: RE: Hulsted folklore