This week’s episode focuses on the shocking case of Mark Acklom, a serial conman who manipulated Carolyn Woods into parting with her life savings of £850,000.

In this two-part series, we examine how Acklom used charm, deception, and extraordinary lies—including claiming he was an MI6 agent—to gain Carolyn’s trust and exploit her financially. Carolyn, who recounts her experiences in her book Sleeping with a Psychopath, joins us to share her firsthand account of how the relationship began and the devastating impact it had on her life.

In part one, we hear directly from Carolyn as she details how Acklom entered her life, presenting himself as a wealthy and successful businessman with connections to British intelligence. We explore the methods Acklom used to build his false persona and create a sense of urgency and dependency, ultimately leading to the financial and emotional manipulation that cost Carolyn everything.

This episode provides an in-depth look at the calculated strategies of a conman and the lasting consequences for his victims.

....................

To read Carolyn's extraordinary story, you can purchase her book and support her by clicking on this link:

Sleeping With a Psychopath

Share your thoughts and questions by emailing contact@audiobleachglobal.com.

Connect with us:

Instagram @true.criminals

Connect with Martin Brunt:

Twitter: @skymartinbrunt

Discover more about Martin’s 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

Connect with Helen Fospero:

Instagram: @helenfospero

Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation:

Listen 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

Composition: Chap Mannequin

Artwork: Bleached

In case you didn't know, Helen hosts her own podcast, The Convex Conversation, where she interviews some of the world's most inspiring figures—including record-breaking athletes, explorers, royalty, scientists, and inventors.

Before joining True Criminals, Helen had the opportunity to interview Martin about his remarkable career and his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter.

In their conversation, Martin shares gripping stories about his interactions with notorious figures like violent prisoner Charles Bronson, recounts an unexpected encounter with his music idol Sir Paul McCartney, and explores the nation’s unquenchable fascination with crime—both real and fictional.

He also reveals how his interest in Valerio Viccei, the charismatic Italian mastermind behind Britain’s largest jewelry heist, led to a chilling death threat.

……………………………………………………………………………….

Share your thoughts and questions by emailing contact@audiobleachglobal.com.

Connect with us:

Instagram @true.criminals

Connect with Martin Brunt:

Twitter: @skymartinbrunt

Discover more about Martin’s 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

Connect with Helen Fospero:

Instagram: @helenfospero

Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation:

Listen 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

Composition: Chap Mannequin

Artwork: Bleached

In the gripping conclusion to our two-part series on the infamous Knightsbridge Heist, we delve into Martin’s exclusive interview with Valerio Viccei—the mastermind behind the world’s largest robbery.

Martin reflects on the momentous trip to Italy, where he not only met the enigmatic Valerio but also crossed paths with Detective Dick Leach for the first time. Their shared experience would leave a lasting impression, shaping their perspectives on the audacious man at the center of it all.

This is a story of ambition, daring, and the high price of a life lived on the edge. Don’t miss True Criminals thrilling conclusion to the Knightsbridge Heist saga: The Interview.

……………………………………………………………………………….

Share your thoughts and questions by emailing contact@audiobleachglobal.com.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @true.criminals

Connect with Martin Brunt:

Twitter: @skymartinbrunt

Discover more about Martin’s 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

Connect with Helen Fospero:

Instagram: @helenfospero

Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation:

Listen Here

Hear Helen’s interview with Martin:

Listen 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

Composition: Chap Mannequin

Artwork: Bleached

On 12 July 1987, Valerio Viccei and his crew executed one of the world’s largest robberies at the Knightsbridge Safe Deposit Centre in London, stealing an estimated £60 million. A playboy criminal with a dangerous past, Viccei left behind a bloody fingerprint that ultimately led to his capture.

In the first part of our True Criminals double episode into the Knightsbridge Heist, hosts Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero are joined by special guest Dick Leach, the detective who led to the arrest of criminal mastermind Valerio Viccei.

Tune in as we uncover how this audacious heist unfolded and hear exclusive details from Dick Leach himself. Don’t miss it.

……………………………………………………………………………….

Share your thoughts and questions by emailing contact@audiobleachglobal.com.

Connect with us:

Instagram: @true.criminals

Connect with Martin Brunt:

Twitter: @skymartinbrunt

Discover more about Martin’s 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

Connect with Helen Fospero:

Instagram: @helenfospero

Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation:

Listen Here

Hear Helen’s interview with Martin:

Listen 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

Composition: Chap Mannequin

Artwork: Bleached

In the powerful conclusion of our three-part mini-series on Madeleine McCann, True Criminals shines a light on the darker side of the internet and its impact on one of the most infamous missing person cases in modern history. Part 3, Trolls, investigates the relentless online harassment faced by Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, and the devastating consequences of such cruelty.

A key focus of this episode is the tragic story of Brenda Leyland, a Twitter user who became the subject of public scrutiny after her trolling activities were exposed by Martin while reporting for Sky News. What began as a report on the impact of online abuse took an unexpected and heartbreaking turn when Brenda’s exposure led to her suicide, sparking a firestorm of debate about media ethics, mental health, and accountability in the digital age.

