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Did you know True Criminals is on Patreon? You can listen ad free and enjoy exclusive bonus content, just like the episode you’re listening to right now. Please enjoy this exclusive Patreon bonus teaser of True Criminals. If you would like to listen to the full episode and access our complete catalogue of exclusive content, head over to: https://www.patreon.com/truecriminals In the early hours of September 14, 2003, seven year old Toni Ann Byfield was shot in the back in a cramped North London bedsit. An innocent child caught in the middle of a violent drug war, Toni Ann had witnessed the murder of the man she called her father, Bertram “Blacker” Byfield. In this exclusive two part investigation, True Criminals is joined by Neil Basu, the former Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Senior Investigating Officer who led Operation Trident’s investigation into the murder of Toni Ann Byfield. In Part 1, Neil Basu takes us inside the investigation and reveals the extraordinary pressure surrounding a Category A murder, the importance of the broken cigarette lead, the devastating reality of dealing with grieving families while managing multiple homicide investigations, and the moment a national television appeal helped change the course of the case. Neil Basu is one of Britain's most distinguished former senior police officers. During his career he served as Head of UK Counter Terrorism and became one of the UK's leading specialists in organised crime, gang violence, counter terrorism and national security. This is a rare and deeply personal insight into the Toni Ann Byfield murder investigation, told by the senior detective who led the hunt for her killer. If you are interested in true crime, British true crime, UK murder cases, police investigations, criminal investigations, Scotland Yard, the Metropolitan Police, Operation Trident, gang violence, organised crime and the stories behind some of Britain's most notorious cases, this is an episode you will not want to miss. SUPPORT TRUE CRIMINALS Listen ad free and access our full catalogue of exclusive content, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, True Criminals relies on the support of its listeners. You can also support the show via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE FOLLOW TRUE CRIMINALS Follow us on Instagram @true.criminals Subscribe to True Criminals on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals CONNECT WITH MARTIN BRUNT Follow Martin on Twitter @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin's career and the cases he has covered in his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY CONNECT WITH HELEN FOSPERO Follow Helen on Instagram @helenfospero Listen to Helen's podcast, The Convex Conversation: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 CREDITS True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In October 1986, nine-year-old best friends Karen Hadaway and Nicola Fellows disappeared after going out to play near their homes on the Moulsecoomb estate in Brighton. The following afternoon, their bodies were discovered in Wild Park. The case became known across Britain as the Babes in the Wood murders — one of the most notorious and heartbreaking cases in British true crime history. In Part 1 of this two-part True Criminals special, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero are joined by journalist and author Jean Ritchie, co-author of My Girl: The Babes in the Woods Murders — A Mother's Fight for Justice with Karen's mother, Michelle Hadaway. We examine the disappearance and murders of Karen Hadaway and Nicola Fellows, the original police investigation, the search of Wild Park and why suspicion fell on Russell Bishop. We also explore the crucial evidence surrounding the blue Pinto sweatshirt, the weaknesses in the prosecution case and Bishop's 1987 acquittal at Lewes Crown Court. Jean reveals the devastating human story behind the headlines: Michelle's desperate search for her daughter while seven months pregnant, the impact of Bishop's acquittal, the false suspicions that later surrounded Nicola's father Barry Fellows, and the extraordinary emotional toll the case took on both families. For more than three decades, Karen and Nicola's families waited for justice. This is the story of two little girls, two grieving families and a murder case that would haunt Brighton for 31 years. SPECIAL GUEST: JEAN RITCHIE READ THE BOOK My Girl: The Babes in the Woods Murders — A Mother's Fight for Justice by Michelle Hadaway with Jean Ritchie. https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/454786/my-girl-by-hadaway-michelle/9781804943526 SUPPORT TRUE CRIMINALS Listen ad free and access bonus content and our full catalogue on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE FOLLOW TRUE CRIMINALS Instagram: @true.criminalsTikTok: @truecriminalspodcast FOLLOW MARTIN BRUNT Twitter/X: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin's career and the cases he has covered in his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Buy Martin's book:https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY FOLLOW HELEN FOSPERO Instagram: @helenfospero Listen to Helen's podcast, The Convex Conversation:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 PRODUCTION CREDITS True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Website:https://www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals Executive Producer: Lee MannProducer: Russell BarnesAudio Production: BLEACHEDMusic Composition: BLEACHEDArtwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did you know True Criminals is on Patreon? You can listen ad free and enjoy exclusive bonus content, just like the episode you’re listening to right now. Please enjoy, and if you’d like to become a Patreon member, head over to:https://www.patreon.com/truecriminals We welcome Kerry Daynes back to True Criminals for the second of two conversations with one of Britain’s leading consultant forensic psychologists. Last time, we explored Kerry’s encounters with serial killer Dennis Nilsen. This time, the focus is Kerry herself and her extraordinary career spent sitting opposite some of the most dangerous and complex people in the criminal justice system. Kerry takes us back to Wakefield Prison in 1996, when, aged just 21, she entered an intimidating and deeply misogynistic environment to begin her career in forensic psychology. She recalls interviewing men convicted of rape and murder, being deliberately locked in a cell with a killer, and learning how to manage fear, authority and control. There are darker stories and some unexpectedly funny ones, including the convicted double murderer who repeatedly dropped his prosthetic eye into Kerry’s tomato soup. Learning not to react became a lesson in psychology she still uses today. Kerry explains what forensic psychologists actually do, how she builds rapport with dangerous offenders without becoming their audience, and why understanding someone’s behaviour is very different from excusing it. She also discusses her approach of “rational compassion” and the importance of remaining authentic when dealing with people capable of extreme violence. We hear about offenders who successfully deceived her, cases that got under her skin, and the day a man she was assessing stabbed her in the stomach with a kebab skewer, an incident she describes as a bad day, but not the worst of her career. The conversation also turns to two criminals previously examined on True Criminals: conman Mark Acklom and Charles Bronson, now Charles Salvador. Kerry has worked professionally with Salvador and gave evidence at his public parole hearing. She offers her perspective on the man behind the mythology and considers how decades of imprisonment have shaped him. Finally, Kerry talks candidly about losing her hearing, why it led her to step away from expert witness work, and why forensic psychology remains not simply a career, but a vocation. SUPPORT TRUE CRIMINALS Listen ad free and access bonus content and our full catalogue on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE FOLLOW TRUE CRIMINALS Instagram: @true.criminalsTikTok: @truecriminalspodcast FOLLOW MARTIN BRUNT Twitter/X: @skymartinbrunt Discover more about Martin’s career and the cases he has covered in his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter. Buy Martin’s book:https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY FOLLOW HELEN FOSPERO Instagram: @helenfospero Listen to Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 PRODUCTION CREDITS True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Website:https://www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals Executive Producer: Lee MannProducer: Russell BarnesAudio Production: BLEACHEDMusic Composition: BLEACHEDArtwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this second of two special episodes of True Criminals, journalists Helen Fospero and Martin Brunt are joined once again by investigative journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown, whose reporting helped expose Malaysia’s extraordinary 1MDB scandal and the disappearance of billions of dollars from a state investment fund. With former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak behind bars, the investigation turns to the mysterious financier Jho Low, the fugitive businessman at the centre of the scandal, whose extravagant spending brought him into the orbit of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Rewcastle Brown reveals how money stolen from 1MDB helped finance The Wolf of Wall Street, and how Low showered celebrities with extraordinary gifts, including a Picasso painting for Leonardo DiCaprio and millions of dollars’ worth of jewellery for supermodel Miranda Kerr. From champagne-fuelled parties in Las Vegas to private jets, priceless artwork and a quarter-of-a-billion-dollar superyacht, she describes a world of almost unimaginable excess – and the public money that helped pay for it. But Low’s disappearance following the first major 1MDB exposé in February 2015 would lead Rewcastle Brown towards an even more extraordinary story. In her latest investigation, detailed in her new book, The China Contract, she uncovers evidence of an alleged international cover-up involving Chinese state-linked companies, inflated infrastructure contracts and billions of dollars in secret financial transactions, designed, she alleges, to plug the enormous financial hole left by the 1MDB scandal. She explains how a mysterious leaked document first alerted her to an alleged $8bn scheme involving China's Belt and Road Initiative, and how a whistleblower who escaped from Kuwait with crucial documents helped her piece together the money trail. Rewcastle Brown also discusses her belief that Jho Low is hiding in China, the reported attempts to secure pardons in Malaysia and the United States, and her continuing efforts to trace billions she believes remain hidden within the international banking system. From Hollywood and Macau to China, Kuwait and London's financial institutions, this is a remarkable account of how corruption can cross borders, implicate powerful institutions and evade justice long after the original crime has been exposed. And at the heart of it all is a devastating question: what could those billions have done for the ordinary people of Malaysia, particularly the indigenous communities of Borneo, whose struggle first inspired Rewcastle Brown’s investigation? As she tells Helen and Martin, the story is far from over. There is still missing money to trace, powerful institutions to scrutinise and new evidence to uncover. Clare Rewcastle Brown’s latest book, The China Contract: The Inside Story of the World's Biggest Financial Scandal … and How It Was Covered Up, continues her investigation into the 1MDB affair. Find The China Contract here: https://saqibooks.com/books/the-westbourne-press/the-china-contract/?utm_source=truecrime&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=truecrimepodcast  SUPPORT THE SHOW Listen ad-free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal: ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠  FOLLOW TRUE CRIMINALS Instagram: @true.criminals TikTok: @truecriminalspodcast CONNECT WITH MARTIN BRUNT Follow Martin on Twitter at @skymartinbrunt. