Avsnitt
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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.
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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.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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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 [email protected].uk.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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 - Visa fler
