True Criminals

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