A Life of Crime: Martin Brunt | True Criminals Briefing
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Show notes
In this special True Criminals Briefings episode, Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt and journalist Helen Fospero reflect on a remarkable year in crime reporting — and a defining moment in Martin’s four-decade career.
From the early days of Sky News in 1989 to some of the most notorious criminal cases of recent times, Martin looks back on the stories that shaped him: covering wars before choosing “a life of crime,” confronting fugitives in courtrooms, receiving letters and postcards from Charles Bronson, and reporting on cases that continue to haunt Britain.
The episode dives into major crime stories that dominated 2025, including:
The release of Christian Brückner, the prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case
Fresh hopes for a new search in the Muriel McKay murder investigation
The Manchester synagogue attack
A shocking train stabbing in Huntingdon
Inside accounts of high-security prisons, parole hearings, and life in solitary confinement
Alongside the hard-hitting journalism, there are lighter — and surprising — moments, including Martin’s unforgettable confession to once taking a goldfish for a walk in the early days of 24-hour news.
As Martin steps back into semi-retirement from Sky News, this candid conversation explores the personal cost of crime reporting, the evolution of true crime journalism, and what lies ahead for True Criminals in 2026.
Insightful, reflective, and deeply human — this is essential listening for anyone fascinated by true crime, criminal investigations, and the people who dedicate their lives to reporting them.
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Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at www.patreon.com/truecriminals.
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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: Andrew Chappell.
Music Composition: Chap Mannequin.
Artwork: Bleached
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