We conclude our two-part true crime mini-series, Sleeping with a Psychopath, as Journalist Helen Fospero and Sky News Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt delve into the chilling story of serial conman Mark Acklom, one of the UK’s most notorious fraudsters.

This episode explores how Acklom’s career of deceit began in his teens and evolved into a sophisticated web of international fraud, leaving victims across Europe and beyond in financial and emotional ruin.

With exclusive insights, Brunt and an internet sleuth known as "Charlie's Angel" follow Acklom’s trail of deception, spanning Spain, Italy, and Switzerland. The episode uncovers shocking scams, including how Acklom defrauded Carolyn Woods, stealing her life savings, and conned investors with fake business ventures promising huge returns.

Brunt reveals gripping details from his investigation, including:

• A dramatic prison meeting with Mark Acklom
• The discovery of his many aliases
• How international collaboration led to Acklom’s extradition to the UK to face justice

We are joined again by Carolyn Woods, author of Sleeping with a Psychopath, who shares her harrowing firsthand accountof being conned by Acklom and explains how her partnership with Martin helped to bring this serial fraudster to justice.

This must-listen episode is packed with tales of betrayal, resilience, and international intrigue—a story that will captivate true crime enthusiasts around the globe.

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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

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.

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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.

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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