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠  CONNECT WITH HELEN FOSPERO Follow Helen on Instagram at @helenfospero and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠  CREDITS True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit: ⁠https://www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠  Executive Producer: Lee Mann  Producer: Russell Barnes  Audio Production: BLEACHED  Music Composition:BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 11, 2001, Helen Fospero stood on the fire escape of her New York apartment and watched the unthinkable unfold. Living just blocks from the World Trade Center and working as a British television correspondent in New York, Helen witnessed the second plane strike the Twin Towers. Then, as she tried to contact her cameraman and understand what was happening, she watched the South Tower collapse before her eyes. Twenty five years later, Helen shares her deeply personal memories of 9/11 with her True Criminals co host, veteran crime reporter Martin Brunt. For this special episode, their usual roles are reversed. Martin asks the questions as Helen recounts the confusion of those first moments, the fear on the streets below her apartment, the collapse of both towers, and the instinct that took over as she went from witness to reporter on one of the darkest days in modern history. Helen remembers arriving at Ground Zero in the hours after the attacks and seeing firefighters searching desperately through the rubble for survivors. She recalls the families searching for missing loved ones, the stories of extraordinary courage she encountered in the days and weeks that followed, and the remarkable humanity of a city experiencing unimaginable grief. She also reflects on the people whose stories have remained with her ever since, including survivors, bereaved families and firefighters who entered the towers as thousands of others were trying to escape. And she remembers one haunting moment after finishing her first broadcast from Ground Zero. Walking home through the silent streets of Manhattan, Helen looked back at the empty space in the skyline where the Twin Towers had stood and realised that nothing would ever be quite the same again. This is not simply the story of a journalist covering 9/11. It is the story of a woman who witnessed history from her own home, reported from Ground Zero in its immediate aftermath, and has carried the memories of the people she met there for a quarter of a century. In this deeply personal episode of True Criminals, Helen and Martin reflect on September 11, the investigation that followed, the courage of passengers and crew aboard the hijacked aircraft, the bravery of first responders, the survivors who escaped the World Trade Center, and the lasting impact of the attacks on New York and the wider world. We remember the 2,977 victims of the September 11 attacks, and all those whose lives were forever changed by that day. SUPPORT THE SHOW Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon: Support True Criminals on Patreon As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal: Support True Criminals via PayPal Instagram: @true.criminalsTikTok: @truecriminalspodcast Follow Martin on Twitter at @skymartinbrunt. Discover more about his career and the cases he has covered in his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter: Buy Martin Brunt’s book Follow Helen on Instagram at @helenfospero and listen to her podcast, The Convex Conversation: Listen to The Convex Conversation True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit True Criminals at Audio Bleach Global Executive Producer: Lee MannProducer: Russell BarnesAudio Production: BLEACHEDMusic Composition: BLEACHEDArtwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this first of two special episodes of True Criminals, journalists Helen Fospero and Martin Brunt are joined by investigative journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown, whose reporting helped expose the extraordinary corruption at the heart of Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal. Rewcastle Brown’s investigation began in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, where the destruction of tropical rainforest and the loss of indigenous land led her to investigate political corruption. Following the money would eventually take her to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the Malaysian state investment fund established under former prime minister Najib Razak. US prosecutors later alleged that more than $4.5bn was misappropriated from 1MDB, with money funnelled through shell companies and offshore accounts and spent on luxury property, jewellery, priceless art, a superyacht and assets connected to the financing of The Wolf of Wall Street. Rewcastle Brown reveals how leaked documents and whistleblower Xavier Justo helped her uncover a money trail involving PetroSaudi International and Malaysian financier Jho Low, the fugitive businessman alleged by US authorities to have played a central role in the scheme. Working from her kitchen table in London, she found herself taking on some of the most powerful people and institutions in international finance and politics. She describes legal threats, surveillance and intimidation, being targeted by Malaysian authorities – and the extraordinary moment she took her evidence to the FBI, helping to trigger a major US investigation into international kleptocracy and money laundering. From Goldman Sachs and offshore banking to Hollywood celebrities, Beverly Hills mansions and billions in missing money, this is the remarkable inside story of how determined investigative journalism helped expose a scandal that shook Malaysia, contributed to the downfall of a government and reverberated through financial institutions around the world. And this is only Part One. In Part Two, the investigation turns to Jho Low’s extraordinary Hollywood connections, his life as an international fugitive and Rewcastle Brown’s latest investigation into the alleged efforts to cover up the 1MDB financial hole – a trail that leads to China. Clare Rewcastle Brown’s latest book, The China Contract: The Inside Story of the World's Biggest Financial Scandal … and How It Was Covered Up, continues her investigation into the 1MDB affair. Find The China Contract here: https://saqibooks.com/books/the-westbourne-press/the-china-contract/?utm_source=truecrime&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=truecrimepodcast SUPPORT THE SHOW Listen ad-free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE FOLLOW TRUE CRIMINALS Instagram: @true.criminalsTikTok: @truecriminalspodcast CONNECT WITH MARTIN BRUNT Follow Martin on Twitter at @skymartinbrunt. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY CONNECT WITH HELEN FOSPERO Follow Helen on Instagram at @helenfospero and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 CREDITS True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit: https://www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals Executive Producer: Lee MannProducer: Russell BarnesAudio Production: BLEACHEDMusic Composition: BLEACHEDArtwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Please enjoy this complimentary extended episode! If you’d like more episodes like this, you can become a Patreon Insider Member, where you’ll get access to extended and bonus episodes, listen completely ad-free, and unlock our full back catalogue. Membership also includes a True Criminals coffee mug. Join us on Patreon and get even more from True Criminals: Become a True Criminals Patreon Insider ........................................... In Part One, Bill Clegg KC revealed how the case against Colin Stagg collapsed, leaving Rachel Nickell’s real killer free. In Part Two, the story turns to the man who actually murdered her: Robert Napper. Helen Fospero and Martin Brunt are once again joined by Bill, who found himself in an extraordinary position. Having defended Colin Stagg, he later represented Napper after he was charged with the brutal murders of Samantha Bissett and her four-year-old daughter Jasmine. Within an hour of reading the case papers, Bill became convinced Napper was also the man who had killed Rachel. He explains the striking similarities between the crimes, the warning signs and missed opportunities surrounding Napper, and why police tunnel vision may have allowed the real killer to remain free. Years later, advances in forensic science finally linked Napper to Rachel’s murder. Sixteen years after her death, he admitted killing her on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Bill also reflects on the wider lessons of the case: the pressure on police to find a suspect in high-profile investigations, the danger of assumptions taking the place of evidence, and the devastating human cost when an investigation goes wrong. Bill Clegg KC's book, Under the Wig: A Lawyer's Stories of Murder, Guilt and Innocence: ⁠https://www.quercusbooks.co.uk/titles/william-clegg/under-the-wig/9781529401240/⁠ SUPPORT THE SHOW As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal: ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠ FOLLOW TRUE CRIMINALS Instagram: @true.criminalsTikTok: @truecriminalspodcast CONNECT WITH MARTIN BRUNT Follow Martin on Twitter at @skymartinbrunt. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠ CONNECT WITH HELEN FOSPERO Follow Helen on Instagram at @helenfospero and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠ CREDITS True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit: ⁠https://www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ Executive Producer: Lee MannProducer: Russell BarnesAudio Production: BLEACHEDMusic Composition: BLEACHEDArtwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Part One, Bill Clegg KC revealed how the case against Colin Stagg collapsed, leaving Rachel Nickell’s real killer free. In Part Two, the story turns to the man who actually murdered her: Robert Napper. Helen Fospero and Martin Brunt are once again joined by Bill, who found himself in an extraordinary position. Having defended Colin Stagg, he later represented Napper after he was charged with the brutal murders of Samantha Bissett and her four-year-old daughter Jasmine. Within an hour of reading the case papers, Bill became convinced Napper was also the man who had killed Rachel. He explains the striking similarities between the crimes, the warning signs and missed opportunities surrounding Napper, and why police tunnel vision may have allowed the real killer to remain free. Years later, advances in forensic science finally linked Napper to Rachel’s murder. Sixteen years after her death, he admitted killing her on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Bill also reflects on the wider lessons of the case: the pressure on police to find a suspect in high-profile investigations, the danger of assumptions taking the place of evidence, and the devastating human cost when an investigation goes wrong. Bill Clegg KC's book, Under the Wig: A Lawyer's Stories of Murder, Guilt and Innocence: https://www.quercusbooks.co.uk/titles/william-clegg/under-the-wig/9781529401240/ SUPPORT THE SHOW Listen ad-free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE FOLLOW TRUE CRIMINALS Instagram: @true.criminalsTikTok: @truecriminalspodcast CONNECT WITH MARTIN BRUNT Follow Martin on Twitter at @skymartinbrunt. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY CONNECT WITH HELEN FOSPERO Follow Helen on Instagram at @helenfospero and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 CREDITS True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit: https://www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals Executive Producer: Lee MannProducer: Russell BarnesAudio Production: BLEACHEDMusic Composition: BLEACHEDArtwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In July 1992, Rachel Nickell was murdered in broad daylight on Wimbledon Common, with her two year old son nearby. The killing shocked Britain and triggered one of the most controversial murder investigations in modern British history. Helen Fospero and Martin Brunt are joined by Bill Clegg KC, the barrister who defended Colin Stagg, the innocent man police accused of Rachel's murder. With no forensic evidence or confession linking Stagg to the crime, investigators launched an extraordinary undercover "honey trap", using a female police officer to try to persuade him to confess. The confession never came. Bill reveals what went wrong inside the investigation, how he dismantled the prosecution at the Old Bailey, and what happened when the case against Stagg spectacularly collapsed. Meanwhile, Rachel Nickell's real killer was still free. Bill Clegg KC's book, Under the Wig: A Lawyer's Stories of Murder, Guilt and Innocence:https://www.quercusbooks.co.uk/titles/william-clegg/under-the-wig/9781529401240/ ......... Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠⁠. As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠ Follow True Criminals Instagram: ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ TikTok: @truecriminalspodcast Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit ⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠ for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann. Producer: Russell Barnes. Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We welcome Kerry Daynes back to True Criminals for the second of two conversations with one of Britain’s leading consultant forensic psychologists. Last time, we explored Kerry’s encounters with serial killer Dennis Nilsen. This time, the story is Kerry herself and an extraordinary career spent sitting opposite some of the most dangerous and complex people in the criminal justice system. Kerry takes us back to Wakefield Prison in 1996, when, aged just 21, she entered a deeply intimidating and misogynistic environment to begin her career in forensic psychology. She recalls interviewing men convicted of rape and murder, being deliberately locked in a cell with a killer, and the lessons she learned about fear, authority and maintaining control. There are darker stories and some unexpectedly funny ones. Kerry tells us why a convicted double murderer repeatedly dropped his prosthetic eye into her tomato soup, and how learning not to react became a lesson in psychology she still uses today. We explore what forensic psychologists actually do, how Kerry builds rapport with dangerous offenders without becoming their audience, and why understanding someone’s behaviour is very different from excusing it. She explains her approach of “rational compassion” and the importance of remaining authentic when interviewing and assessing people capable of extreme violence. Kerry also discusses occasions when offenders have successfully deceived her, the cases that have got under her skin, and the day a man she was assessing stabbed her in the stomach with a kebab skewer, an incident she remarkably describes as a bad day, but not the worst of her career. We also turn to two criminals previously examined on True Criminals: conman Mark Acklom, and one of Britain’s most notorious prisoners, Charles Bronson, now Charles Salvador. Kerry, who has worked professionally with Salvador and gave evidence at his public parole hearing, offers a fascinating psychological perspective on the man behind the mythology and asks how decades of imprisonment have shaped the person he became. Finally, Kerry talks candidly about losing her hearing, why it led her to step away from expert witness work, and why forensic psychology remains not simply a career but a vocation. It’s a conversation about violence and vulnerability, nature and nurture, punishment and rehabilitation, but above all, about the human beings behind some of the darkest acts imaginable. Find more from Kerry Daynes The Profiler with Kerry DaynesKerry examines British murder cases and the psychology behind them.Listen to The Profiler The Dark Side of the MindKerry’s Sunday Times bestselling account of life and work as a forensic psychologist.The Dark Side of the Mind What Lies BuriedKerry goes deeper into the psychology behind extreme and disturbing behaviour and the question of what makes someone dangerous.What Lies Buried ................................................... Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠⁠⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED  Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Bailey returns to the studio for the second part of our conversation examining the Jimmy Savile case and its lasting impact on safeguarding and policing in Britain. For decades, Savile was able to exploit children and vulnerable people while enjoying extraordinary access to respected institutions and widespread public admiration. How did his offending remain unchecked for so long, and why were so many opportunities to intervene lost? In this episode of True Criminals, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero continue their discussion with Simon Bailey, former Chief Constable of Norfolk Constabulary and former National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Child Protection. Simon led Operation Hydrant following the exposure of Savile’s crimes and is now Chair of Trustees at Embrace Child Survivors of Crime. Drawing on his extensive experience investigating child sexual abuse, Simon explores what the Savile revelations exposed about institutional safeguarding, how they changed the way allegations of abuse are investigated, and why survivors may take many years before feeling able to disclose what happened to them. The conversation also considers what policing, healthcare and other institutions have learned since the scandal, and the difficult balance investigators must maintain: listening to and supporting survivors while conducting investigations that are impartial, evidence-led and committed to achieving justice. Support Information This podcast contains discussions of child sexual abuse and exploitation, which some listeners may find upsetting or distressing. If anything discussed in this episode resonates with you, your child, or someone you know, please remember that free, specialist support is available. Embrace Child Survivors of Crime, proud partners of True Criminals, are a national children's charity providing free specialist support to children, young people and families affected by serious crime, including child sexual abuse. Embrace offers remote emotional support and counselling for children and young people aged 11 and over, helping them process trauma, understand their feelings, rebuild confidence and begin their recovery. For parents and carers, Embrace delivers You Are Enough™, a free, therapist-facilitated peer support programme for adults supporting a child who has experienced sexual abuse. Delivered remotely over ten sessions, the programme provides a safe, supportive space to connect with others who understand, process the impact of trauma, and access practical guidance to help families move forward. To learn more about the support available, or to make a referral for yourself or your family, please visit Embrace Child Survivors of Crime. https://www.embracecsoc.org.uk .................................. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠⁠. As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted... Follow True Criminals Instagram: ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ TikTok: @truecriminalspodcast Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast.... Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit ⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠ for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann. Producer: Russell Barnes. Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Few people spent time talking to Dennis Nilsen after his conviction. Consultant forensic psychologist, Sunday Times bestselling author and host of The Profiler with Kerry Daynes, Kerry Daynes, did. In this episode of True Criminals, Kerry reflects on her conversations and correspondence with one of Britain's most infamous serial killers, offering rare insight into the psychology behind his crimes while refusing to accept the myths and self-serving narratives he spent years constructing. Joined by journalist Helen Fospero and crime reporter Martin Brunt, she explores the making of a murderer, the danger of allowing killers to control their own legacy, and why understanding is not the same as excusing. This episode examines the murders committed by Dennis Nilsen between 1978 and 1983, his calculated targeting of vulnerable young men, the investigation that exposed his crimes, and the psychological themes of narcissism, fantasy, coercive control and necrophilia that shaped his offending. If you're interested in Dennis Nilsen, Kerry Daynes, true crime, criminal psychology, forensic psychology, serial killers, British crime history, or the real stories behind Britain's most notorious murder cases, this is an essential listen. Kerry is also the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Dark Side of the Mind and What Lies Buried, and hosts the acclaimed podcast The Profiler with Kerry Daynes. Listen to the podcast here: The Profiler with Kerry Daynes. Explore Kerry's books on her Amazon author page here: Kerry Daynes Amazon author page. Victims: Stephen Holmes, Kenneth Ockenden, Martin Duffy, William Sutherland, Malcolm Barlow, John Howlett, Graham Allen and Stephen Sinclair. Dennis Nilsen also admitted killing additional men whose identities have never been confirmed. Survivors: Carl Stotter and another unidentified survivor escaped Nilsen's murder attempts, providing important evidence about his methods. .................................... Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED  Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forty years after the disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh, former Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Michael Barley returns to True Criminals to revisit one of Britain's most haunting unsolved cases. As the officer who established the original incident room on the night Suzy vanished and remained involved in the investigation for more than a decade, Mike offers an extraordinary insider's account of the decisions, frustrations and missed opportunities that shaped one of the UK's most notorious missing person investigations. In this exclusive interview, Mike reflects on the original inquiry, the emergence of prime suspect John Cannan, and reveals why he still believes a search of Norton Barracks could have changed the course of the case forever. He also discusses the realities of policing in 1986, long before CCTV, mobile phones and modern forensic techniques transformed major investigations, and explains why, after four decades, he felt it was finally time to tell the full story. Mike also talks about the emotional process of writing his new book with True Criminals producer Russell Barnes, sharing never-before-told insights into the investigation, the challenges faced by detectives, and the lasting impact Suzy's disappearance had on policing, personal safety and the families left searching for answers. 📖 Susie Lamplugh: The Inside Story of Britain's Most Notorious Missing Person Investigation by Michael Barley and Russell Barnes is out now. You can buy your copy here: Amazon UK. ......... Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠⁠. As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠ Follow True Criminals Instagram: ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ TikTok: @truecriminalspodcast Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit ⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠ for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann. Producer: Russell Barnes. Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How was Jimmy Savile able to abuse children and vulnerable people for decades while surrounded by powerful institutions, public admiration and extraordinary access? In this powerful episode of True Criminals, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero examine one of the most significant safeguarding failures in modern British history, exploring how opportunities to stop a prolific offender were repeatedly missed and what those failures continue to teach us today. Joining us is Simon Bailey, former Chief Constable of Norfolk Constabulary, former National Police Chiefs' Council Lead for Child Protection, who led Operation Hydrant following the exposure of Savile's crimes, and now Chair of Trustees of Embrace Child Survivors of Crime. Drawing on decades of policing experience, Simon explains how the revelations surrounding Savile transformed the investigation of child sexual abuse, why survivors often remain silent for years, and how policing, healthcare and public institutions have changed in response. Together, we discuss the importance of believing and supporting survivors while ensuring investigations remain fair, evidence-led and focused on justice. Support Information This podcast contains discussions of child sexual abuse and exploitation, which some listeners may find upsetting or distressing. If anything discussed in this episode resonates with you, your child, or someone you know, please remember that free, specialist support is available. Embrace Child Survivors of Crime, proud partners of True Criminals, are a national children's charity providing free specialist support to children, young people and families affected by serious crime, including child sexual abuse. Embrace offers remote emotional support and counselling for children and young people aged 11 and over, helping them process trauma, understand their feelings, rebuild confidence and begin their recovery. For parents and carers, Embrace delivers You Are Enough™, a free, therapist-facilitated peer support programme for adults supporting a child who has experienced sexual abuse. Delivered remotely over ten sessions, the programme provides a safe, supportive space to connect with others who understand, process the impact of trauma, and access practical guidance to help families move forward. To learn more about the support available, or to make a referral for yourself or your family, please visit Embrace Child Survivors of Crime. https://www.embracecsoc.org.uk ................................. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠⁠. As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠ Follow True Criminals Instagram: ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ TikTok: @truecriminalspodcast Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit ⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠ for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann. Producer: Russell Barnes. Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're still pinching ourselves... 