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True Criminals: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Audio Bleach Global
Winner of Outstanding Independent Podcast at this year’s True Crime Awards in London, True Criminals is your weekly deep dive into both historic and contemporary crime stories, hosted by Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero. With decades of frontline reporting experience, Martin and Helen go beyond the headlines to uncover exclusive insights and untold details from some of the most gripping criminal investigations. Each episode delivers powerful storytelling and rare access, featuring guests such as senior detectives, investigative journalists, bestselling authors, and individuals directly connected to the crimes. Whether it’s a high-profile case or one that’s never made the news, True Criminals offers a unique, behind-the-scenes view of the criminal justice system. Produced by Audio Bleach Global, the series is helmed by BAFTA-winning producer Russell Barnes.
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- 6 days ago56 min
Kerry Daynes on Dennis Nilsen | Inside the Mind of Britain's Notorious Serial Killer
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
- 2 weeks ago42 min
Suzy Lamplugh: 40 Years On with Former DCI Michael Barley
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
- 2 weeks ago55 min
Jimmy Savile: The Legacy of Abuse – Exposing Institutional Failures and Protecting Children with Simon Bailey
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
- 3 weeks ago5 min
Most Captivating Hosts – Thank You!
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
- 4 weeks ago52 min
Story of a Murder: Hallie Rubenhold on the Dr Crippen Case
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
- Jun 16, 202616 min
ITV’s Believe Me Review: The John Worboys Story Told Through the Victims | True Criminals
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
- Jun 9, 202651 min
A Conversation with Jo Procter, CEO of Embrace Child Survivors of Crime
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
- Jun 2, 20261h 3m
John Worboys: The Black Cab Rapist — with Special Guest Carrie Johnson
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
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About True Criminals
Winner of Outstanding Independent Podcast at this year’s True Crime Awards in London, True Criminals is your weekly deep dive into both historic and contemporary crime stories, hosted by Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero. With decades of frontline reporting experience, Martin and Helen go beyond the headlines to uncover exclusive insights and untold details from some of the most gripping criminal investigations. Each episode delivers powerful storytelling and rare access, featuring guests such as senior detectives, investigative journalists, bestselling authors, and individuals directly connected to the crimes. Whether it’s a high-profile case or one that’s never made the news, True Criminals offers a unique, behind-the-scenes view of the criminal justice system. Produced by Audio Bleach Global, the series is helmed by BAFTA-winning producer Russell Barnes.
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