Martin shares his personal reflections on the tragedy and its lasting impact—not just on the McCanns, but on himself as a journalist and the broader public conversation surrounding online behavior.

Join us as we unravel the complexities of this case, exploring the intersections of crime, media, and the darker impulses of human behavior.

……………………………………………………………………………….

Share your thoughts and questions by emailing contact@audiobleachglobal.com.

Connect with us:

Instagram @true.criminals

Connect with Martin Brunt:

Twitter: @skymartinbrunt

Discover more about Martin’s 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

Connect with Helen Fospero:

Instagram: @helenfospero

Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation:

Listen Here

Hear Helen’s interview with Martin:

Listen 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

Composition: Chap Mannequin

Artwork: Bleached

Continuing with our three-part mini-series, this week Martin and Helen are joined by Jim Gamble, former head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP).

As the architect of the pivotal 2010 review that set the stage for Operation Grange—the UK-led investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance—Jim provides unique insights into the complexities of this enduring mystery. He sheds light on critical aspects of the case, including the harm caused by armchair detectives spreading unfounded theories, the emotional toll on the McCann family, and his steadfast belief in their innocence.

Gamble also examines the complexities of the investigation, discussing obstacles like misinformation and the latest developments surrounding the current suspect, Christian Brueckner.

Part 3: Trolls

The series concludes with an exploration of the darker side of the case’s legacy: the wave of online trolling, misinformation, and conspiracy theories that have targeted both the McCann family and investigators. Why does this toxic behavior persist, and what toll has it taken on those most affected by this tragedy?

........................

Share your thoughts and questions by emailing contact@audiobleachglobal.com.

Connect with us:

Instagram @true.criminals

Connect with Martin Brunt:

Twitter: @skymartinbrunt

Discover more about Martin’s 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

Connect with Helen Fospero:

Instagram: @helenfospero

Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation:

Listen Here

Hear Helen’s interview with Martin:

Listen 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 Composition: Chap Mannequin

Artwork: Bleached

On the night of May 3, 2007, three-year-old Madeleine McCann vanished from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, dined nearby with friends. Despite their routine checks on the children, Kate’s devastating discovery that Madeleine was missing ignited a global search and an investigation that would span continents and years.

Welcome to Madeleine McCann: Disappeared—a compelling three-part mini-series exploring one of the most notorious missing persons cases in modern history. Through this series, we’ll unpack the key events, the media frenzy, the investigative missteps, and the many unanswered questions surrounding Madeleine’s disappearance.

In this opening episode, Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero revisit the heart-wrenching night of Madeleine’s disappearance. Martin, who arrived in Praia da Luz just four days after the case broke, brings nearly 17 years of reporting experience on this story. His firsthand account provides a rare glimpse into the initial chaotic days of the investigation—detailing his interactions with Portuguese police, the evolving media landscape, and the pivotal moments that shaped the direction of the case.

Part 2: Insights with Jim Gamble

Exclusive commentary from Jim Gamble, the founding head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and a prominent voice in child protection. In 2010, Gamble conducted a detailed review of the Madeleine McCann case, laying crucial groundwork for Operation Grange. He’ll provide expert analysis and discuss the potential future of the case, including the developments surrounding Christian Brueckner, the current suspect.

Part 3: Trolls

In this concluding episode, we examine the darker legacy of the case: the wave of online trolling, misinformation, and conspiracy theories that have haunted both the McCann family and investigators. What drives this toxic behavior, and what impact has it had on those most closely connected to this tragedy?

……………………………………………………………………………….

Share your thoughts and questions by emailing contact@audiobleachglobal.com.

Connect with us:

Instagram @true.criminals

Connect with Martin Brunt:

Twitter: @skymartinbrunt

Discover more about Martin’s 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

Connect with Helen Fospero:

Instagram: @helenfospero

Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation:

Listen Here

Hear Helen’s interview with Martin:

Listen 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 Composition: Chap Mannequin

Artwork: Bleached

The Soham Murders

This week on True Criminals, join @SkyNews Crime Correspondent @Martin_Brunt and journalist @HelenFospero as they explore the harrowing case that gripped the nation and reshaped child protection measures in the UK.

In August 2002, the tranquil town of Soham, Cambridgeshire, was shattered when 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman disappeared after attending a family barbecue. The desperate search for the missing friends led to a devastating discovery, exposing the sinister truth about someone entrusted within their community.

Don’t miss this in-depth look at a case that left an indelible mark on Britain.

……………………………………………………………………………….

Share your thoughts and questions by emailing contact@audiobleachglobal.com.

Connect with us:

Instagram @true.criminals

Connect with Martin Brunt:

Twitter: @skymartinbrunt

Discover more about Martin’s 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

Connect with Helen Fospero:

Instagram: @helenfospero

Check out Helen’s podcast, The Convex Conversation:

Listen Here

Hear Helen’s interview with Martin:

Listen 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

Composition: Chap Mannequin

Artwork: Bleached