🎉 In this short bonus episode, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero reflect on an unforgettable evening at the True Crime Awards, where we were honoured to win Most Captivating Hosts. A huge thank you to everyone at the True Crime Awards, the judging panel, and everyone involved in recognising the work that goes into bringing these stories to you each week. Most importantly, thank you for listening, supporting the podcast, and being part of our incredible community. If you've enjoyed the show, we'd love it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, give us a thumbs up wherever you listen, or follow the show so you never miss an episode. Every review, rating and recommendation really helps more people discover the podcast. From Martin and Helen, thank you once again for your support—we couldn't have done it without you. ........................... Follow True Criminals Instagram: ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ TikTok: @truecriminalspodcast  Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit ⁠⁠www.truecriminals.co.uk⁠⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: BLEACHED  Music Composition: BLEACHED  Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on True Criminals, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero revisit one of the most infamous murder cases in British history, the story of Dr Hawley Harvey Crippen. Joined by bestselling historian and author Hallie Rubenhold, they explore the murder of Belle Elmore and the extraordinary investigation that gripped the Edwardian world, from the first international manhunt to the pioneering use of wireless telegraphy. Drawing on Hallie's acclaimed book Story of a Murder, the conversation moves beyond the familiar legend of Crippen to uncover the lives of the women at the heart of the case, offering a compelling new perspective on a crime that has shaped true crime history for more than a century. Find Hallie Rubenhold's Story of a Murder here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/441693/story-of-a-murder-by-rubenhold-hallie/9781804992920 .......... Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠⁠. As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠ Follow True Criminals Instagram: ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ TikTok: @truecriminalspodcast Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit ⁠⁠www.truecriminals.co.uk⁠⁠ for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann. Producer: Russell Barnes. Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of True Criminals, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero take a closer look at ITV’s powerful drama Believe Me, which tells the story of convicted black cab rapist John Worboys through the experiences of his victims. Having both followed and covered the case, Martin and Helen discuss how the four-part drama brings one of Britain’s most shocking criminal cases back into focus — not by centring Worboys, but by telling the story of the women who survived his attacks and the fight to be believed. They explore the performances, the difficult realities behind the drama, the police failings that allowed Worboys’ offending to continue, and why the battle for justice did not end with his conviction. Martin shares his memories of seeing Worboys in court, the evidence that ultimately exposed the scale of his crimes, and the disturbing details that revealed the man behind the headlines. They also discuss Carrie Johnson’s extraordinary role in helping keep Worboys behind bars and why her story became such an important part of the fight for victims’ voices to be heard. A powerful discussion about true crime, dramatisation, accountability and the women at the heart of one of the UK’s most infamous cases. ......... Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠⁠. As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠ Follow True Criminals Instagram: ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ TikTok: @truecriminalspodcast Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit ⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠ for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann. Producer: Russell Barnes. Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At True Criminals, we spend much of our time examining criminal investigations, court cases and the pursuit of justice. But what happens after the headlines fade? What support exists for children and families living with the lasting impact of crime? We are incredibly proud to launch the first of four special episodes created in partnership with Embrace Child Survivors of Crime, a remarkable charity dedicated to helping children and young people recover from trauma, abuse and violence. Through this special series, we hope to shine a light on the vital work Embrace does every day, raise awareness of the challenges faced by child survivors of crime, and support the charity's mission to ensure no child or family has to face the impact of crime alone. For this first instalment, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero are joined in the studio by Embrace CEO Jo Procter. Drawing on more than 25 years of safeguarding experience, Jo explains how Embrace supports children affected by domestic abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, serious violence and major incidents, regardless of whether a crime is reported or prosecuted. She discusses why so many children struggle to speak about what has happened to them, how trauma often reveals itself through behaviour rather than words, and why being heard can be the first step towards healing. The conversation explores the hidden impact of crime on children and families, the challenges faced when cases do not reach court, and the growing risks posed by online exploitation. Jo also shares powerful examples of young people who, with the right support, have been able to rebuild their lives and move forward after experiencing significant harm. Martin reflects on some of the major child abuse investigations he has covered throughout his career, including the abuse scandals in Jersey care homes and football, while Helen and Jo discuss the importance of recognising the signs that a child may be struggling, even when they are unable to disclose what has happened directly. The episode also examines the support provided to families affected by major incidents and acts of terrorism, including the Manchester Arena bombing, and the importance of long term care once the immediate emergency response has ended. Together, they discuss what needs to change to better protect children, from listening more carefully to children's experiences, to improving collaboration between agencies, and ensuring long term support services receive sustainable funding. This is a thoughtful and important conversation about resilience, recovery and the people working tirelessly to ensure that children affected by crime are not forgotten. If you or your family have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this podcast, Embrace Child Survivors of Crime is here for you. Embrace is a national children's charity offering free support across the UK. From remote emotional support and counselling for children and young people to days out, family activities and parental peer support programmes, Embrace is here to help children and families recover from the impact of crime and trauma. The majority of services are free to access and can be applied for directly through the charity's website: https://www.embracecsoc.org.uk Support is available regardless of whether a crime has been reported or prosecuted. We are here waiting to help you, so please get in touch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A black cab was once considered the safest way home. For dozens of women, that faith was destroyed by one of Britain’s most prolific sexual predators. In this special episode, we speak to Carrie Johnson, who was 19 when she got into a London black cab driven by the convicted serial rapist John Worboys. Johnson recounts the night she accepted what seemed an ordinary lift home, her role as a key witness at Worboys’ trial, and her later campaign to overturn the decision to release him from prison. She reflects on the culture of disbelief many victims faced and the fight that forced greater transparency from the parole system. The case has returned to the spotlight with ITV’s Believe Me, a drama told from the victims’ perspective. Since speaking publicly about her experience and following the series’ broadcast, Johnson says around 10 women have contacted her believing they may also have encountered Worboys. Some believe they were drugged. Others say they were assaulted. Several say they reported their experiences to police but were told their evidence was not needed. For Johnson, the question remains unresolved: has the true scale of Worboys’ offending ever been fully understood? Information for Potential Witnesses and Victims Any woman who believes she may have been in Worboys' cab and had a similar experience, or anyone with information that could assist investigators, is urged to call 101 and quote Operation Safford. The Metropolitan Police have also created a dedicated reference number: CAD 4648/23MAY26. Quoting this reference will help call handlers identify the nature of the call more quickly. Those who would prefer to make contact by email can do so at CIT@met.police.uk. ...................................... Support the Show Listen ad free and unlock our full catalogue, plus receive a True Criminals coffee mug, by joining us on Patreon: Patreon: www.patreon.com/truecriminals As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. If you'd like to help, you can also make a donation via PayPal: PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Instagram: @true.criminals YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals X: @skymartinbrunt Find out more about Martin's career and the cases he has covered in his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Instagram: @helenfospero Listen to Helen's podcast, The Convex Conversation: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. For more information, visit: truecriminals.co.uk Executive Producer: Lee Mann Producer: Russell Barnes Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor remains at the centre of an increasingly complex criminal investigation. In this special briefing episode of True Criminals, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero discuss the latest developments in the ongoing case and what they could mean moving forward. What initially appeared to be an inquiry connected to Andrew's former role as a UK trade envoy and his association with Jeffrey Epstein has reportedly widened significantly, with investigators examining potential allegations including sex offences, fraud, corruption, misconduct in public office, and perverting the course of justice. Martin breaks down the latest police activity, emerging witness accounts, and the legal challenges facing investigators and prosecutors as the case continues to develop. With authorities actively seeking further witnesses and potential victims, and new allegations reportedly emerging from both the United States and the United Kingdom, scrutiny surrounding the Duke of York continues to intensify. As questions mount over what happens next, Martin and Helen Fospero explore why this has evolved beyond a royal controversy into one of the most closely watched criminal investigations in Britain. #PrinceAndrew #DukeOfYork #TrueCriminals #JeffreyEpstein #RoyalScandal ................................ Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠⁠.  As an ind ependent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠ Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition:BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the final chapter of this special three part series from True Criminals, the Brink’s Mat saga reaches its chilling, unsolved conclusion. The story moves from the immediate aftermath of the heist to the long, violent shadow it cast over the criminal underworld for more than three decades—culminating in a quiet garden in Essex. Hosts Martin and Helen are reunited with former Metropolitan Police Commander and head of the Flying Squad, Roy Ramm, to trace the extraordinary life and mysterious death of John “Goldfinger” Palmer. A Bristol jeweler who provided the commercial cover needed to melt down, contaminate, and disperse the stolen bullion, Palmer managed to beat the Brink's Mat handling charges in court, only to build a fraudulent timeshare empire fueled by violence and offshore laundering. The episode explores Palmer's brazen audacity—including the surreal moment he chose to cross examine police leadership while defending himself in a multi million pound fraud trial—and the massive institutional failures that allowed banks to handle bags of his cash unchallenged. Roy and Martin reflect on the infamous "Golden Week" lost by investigators when Palmer was gunned down by a professional assassin in 2015, a contract killing that remains unsolved to this day. As the team looks back on the 43 year legacy of Britain's biggest bullion robbery, they examine the dark myth of the "Curse of Brink's Mat," a trail of untimely deaths that claimed figures like Charlie Wilson and Solly Nahome. This finale exposes how a single morning raid unexpected of gold forced Scotland Yard to fundamentally change how it fought organized crime, forever altering the landscape of global financial policing. This is the final chapter of a modern British tragedy—a story of indestructible commodities, ruined lives, professional hits, and an ending that remains completely unwritten. ................................ Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠⁠.  As an ind ependent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠ Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition:BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Part Two of this special three part series from True Criminals, the Brink’s-Mat robbery enters a darker and far more complicated phase. The gold is gone, melted down and scattered through a web of handlers, front businesses and international money laundering networks stretching from London to the Caribbean. Hosts Martin and Helen continue the story with former Metropolitan Police Commander and former head of the Flying Squad, Roy Ramm, who reveals how detectives tried to recover the stolen bullion and unravel the criminal empire growing around it. From tense prison meetings with convicted robbers Mickey McAvoy and Brian Robinson, to secret negotiations involving missing gold, Roy describes the extraordinary behind the scenes efforts to claw back the proceeds of Britain’s biggest bullion robbery. The episode explores the rise of notorious underworld figures Kenneth Noye, Brian Reader and John “Goldfinger” Palmer, and the difficulties police faced proving criminal handling once the bullion had been melted beyond recognition. Roy also reflects on the murder of undercover detective John Fordham, the emotional toll it took on Scotland Yard, and the increasingly sophisticated surveillance operations used to track those involved. As the investigation expands beyond armed robbery into offshore banking, corrupt professionals and global money laundering, Brink’s-Mat becomes something much bigger than a single heist. It becomes the blueprint for modern organised crime in Britain. This is the story of hidden fortunes, criminal networks, failed deals, and the long shadow cast by the Brink’s-Mat gold. ................................ Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠ Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition:BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special episode of True Criminals, we examine the latest Operation Captura campaign, the long-running international manhunt led in partnership with the National Crime Agency, Crimestoppers, Spanish law enforcement, and UK policing partners. Marking 20 years of Operation Captura, authorities have released a new Most Wanted list featuring 12 fugitives believed to be hiding in, or linked to, Spain. The men are wanted in connection with serious offences including murder, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Since launching in 2006, Operation Captura has helped locate and apprehend 98 out of 111 fugitives featured through public appeals — proving that information from the public can make a real difference. Areas linked to this year’s fugitives include Tenerife, Marbella, Alicante, and Malaga. As the National Crime Agency states: “Spain is not a safe haven for fugitives.” ⚠️ IF YOU SEE OR RECOGNISE A FUGITIVE, DO NOT APPROACH THEM. REPORT THEM IMMEDIATELY. ☎️ UK CRIMESTOPPERS: 0800 555 111☎️ CRIMESTOPPERS SPAIN: 900 926 111 ALL REPORTS TO CRIMESTOPPERS ARE COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS.Crimestoppers is an independent charity. They do not ask for your name, cannot trace your call or IP address, and you will never have to give evidence in court. Your information could help bring dangerous offenders to justice while keeping your identity protected. Find out more:• National Crime Agency• Crimestoppers UK• Operation Captura ................................ Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an ind ependent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition:BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When six masked men burst into the Brinks Mat warehouse near Heathrow in the early hours of 26 November 1983, they expected cash. Instead, they stumbled upon nearly 6,800 gold bars worth £26 million, the biggest bullion robbery in British history. What followed would become one of the most notorious and far reaching criminal investigations the UK has ever seen. In Part One of this special three part series from True Criminals, hosts Martin and Helen unravel the violent raid that shocked Britain and changed organised crime forever. From terrified security guards and an inside man who opened the vault doors, to career criminals Kenneth Noye, Brian Reader and “Mad” Mickey McAvoy, we trace the chaotic first days after the robbery and the desperate race to turn stolen gold into cash. Joining us in the studio is former Metropolitan Police Commander and former head of the Flying Squad, Roy Ramm, who brings extraordinary insight into the investigation from the perspective of Scotland Yard. Roy explains how Brinks Mat marked the beginning of a colder, more sophisticated era of British organised crime, and why the murder of Detective Constable John Fordham changed the case forever. This is the story of greed, violence, corruption and the “Curse of Brinks Mat”, a case whose fallout still echoes decades later. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition:BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just as he appeared to be edging closer to release, Charles Bronson was abruptly transferred to one of the most restrictive environments in the UK prison system. In this True Criminals briefing, we examine the circumstances surrounding his sudden move to HM Prison Wakefield and his placement inside what is known as the cage, effectively a prison within a prison. The decision was made without prior warning to his legal team, raising immediate concerns. Access to his solicitor was limited, his artwork withheld, and no clear explanation was provided by the authorities. The cage itself is reserved for those deemed the highest risk, involving extreme isolation and minimal human contact. The timing is particularly significant. Bronson’s parole hearing, already delayed, is expected later this year, and recent expectations had been that he would move to a less restrictive regime to demonstrate progress. Instead, events appear to have taken a markedly different course. There has since been a development. Bronson has been moved out of the cage and into a Close Supervision Centre, though conditions remain tightly controlled. Questions persist as to why these decisions were taken and what impact they may have on his bid for release. This episode sets out the latest verified information, the concerns raised by his legal team, and the wider implications for a case that continues to attract national attention. ........................ Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠⁠. As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠ Follow True Criminals Instagram: ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ TikTok: @truecriminalspodcast Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit ⁠⁠www.truecriminals.co.uk for more information Executive Producer: Lee Mann. Producer: Russell Barnes. Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of True Criminals, we revisit the haunting case of Muriel McKay, the 1969 kidnap victim whose body has never been found. Joining us in the studio is her grandson Mark Dyer, who shares a deeply personal update on the family’s relentless search for answers. After offering a one million pound reward, a new lead emerged that pointed to a possible burial site behind a betting shop in East London, triggering a dramatic excavation and a discovery that briefly raised hopes of a breakthrough. But as forensic testing begins and questions remain, we ask the crucial question: could this really be her, or is this another dead end in one of Britain’s most enduring mysteries. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition:BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The trail for a child’s killer had gone cold. The investigation was, in Neil Basu’s own words, “wobbling.” Then, from the shadows of North West London, a single street name emerged: Cane. In the gripping conclusion of this two-part True Criminals special, Neil Basu QPM returns to reveal how the hunt for Toni-Ann Byfield’s murderer stretched from the streets of London to the heart of Toxteth, Liverpool. What follows is a story of calculated risk, psychological strategy, and a detective determined that no grieving family should ever feel “second best.” In Part 2, Neil reveals: • The Toxteth Manhunt – The bold move of taking Metropolitan Police surveillance into Liverpool 8, and the cross-border cooperation that kept the operation alive• The “Crimewatch” Trap – How a carefully planned TV appeal sparked a panicked confession from inside a prison cell• The Interview Room Gambit – A moment of psychological strategy, as a detective adopted a “doctor’s” persona to place the killer at the scene• The Breaking Point – Neil’s candid reflection on the emotion of the Old Bailey trial, and why failures in social services still resonate in this case Read Neil’s memoir, Turmoil: 30 Years of Policing, Politics and Prejudice:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turmoil-Years-Policing-Politics-Prejudice-ebook/dp/B0DG9DVMTK?ref_=ast_author_mpb Listen to his podcast, The Crime Agents:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crime-agents/id1820933088 Support the show and listen ad-free on Patreon:www.patreon.com/truecriminals You can also donate via PayPal:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals on Instagram: @true.criminalsSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals Connect with Martin Brunt on Twitter: @skymartinbruntRead his book: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen Fospero on Instagram: @helenfosperoListen to The Convex Conversation: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.Find out more: www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals Executive Producer: Lee MannProducer: Russell BarnesAudio Production: BLEACHEDMusic Composition: BLEACHEDArtwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early hours of September 14, 2003, seven-year-old Toni-Ann Byfield was fatally shot in the back inside a cramped bedsit in North London. She became a tragic victim of a violent drug feud—an innocent child caught in the crossfire after witnessing the murder of the man she knew as her father, Bertram “Blacker” Byfield. In this exclusive two-part episode of True Criminals, we’re joined by Neil Basu QPM, former Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Senior Investigating Officer who led Operation Trident’s pursuit of the killer. In Part 1, Neil shares: The intense pressure of leading a “Category A” murder investigation in the aftermath of the Macpherson Report How a single “broken cigarette” clue nearly caused the case to collapse The emotional toll of supporting grieving families while managing 16 other homicide investigations The pivotal moment when a national TV appeal changed the course of the case Neil Basu is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most accomplished detectives. After a distinguished career tackling organized crime, gang violence, and terrorism, he retired as Head of UK Counter-Terrorism and the highest-ranking officer of color in British policing history. Read Neil’s memoir: Turmoil: 30 Years of Policing, Politics and Prejudice – an unflinching account of his career, including the Toni-Ann Byfield case. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turmoil-Years-Policing-Politics-Prejudice-ebook/dp/B0DG9DVMTK?ref_=ast_author_mpb Listen to his podcast: The Crime Agents on Apple Podcasts, where Neil explores how major criminal investigations unfold behind the scenes. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-crime-agents/id1820933088 Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the second and final part of this special two-part series, True Criminals continues its examination of the case of Lucy Letby — the neonatal nurse convicted at Manchester Crown Court of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Letby is currently serving multiple whole life orders, following convictions secured after a lengthy investigation by Cheshire Police known as Operation Hummingbird. At trial, the prosecution argued that babies were deliberately harmed through methods including air embolism, insulin administration and physical interference. But the case has since become the subject of intense debate among some medical experts, legal commentators and campaigners who question whether the convictions are safe. In this episode, Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero explore the ongoing arguments surrounding the evidence presented to the jury — including the medical testimony, statistical analysis and clinical interpretations that played a central role in the prosecution case. Our guest once again is consultant neonatologist Dr Svilena Dimitrova, who has reviewed large parts of the medical evidence used during the trial. She discusses why she believes some of the conclusions presented in court are deeply flawed, raising questions about issues including the interpretation of insulin test results, the statistical chart used to link Letby to baby collapses, and the clinical understanding of events inside the neonatal unit. Dr Dimitrova also addresses the controversial question of whether systemic failures within the hospital — including staffing pressures, clinical oversight and wider NHS challenges — may provide alternative explanations for some of the tragedies that occurred on the unit in 2015 and 2016. The episode examines why the defence at trial called no expert medical witnesses, the role played by prosecution expert testimony, and the debate now unfolding among specialists about how complex neonatal medicine was presented to a jury. We also explore what could happen next in the legal process. Letby’s legal team has asked the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to examine the case, a step that could potentially lead to the Court of Appeal reviewing the convictions if the commission finds grounds that they may be unsafe. At the centre of this story remain the babies who died or collapsed and the families who continue to live with the consequences of those events. Their loss is profound and enduring. This podcast examines the evidence and the arguments with care, recognising the complexity and sensitivity of a case that continues to divide opinion across the UK. .................................... Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED  Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this two-part episode of True Criminals, we explore one of modern Britain’s most debated true crime cases: is Lucy Letby innocent? This Lucy Letby podcast looks at the case of the neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven others, with an additional attempted murder conviction added after a 2024 retrial. She is serving 15 whole life orders following the Cheshire Police investigation, Operation Hummingbird, which alleged deliberate harm including air embolism, insulin poisoning, and physical assault. We are joined in the studio by Dr. Svilena Dimitrova, consultant neonatologist and patient safety expert advising the defence. Dr. Dimitrova reviews the medical evidence in the case, including insulin poisoning claims and the death of Baby O, and considers how clinical errors, system pressures, and data interpretation may have influenced the investigation and trial. Part One revisits the Countess of Chester neonatal unit in 2015–16, a high-pressure environment facing staff shortages and rising infant deaths. We explore how the police investigation unfolded, the expert testimony presented in court, and the questions that continue to be raised by legal analysts, medical experts, and the public. At the centre of the story are the babies and their families, whose loss is profound. This episode examines the Lucy Letby case with care, presenting the events, the evidence, and the ongoing debate over the convictions. ....................................... Support the Show Ad-free and bonus content here: Patreon at ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠⁠. As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠ Follow True Criminals Instagram: ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ TikTok: @truecriminalspodcast Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit ⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠ for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann. Producer: Russell Barnes. Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED Artwork: BLEACHED. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, and Peter Mandelson are at the centre of major breaking news in the United Kingdom, following their arrests in connection with ongoing misconduct in public office investigations. Both men have been arrested and questioned by police. Both have since been released. No charges have been brought. Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has consistently denied wrongdoing in relation to his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. Peter Mandelson has not publicly addressed the allegations in detail, but it has been reported that he denies acting unlawfully or using public office for personal financial gain. This is True Criminals. In this True Criminals Briefing, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero analyse the latest developments in one of the biggest UK political and royal stories in recent years. From the dramatic arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor at his home on the Sandringham estate, to Peter Mandelson being taken in for hours of police questioning before being released on bail, this episode breaks down exactly what happened, why police acted, and what comes next. The investigations centre on suspected misconduct in public office, a serious criminal offence involving the alleged misuse of official roles and the handling of confidential or market sensitive information. Detectives are reviewing key evidence, including documents originating from the United States, to determine whether the threshold for criminal charges has been met. We examine how newly released material linked to Jeffrey Epstein may be influencing UK investigations, the role of multiple police forces including Thames Valley Police and the Metropolitan Police, and why this case could take months or even years to resolve. The episode also explores the wider implications for the Royal Family, including the response from King Charles III, and what this could mean for public trust, political accountability, and the future of those involved. This is a fast-moving and developing story. Both men deny wrongdoing. Both remain under investigation. And at this stage, no charges have been brought. For the latest on the Andrew Mountbatten Windsor arrest, Peter Mandelson investigation, and all major UK crime and political news, follow True Criminals now. Support the ShowListen ad-free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at www.patreon.com/truecriminals. As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True CriminalsInstagram: @true.criminalsTikTok: @truecriminalspodcast Connect with Martin BruntFollow Martin on Twitter at @skymartinbrunt. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY Connect with Helen FosperoFollow Helen on Instagram at @helenfospero and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575 CreditsTrue Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee MannProducer: Russell BarnesAudio Production: BLEACHEDMusic Composition: BLEACHEDArtwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In part two of this True Criminals double episode, Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero are joined by retired DCI Colin Sutton to reveal how the hunt for Delroy Grant finally turned after years of failure. Known as the Night Stalker, Grant terrorised vulnerable elderly victims across South London for nearly two decades, committing burglary, rape and sexual assault while evading capture despite leaving DNA at multiple scenes. The investigation, Operation Minstead, became a test of modern policing, with mass screenings, huge suspect lists and mounting public fear. When Sutton took over in 2009, he rejected the DNA led focus and reframed the case as a pattern of burglary, using geographical profiling, behavioural insight and covert surveillance to predict where the offender would strike next. What followed was a high stakes operation placing officers in hidden observation posts across South East London, leading to the moment Grant was finally caught and identified through DNA. The episode explores his chilling double life as a seemingly kind neighbour and carer hiding a predatory reality, as well as the devastating impact on victims, many of whom lived in lasting fear. Sutton also reflects on a critical missed opportunity in 1999 that allowed hundreds more offences to happen, exposing the consequences of human error in policing. Convicted in 2011 of 29 offences and sentenced to 27 years, Grant’s case remains one of the most disturbing in UK criminal history and a powerful example of how persistence, strategy and leadership can finally bring a serial offender to justice. .................................... Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal ⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠ Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHED  Artwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of True Criminals, Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero examine the shocking case of Delroy Grant, known as the Night Stalker. For nearly two decades, Grant terrorised elderly victims across South East London, breaking into their homes in the dead of night and committing a series of burglaries and sexual assaults that left communities living in fear. Part one explores the timeline of the case, from the first reported attack in 1992 through the launch of Operation Minstead and the mounting police investigation. Martin Brunt shares his firsthand memories of covering the case, revealing how DNA evidence, missed opportunities and investigative blunders allowed one of the UK’s most prolific serial sex offenders to evade capture for 17 years. The episode examines how Grant targeted vulnerable elderly victims, how forensic breakthroughs shaped the manhunt and why the case exposed critical lessons about policing, persistence and the limits of early DNA databases. This is the inside story of the Night Stalker before the arrest, the trial and the life sentences that followed. Listen to part one now and join us for part two, featuring retired Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton on how Operation Minstead finally closed the net. .................................... Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: BLEACHED Music Composition: BLEACHEDArtwork: BLEACHED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you catch a killer who leaves no trace? In this episode of True Criminals, legendary Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and veteran journalist Helen Fospero dive deep into one of the most chilling cases in British history: the hunt for serial killer Levi Bellfield. Joining them in the studio is the man who finally brought him to justice, Retired DCI Colin Sutton. Known for his "old-fashioned" detective work, Sutton reveals the inside story of the investigation that spanned years and multiple murders, eventually linking the deaths of Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell, and Amélie Delagrange. The Breakthrough: Discover how DCI Colin Sutton connected the dots between seemingly unrelated attacks when others couldn't see the pattern. The Investigation: A behind-the-scenes look at the "Manhunt"—the relentless surveillance and the crucial CCTV footage of a white Vauxhall Belmont that became the catalyst for Bellfield's arrest. Catching a Monster: How Sutton’s team built a case with zero DNA evidence, relying instead on meticulous forensic link-building and "boots-on-the-ground" policing. The Conviction: The moment Levi Bellfield was finally identified as the "Bus Stop Killer" and the subsequent confession that brought closure to the family of Milly Dowler. …………………………. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin. Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Charles Bronson is often cited as Britain’s most notorious prisoner, having spent nearly 50 years behind bars. In this episode of True Criminals, Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero take a deep dive into the life and legacy of Michael Peterson—the man who became an underworld icon and later transformed into the artist known as Charles Salvador. Martin shares a unique perspective on the man behind the headlines, detailing a personal relationship built over years of correspondence. For the first time in the studio, Martin showcases original artwork sent to him by Bronson, offering a rare glimpse into the "cartoonish" yet often nightmarish creative world that has become the prisoner's primary outlet while in high-security isolation. The discussion traces Bronson's long history within the UK penal system, from his initial seven-year sentence for armed robbery in 1974 to the repeated violent outbursts and hostage situations that kept him inside. Martin explains the complexities of the 2000 discretionary life sentence—triggered by the 44-hour hostage-taking of an art teacher at HMP Hull—which has seen Bronson remain in custody long past his original minimum term. With the Parole Board having denied his 2023 public bid for freedom, the team examines what the future holds for his upcoming hearings. Martin reveals Charles’s own unwavering conviction that he will one day walk free, sharing a recent invitation from the prisoner to join him for a celebratory Guinness at a "freedom party" upon his release. The Origins: How a petty criminal became the "most violent prisoner in Britain." The Art: A look at the vivid, award-winning artwork Martin has brought into the studio. The Letters: Insights into the personal letters and postcards Martin receives from HMP Woodhill. The Legal Battle: An analysis of the parole process and why the board remains hesitant despite Bronson’s claims of being a "reformed character." The Future: Martin’s expert prediction on whether Bronson will ever experience life outside a prison cell again. Listen ad-free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at: ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠. As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Instagram: ⁠@true.criminals⁠ YouTube: Subscribe here⁠ Martin Brunt: Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career in his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here. Helen Fospero: Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann | Producer: Russell Barnes | Audio Production: Andrew Chappell | Music: Chap Mannequin | Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a True Criminals exclusive first, the podcast interviews John J. Lennon, a writer and journalist currently serving a prison sentence at Sing Sing Correctional Facility following a conviction for murder. The interview, recorded inside the prison, examines Lennon’s account of his case, his life in custody, and his work as an author. Lennon is the writer of The Tragedy of True Crime, a book that explores how murder cases — including his own — are constructed, reported and consumed, and the consequences those narratives have for victims, offenders and the justice system. The conversation is conducted by Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero, who question Lennon on the circumstances surrounding his conviction, the challenges of writing from prison, and the broader issues raised by the true crime genre. The episode focuses on established facts, Lennon’s published work, and the realities of producing journalism while incarcerated. …………………………. Artwork photography credit: Luke Piotrowski Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He stabbed her 24 times and nearly killed her and her unborn baby now the system is preparing to let him walk free. In the final part of this harrowing series, Natalie Queiroz reveals the devastating twist she never expected. Nearly a decade after surviving a brutal attempted murder, Natalie discovers that quiet policy changes could allow her attacker to move to an open prison years early, giving him day release and freedom of movement without her knowledge. Natalie speaks with raw honesty about the fear and trauma this decision reignites for her and her children, and why she believes the criminal justice system continues to fail victims of domestic abuse and stalking. She explains how learning of his Cat D eligibility shattered her sense of safety and forced her back into survival mode. But this is also a story of extraordinary resilience. Natalie shares how she transformed her pain into purpose, working inside prisons with violent offenders, campaigning against knife crime, supporting young people at risk, and becoming a victims advocate holding police and government to account. Her work earned her an MBE, but the fight is far from over. Presented by journalists Helen Fospero and Martin Brunt, this episode explores the uncomfortable reality of offender rehabilitation, early release, prison overcrowding and the lifelong sentence carried by victims. It asks urgent questions about public safety, victims rights, and whether the balance has tipped too far away from those who survive extreme violence. This episode contains distressing discussions of violence, trauma and ongoing fear. Listener discretion is advised. .................................. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After surviving a frenzied knife attack that nearly killed her and her unborn child, Natalie Queiroz is forced to confront an even more devastating reality: the man who tried to murder her was her fiancé, a partner she had trusted for decades, and the father of her baby. In this second episode, Natalie takes listeners inside the aftermath of the attack, the physical pain, the psychological trauma, and the slow unravelling of the truth about the man she thought she knew. As she pieces her life back together with a newborn baby and catastrophic injuries, Natalie reveals the hidden coercive control, lies and manipulation that only became clear once his carefully constructed façade collapsed. Natalie also recounts the criminal justice process in harrowing detail: the court hearings, the defence arguments, the judge’s damning assessment of a cold, premeditated plot, and the shock of what she believes was a lenient sentence. For the first time, she describes coming face to face with her attacker in prison, confronting him eye-to-eye in a tense restorative justice meeting that leaves her with few answers, but a renewed sense of power. Presented by journalists Helen Fospero and Martin Brunt, True Criminals continues its forensic examination of a case that raises urgent questions about coercive control, honour-based abuse, sentencing, and how victims survive — and live — after unimaginable violence. This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence, trauma and psychological distress. Listener discretion is advised. …………………………… Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In March 2016, Natalie Queiroz was eight months pregnant, walking through a busy town centre in broad daylight, when a hooded man jumped onto her back and stabbed her 24 times with a 12-inch kitchen knife. Her lung collapsed. Her uterus was slashed. The blade missed her unborn baby by just two millimetres. Against all odds, both Natalie and her daughter survived. In this first episode, Natalie recounts — in her own words — the nine-minute frenzied attack, the strangers who risked their lives to save her, and the fight to stay conscious as she bled out on the pavement. As the full horror unfolds, listeners learn the devastating truth: the attacker was not a stranger, but her partner and the father of her unborn child. Presented by journalists Helen Fospero and Martin Brunt, True Criminals examines the story behind the headlines — with compassion, clarity and forensic insight. This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and is deeply distressing. Listener discretion is advised. …………………………… Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special True Criminals Briefings episode, Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero reflect on a remarkable year in crime reporting — and a defining moment in Martin’s four-decade career. From the early days of Sky News in 1989 to some of the most notorious criminal cases of recent times, Martin looks back on the stories that shaped him: covering wars before choosing “a life of crime,” confronting fugitives in courtrooms, receiving letters and postcards from Charles Bronson, and reporting on cases that continue to haunt Britain. The episode dives into major crime stories that dominated 2025, including: The release of Christian Brückner, the prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case Fresh hopes for a new search in the Muriel McKay murder investigation The Manchester synagogue attack A shocking train stabbing in Huntingdon Inside accounts of high-security prisons, parole hearings, and life in solitary confinement Alongside the hard-hitting journalism, there are lighter — and surprising — moments, including Martin’s unforgettable confession to once taking a goldfish for a walk in the early days of 24-hour news. As Martin steps back into semi-retirement from Sky News, this candid conversation explores the personal cost of crime reporting, the evolution of true crime journalism, and what lies ahead for True Criminals in 2026. Insightful, reflective, and deeply human — this is essential listening for anyone fascinated by true crime, criminal investigations, and the people who dedicate their lives to reporting them. …………………………… Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up!  Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at airup.link/truecriminals. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You won’t believe the questions we got this Christmas! In this special festive Q&A episode of True Criminals, hosts Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero dive into the fascinating, chilling, and sometimes puzzling queries from our amazing listeners. We want to start by thanking everyone who wrote in and shared their thoughts, theories, and questions with us. Your curiosity and engagement make this show what it is, and we love hearing from you all. In this episode, we cover everything from the enduring mystery of Madeleine McCann and the investigation into Christian Bruckner, to historical cases like Muriel Mackay’s kidnapping, as well as discussions about terrorism in the UK and notorious criminals like John Warboys and O.J. Simpson. We reflect on investigative techniques, crime reporting, and the stories that continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Martin and Helen also take a moment to wish all our listeners a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and to stay safe during the festive season. Tune in for a thought-provoking, gripping, and thoroughly festive True Criminals experience. …………………………… Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up!  Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at airup.link/truecriminals. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin. Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At 10.31pm a pop concert turned into a war zone. Children were screaming, parents were searching in terror and Britain was once again under attack. In this powerful episode of True Criminals, Sky News crime reporter Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero revisit the deadliest terror attack in the UK since 7 7. They take listeners back to the night of 22 May 2017 when a suicide bomber detonated a homemade device at the Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 innocent people and injuring hundreds more. Drawing on Martin’s frontline reporting and exclusive material from the investigation, the episode explores how the attack unfolded, the chaos and failures in the emergency response and the devastating human cost for victims and families. Joining the hosts is Neil Basu, the former Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the UK’s senior national coordinator for counter terrorism policing at the time, who now co hosts the Crime Agents podcast. In a deeply personal interview, Neil gives rare insight into the first frantic hours after the bombing, the decision to declare a terror attack, the fear of further strikes and the immense pressure of leading the national response alongside MI5. He reflects on watching the CCTV of the blast, the hunt for accomplices and the long lasting impact the attack had on those tasked with preventing the next one. Eight years on, the Manchester Arena bombing still scars the city and the nation. This episode reflects on the resilience shown in the aftermath, the solidarity of ordinary people and why the lessons of that night continue to matter. …………………………… Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up!  Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at airup.link/truecriminals. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE For a copy of Neil book, Turmoil: 30 Years of Policing, Politics and Prejudice ⁠https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turmoil-Years-Policing-Politics-Prejudice/dp/0711294402 Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin. Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The terror that gripped California for over a decade finally came into focus in 2018. Joseph James D’Angelo, a former police officer and seemingly ordinary father, was unmasked as the Golden State Killer – a serial predator responsible for at least 13 murders, over 50 rapes, and countless home invasions from the mid-1970s to the 1980s. In this second part of our True Criminals special, Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero continue their conversation with retired FBI profiler Julia Cowley, who led the behavioural analysis of D’Angelo’s crimes. Julia reveals the full psychological profile of one of America’s most notorious offenders, providing a chilling window into the mind of a man whose need for control, feelings of inadequacy, and escalating violence allowed him to operate undetected for decades. We examine the investigation that finally brought D’Angelo to justice and explore his courtroom behaviour, revealing the stark contrast between the predator who terrorised families and the frail, confused man who faced the law. Julia also reflects on the key factors that shaped his deviant behaviour, the rare moments where his crimes escalated to deadly violence, and what his capture tells us about profiling, policing, and the evolution of forensic science. In Part Two, listeners will discover: How D’Angelo’s psychological profile explained his obsession with control, power, and sexual fantasy The breakthrough DNA techniques that cracked one of America’s most infamous cold cases Insights into his behaviour during arrest and court proceedings, exposing the true man behind the mask The challenges and debates within FBI profiling and the accuracy of Julia Cowley’s predictions Lessons for investigators and the public on identifying potential offenders before escalation This gripping episode offers an unparalleled insight into the criminal mind, the painstaking investigation that unmasked a decades-long predator, and the groundbreaking science that is transforming cold case investigations. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up!  Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at airup.link/truecriminals. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Senior Researcher: Rebecca Stinton Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For more than ten years, California was terrorised by a phantom. A man who slipped into bedrooms, blinded victims with a flashlight, tied them up, and vanished before police ever arrived. He was a serial burglar, rapist and murderer who operated under multiple names , the Visalia Ransacker, the East Area Rapist, the Original Night Stalker, before the world finally knew him as the Golden State Killer. In this exclusive two-part True Criminals special, Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero trace the evolution of one of the most prolific offenders in US criminal history. From more than 100 ransackings to over 50 rapes and at least 13 murders, Joseph James D’Angelo’s decade-long spree left 61 known victims and decades of unanswered questions. Joining us is retired FBI profiler Julia Cowley, lead behavioural analyst on the Golden State Killer investigation and host of The Consult: Real FBI Profilers. Julia breaks down the ritualistic MO, escalating violence, sexual compulsions, and the psychological signatures that set D’Angelo apart, and ultimately helped identify him through pioneering genetic genealogy. We revisit the crime scenes, the methods, the fear that paralysed entire neighbourhoods, and the breakthrough that finally unmasked a predator hiding behind a police badge. In Part One, we explore: The Visalia Ransacker burglaries and early signs of sexual motivation The escalation to the East Area Rapist attacks His obsessive rituals: binding, blindfolds, threats, ransacking and “control theatre” How he manipulated couples and used psychological torture Why the case remained unsolved for 40 years Julia Cowley’s firsthand insight into profiling one of America’s most sadistic offenders A gripping deep dive into the mind and methods of a killer whose crimes haunted California for decades — and the investigators who refused to give up. ................................................. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up!  Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at airup.link/truecriminals. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Senior Researcher: Rebecca Stinton Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He confessed to Shirley Banks. But what about Suzy Lamplugh? In this gripping second episode of our two-part series, True Criminals uncovers the terrifying link between two young women and one of Britain’s most dangerous predators. Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero trace how John Cannan, a convicted rapist and murderer, went from the shadows of Bristol to becoming the prime suspect in the disappearance of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh. Joined by former Detective Chief Inspector Michael Barley, who spent over a decade investigating Suzy’s case, we explore the chilling evidence, tense interviews, and investigative breakthroughs that connected Cannan to the mystery that has haunted the UK for decades. From a hidden car, altered number plates, and forensic clues, to his brazen confession to Shirley Banks’ murder, every detail exposes a predator’s twisted mind and the painstaking detective work that followed. This episode examines the heartbreaking consequences for Suzy’s family, the lessons learned for police and society, and why, nearly 40 years later, her fate remains a haunting unsolved puzzle. True Criminals reveals how one man’s crimes shaped national awareness of women’s safety and left an indelible mark on British criminal history. ................................................. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up!  Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at ⁠airup.link/truecriminals⁠. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A young estate agent leaves her office for a routine appointment and simply never returns. It is the kind of moment that stops ordinary life in its tracks and forces a country to look more closely at the shadows it usually ignores. In this first of two episodes, True Criminals follows the earliest steps of the investigation into Suzy Lamplugh’s disappearance and the man she was meant to meet, known only as Mr Kipper. Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero walk through Suzy’s final confirmed movements and the police actions taken in those first decisive hours. We are joined in the studio by retired Detective Chief Inspector Michael Barley whose experience brings a clear eyed understanding of how investigators approached a case that offered almost nothing and demanded everything. What followed shaped decades of inquiry, public speculation and police work. This episode sets the scene as Martin and Helen trace the small details and larger questions that defined the opening chapter of this enduring mystery. ................................................. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up!  Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at ⁠airup.link/truecriminals⁠. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special briefing of True Criminals, Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero break down the stabbing on the Doncaster to London Kings Cross train on 1 November 2025. Minutes after departing Peterborough, a lone passenger launched a knife attack, injuring several people. Martin details how the driver alerted control and made an emergency stop at Huntingdon, where armed officers boarded the train. A crew member was seriously injured while protecting passengers, a moment of extraordinary bravery highlighted in this episode. Martin and Helen explain how the suspect boarded at Peterborough, how the alarm was raised, and why Operation PLATO, Britain’s major-incident terrorism protocol, was briefly activated before police confirmed the attack was not terror-related. They examine the responses of passengers, staff, and emergency services as they dealt with a fast-moving incident on a moving train. The briefing also updates listeners on the investigation: a 32-year-old man from Peterborough has been charged with multiple counts of attempted murder and is being linked to earlier knife incidents in the area. ................................................. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up!  Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at ⁠airup.link/truecriminals⁠. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The woman who proclaimed, “I am Madeleine,” has finally heard her verdict. In this special episode of True Criminals Briefings, hosts Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero uncover the extraordinary and unsettling story of Julia Wandelt, the young Polish woman who shocked the world by claiming she was Madeleine McCann, the British child who vanished from a Portuguese resort in 2007. What began as an internet frenzy ended in a Leicester courtroom. After months of speculation and global attention, a jury found Julia Wandelt guilty of harassment against Kate and Gerry McCann, but not guilty of stalking. The court heard that her repeated visits, letters and online messages had caused serious distress to the McCann family. DNA testing provided conclusive evidence that she was not Madeleine McCann, closing one of the strangest chapters in the case’s long history. ................................................. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up!  Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at ⁠airup.link/truecriminals⁠. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was the trusted face of London’s black cab trade, charming and friendly, always ready to share a drink to celebrate a big win. But the champagne John Worboys offered his passengers was laced with sedatives. The women who believed they were safe on their way home would wake up hours later with no memory, their trust betrayed. In this gripping episode of True Criminals, Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero discuss the chilling story of John Worboys, the man now known as The Black Cab Rapist. Between 2000 and 2008, Worboys drugged and sexually assaulted dozens of women across London while evading police for years. Martin and Helen revisit how Worboys’ horrific crimes came to light, the shocking police failures that allowed him to keep attacking, and the extraordinary courage of the victims who fought to bring him to justice. From his arrest and trial to the public outcry over his possible release, this is one of Britain’s most disturbing true crime cases, and a story that changed the UK justice system forever. Featuring first-hand insight from Martin’s original Sky News reporting, this episode re-examines the case that shattered trust in London’s taxi trade and exposed deep failings within the Metropolitan Police and the parole system. Patreon Exclusive: In this episode’s Extra Chat, find out what connects Eric Cantona and Boris Johnson’s wife to the John Worboys case — only on Patreon - Link Below ................................................. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up!  Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at ⁠airup.link/truecriminals⁠. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠.  As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at ⁠@true.criminals⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at ⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at ⁠@helenfospero⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.  Visit ⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠ for more information.  Executive Producer: Lee Mann.  Producer: Russell Barnes.  Audio Production: Andrew Chappell.  Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.  Artwork: Bleached. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when the world’s most prolific serial killer finally loses control? In Part 2 of our two-part special on Dr. Harold Shipman, hosts Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero uncover what happened after Britain’s most infamous GP was found guilty of murdering his patients — and how his shocking suicide inside Wakefield Prison denied families the truth they so desperately sought. Returning to the studio is true crime journalist and author Jean Ritchie, co-writer of Prescription for Murder: The True Story of Harold Shipman. Together, they explore Shipman’s life behind bars, his chilling refusal to admit guilt, and the final calculated act that left his victims’ families without justice. From his manipulative relationships in prison to the cold reasoning behind his suicide, this episode examines how Shipman’s need for control endured until his last breath. Martin and Helen also discuss the Shipman Inquiry, led by Dame Janet Smith, which uncovered the full extent of his crimes — more than 250 confirmed murders, possibly over 300 — and how it reshaped the safeguards within British medicine. Finally, we hear how the community of Hyde began to heal, with the creation of the Garden of Tranquility memorial, and how Shipman’s legacy continues to influence every doctor-patient relationship today. True Criminals reveals how the case of Harold Shipman not only redefined evil but also transformed the systems meant to protect us — a story of betrayal, accountability, and the enduring pursuit of truth. Read Jean’s book: Harold Shipman – Prescription for Murderhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Prescription-Murder-Story-Harold-Shipman/dp/0751529982 ................................................. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up!  Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at ⁠airup.link/truecriminals⁠. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Support the ShowListen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/truecriminals⁠⁠.As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal⁠https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE⁠ Follow True CriminalsFollow us on Instagram at ⁠⁠@true.criminals⁠⁠ and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals⁠⁠. Connect with Martin BruntFollow Martin on Twitter at ⁠⁠@skymartinbrunt⁠⁠. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: ⁠⁠https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY⁠⁠. Connect with Helen FosperoFollow Helen on Instagram at ⁠⁠@helenfospero⁠⁠ and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575⁠⁠. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global.Visit ⁠⁠www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals⁠⁠ for more information. Executive Producer: Lee MannProducer: Russell BarnesAudio Production: Andrew ChappellMusic Composition: Chap MannequinArtwork: Bleached Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices