Life and Crimes with Andrew Rule

A first for evil

19 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What should have been a stroke of luck for a Sydney family turned into a heartbreaking ordeal when a callous crook took a novel approach to extortion...

Return to Wonnangatta

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A year after two campers went missing in Victoria's high country, Andrew Rule examines the latest clues to their disappearance.  Read Andrew Rule's f...

BONUS EPISODE: How the Schoolgirl Strangler terrorised Melbourne

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. When a wave of young girls were abducted and murdered in broad daylight in the 1930s, no-one suspected doting family man ...

The sad secrets of Tynong North

05 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Before Melbourne encroached upon it, Tynong North was a nondescript bit of bush where some very bad things happened. Andrew Rule explains.  Like the ...

A cop on the line

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. Joe Noonan has been where no police officer wants to: comforting a colleague who is dying in the line of duty. He talks ...

A tune from the stable

20 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Allegations surround the breeding program at an elite horse racing stud owned by one of the  most interesting characters in Australian business. Andr...

Cuckoo abridged: Part 9

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the last of our Cuckoo series, Andrew Rule tells the story of the police dragnet that started to close in on Mr Stinky, and the mistake that would ...

Faith under the knife

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some call them a cult, many more call them controversial. Andrew Rule explores the intriguing  history of the Jesus Christians. Read Andrew Rule's la...

The Claremont case

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Journalist Steve Pennells joins the show to discuss his upcoming documentary on one of Australia's most compelling murder cases, the Claremont killing...

Kings of the ring

22 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The world of martial arts in Melbourne is a fascinating place filled with cleanskins, crooks and colourful characters. Andrew Rule outlines some of th...

Of silks and snipers

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The recent bloody shooting of a Perth man resonates with another famous case involving guns, bikies, bombs and barristers. Read more from Andrew Rule ...

Cuckoo abridged: Part 8

08 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After a series of horrifying rapes, the police, media and public all focus in on finding the man responsible. But it would take a brilliant forensic e...

Cuckoo abridged: Part 7

01 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew continues reading and giving backgrounds to his first book on the infamous Mr Stinky murders. Subscribe to the Herald Sun. Go to heraldsun.co...

Cuckoo abridged: Part 6

25 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this short holiday podcast, Andrew continues reading and giving background to his first book: Cuckoo. Subscribe to the Herald Sun. Go to heraldsu...

Cuckoo abridged: Part 5

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Rule continues the intermittent series of reading from, and annotating, his first book, Cuckoo: the story of the Mr Stinky murders. Look for th...

BONUS EPISODE: Cuckoo, the story so far

17 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Over the holiday period, Andrew will be revisiting his first book, Cuckoo, which we last talked about earlier this year. Get caught up with this compi...

Lock, stock and two stolen barrels

11 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Is there someone in authority feeding the bad guys the good oil on where to steal firearms?  Andrew Rule investigates. Like the podcast? Subscribe to...

Introducing - I Swear I Never

08 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever found yourself in a situation, you swear you never could have predicted? A situation so far from the ordinary that even remembering it f...

Mister Munster, the very good crook

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Graham Kinniburgh is perhaps best known as one of the victims of Melbourne's gangland war. But before he met his end, he earned his stripes as one of ...

Introducing - On Guard: Stories From Inside Australia's Toughest Prisons

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On Guard is a new podcast series that takes you behind behind the scenes to uncover what really goes on behind bars, as former correctional officers s...

Fighting the ultimate crime. Part 2

27 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: Disturbing content. Ex homicide detective Rowland Legg joins the show again to talk more about the murders he's solved and the evil men he's ...

Fighting the ultimate crime. Part 1

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: Disturbing content. Former homicide detective Rowland Legg has investigated some of the most harrowing murder cases in Australia. He joins A...

Two sides of the scales

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Kuzilny went from the beat to the boardroom when he traded in a life as a policeman to practice law. He sits down to talk with Andrew about cr...

The first shot of the war

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

An argument at a party left a small-time crook dead and a big-time crook in the spotlight. Andrew Rule recounts the night  Alphonse Gangitano shot Gr...

Blood on the vines

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As the old mafia dons of country Australia start to die off, Andrew Rule can open more of the file on the Calabrian crew and their many misdeeds. Read...

A man, a plan, a van and a heist

24 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The daylight robbery of an Armaguard van in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond was a most brazen crime. And the story of the man behind the wheel of the...

Jock in the underworld

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From an early age, series regular Jock the Jockey was exposed to the seamy side of life. In this episode he takes Andrew on a whistle stop tour of som...

BONUS EPISODE: Disaster over the river

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On the 50th anniversary of the biggest industrial accident in Melbourne's history, Andrew Rule is joined by reporter Alex White to remember the colla...

More of Jock's tales from the track

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Life and Crime's resident 'rider on the storm' Jock the jockey returns with more run-ins with triads, gangsters, a jetski and a picnic blanket. Get m...

The cook, the doc, the wife and her lover

03 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Willi Koeppen was Australia's first celebrity chef and his disappearance over 40 years ago involves a fractured marriage, illicit affairs, and some s...

Return of the Undercover Kid

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Former detective Damian Marrett has played a lot of characters in pursuit of the bad guys. But pretending to be a hitman proved to be one of his mor...

The death of a 'vampire'

19 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Shane Chatres-Abbott lived a tangled life of sex, drugs and violence. His murder was no less complicated. Like Life & Crimes? Consider subscribing to ...

The last word on Lawyer X (for now)

12 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Anthony Dowsley and Patrick Carlyon, the two Herald Sun journalists who first broke the story of Nicola Gobbo and her place in Australia's bloody gan...

BONUS EPISODE: Catching killers. Part 2

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Former detective, podcaster and author Gary Jubelin joins the show again to tell more tales of his life carrying a badge. Read more Andrew Rule at:her...

The untamed truth

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. From bikies to very bad men, journalist Adrian Tame met some very colourful characters while working for the notorious ne...

The devils in the detail

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. The first few hours of a murder probe are crucial, and sometimes errors early on can derail an investigation for decades....

The society murderer

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When Matthew Wales-King bludgeoned his mother and step father to death, it led to a bumbling cover-up and a family in tatters. Andrew Rule unwinds the...

Memories of public enemies

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Author Mark Dapin joins the show to talk about two of Australia's most feared men: Russell Cox and Ray Denning, the subjects of his new book, Public E...

BONUS EPISODE: The blue magic blues

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rod Weightman went from celebrated harness racing trainer to prison inmate with bikie connections. Now he's out and looking to make amends both on an...

Evil found little Eloise

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When an eight-year-old girl went missing from a middle class suburb, the at first bumbling police investigation soon sharpened their focus very close ...

Tales from the Robbers: Part 3

01 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. Former detective Ray Watson joins us for a final time to describe some of the most harrowing moments he's had in the forc...

Tales from the Robbers: Part 2

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. Former cop Ray Watson is back in the studio for more stories from his time dealing with some of the nation's worst crook...

Tales from the Robbers: Part 1

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Former detective Ray Watson and his colleagues from the Armed Robbery Squad have come across some mad, bad and colourful characters while in the line ...

The Falconio files

11 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As a new documentary aims to shine light on one of Australia's most chilling murder mysteries, Andrew Rule outlines the facts and theories surrounding...

Missing mothers, evil husbands and shattered families

04 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When women go missing, often the answer to their disappearance is tragically close to home. And families can be ripped apart when children choose to b...

The grief of the Hodsons. Part 4

27 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the final part of our series on the gangland murder of Terrence and Christine Hodson, their children Andrew and Mandy talk about the winding road s...

BONUS EPISODE: Mad Dog and Me. Part 2

23 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Former undercover cop Robbie Robertson sits down again with Andrew Rule to tell about the time he found himself standing between three unsuspecting p...

The grief of the Hodsons. Part 3

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mandy and Andrew Hodson were the first to find their murdered parents after they were brutally killed during the heights of Melbourne's gangland war. ...

BONUS EPISODE: Mad Dog and me. Part 1

13 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As a former undercover and surveillance cop, Robbie Robertson has shadowed some of Australia's worst criminals. He sits down with Andrew Rule to tell ...

The grief of the Hodsons. Part 2

13 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Before  Terence and Christine Hodson were gunned down, a burglary on an Oakleigh drug house and a series of revelations about Terence would escalat...

The grief of the Hodsons. Part 1

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The murders of Terence and Christine Hodson would be a major event in Melbourne's gangland war. Now for the first time, two of their children Mandy an...

The women who love bad men

30 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Many crooks can charm, and that charm can be hazardous to the women around them. Andrew Rule explains. Subscribe to the Herald Sun. Go to: heraldsun...

The lady and the the swamp

23 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The sad tale of Margaret Clement is a melodrama that starts in the gold rush, and stretches up to modern times. Andrew Rule outlines a sorry tale of e...

An inside man in blue?

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The story of the Great Bookie Robbery is a well-told tale - including by this podcast. What's less talked about is the very real possibility that a po...

Bonus episode: Vale to a natural horseman

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Rule and sports journalist Jon Anderson come together to remember Darby McCarthy, a champion jockey who was the victim of a historical injustic...

Catching killers

09 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Former homicide detective Gary Jubelin ran the investigation into the disappearance of young William Tyrell. Now he sits down with Andrew to talk ab...

The last temptations of Carl

02 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's ten years since Carl Williams was killed in prison. Andrew is joined by crime writer and former journalist Liam Houlihan to talk about the windin...

The Wonnangatta mystery

25 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's over a month since two campers went missing in Victoria's high country. Andrew Rule goes through the theories surrounding the disappearance. Sub...

Swept from the Sand: Part 2

18 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The suspect list for the Beaumont children is long and winding. Andrew Rule breaks down the likely contenders. Become a Herald Sun subscriber: Go to h...

BONUS EPISODE: The Pell acquittal

14 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Shannon Deery has followed the trials of George Pell from the beginning. Now that the cardinal has been acquitted by the High Court, he speaks with A...

Swept from the sand. Part 1

11 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's one of the nation's most enduring and heartbreaking mysteries: the abduction of three children from an Adelaide beach over 50 years ago. Andrew R...

Sex, lies and COVID-19

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the shady world of pop-up brothels, its business as usual. But in a time of global pandemic, casual sex with strangers and social distancing rules ...

Beyond the wire: Part 2

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT: From country Victoria to East Timor and Iraq, Andrew Atkinson has seen his fair share of action. He joins Andrew Rule aga...

Beyond the wire: Part 1

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Atkinson has been a peacekeeper in East Timor, a counterterrorism expert and a master in the arts of police surveillance. This week, he talks t...

A Big Life

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: DISURBING CONTENT After a harrowing and abusive childhood, Barbara Biggs became a sex worker in Japan before turning her hand to journalism, ...

The Entertainer: Part 3

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In his final visit to the studio (for now), comedian Marty Fields tells more tales from his colourful career - including the time he MCed an event for...

The Entertainer: Part 2

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You know you have a life less ordinary when there are bullets in your curtains and guns in your dad's car. Comedian Marty Fields is back and reminisci...

The Entertainer: Part 1

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Marty Fields was born into a showbiz family and grew up surrounded by some of Australia's more colourful characters. Now the funnyman sits down with A...

BONUS EPISODE: Cuckoo abridged: Part 4

11 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A grim find confirms the worst for the people of Shepparton, while police start putting together a forensics picture of the scene. Andrew reads more f...

Kath and kin

08 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. She was known as Granny Evil, and her sons terrorised the Melbourne underworld. But, as Andrew explains,  Kath Pettingi...

The Undercover Kid: Part 4

31 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Former undercover detective Damian Marrett is back talking with Andrew one last time (for now) about crooks' confessions, his recovery and the myster...

The Undercover Kid: Part 3

24 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Warning: Disturbing content. Andrew sits down again with former undercover detective Damian Marrett to talk about some shady characters on both sides ...

BONUS EPISODE: Cuckoo abridged: Part3

21 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, Andrew reads more of his first book, Cuckoo, the story of rapist and murderer Mr Stinky. Tune in to our regular Saturday show w...

The Undercover Kid: Part 2

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew resumes his conversation with former undercover detective Damian Marrett to talk about the craft of convincing crooks and what a close call on ...

The undercover Kid: Part 1

11 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From infiltrating the mafia to drug raids with the SOG, the cop they call the Kid has seen the lot. Now, in the first of a multi-part series, Damian M...

Cuckoo abridged: Part 2

03 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew continues reading and commenting on sections of his first book, Cuckoo, the story of rapist and murderer Mr Stinky. Subscribe to the Herald Sun...

Cuckoo abridged: Part 1

27 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: Disturbing content. In the first part of a summer series, Andrew reads sections of his first book, Cuckoo, the story of the Mr Stinky murders...

BONUS EPISODE: The gangsters of old Melbourne

22 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

William Buck was perhaps the most violent criminal to ever roam the streets of Melbourne. In this special episode, Jen Kelly talks with historian Mic...

Unsolved Part 2: The murders of Middle Park

20 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It may be one of Australia's most exclusive suburbs, but a postcode can't protect you. In the second installment of Andrew Rule's crime mysteries of t...

Unsolved Part 1: Why kill Carl?

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In the first of a multi-part series, Andrew looks at some of the decade's biggest underworld mysteries. Become a Herald Sun subscriber. Go to heraldsu...

Q&A special

07 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's our 100th show (despite what some podcast software may say). And to celebrate, Andrew sat down with producer Jonty Burton to answer some listener...

Return of the rider on the storm

30 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

From tales of the turf to Tony and Carl, 'Jock' the jockey has seen a lot. He returns to the podcast to talk more about his time in the saddle. Leave ...

The monsters inside

23 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. They're the worst of the worst. Andrew examines the stories of some of Australia's most evil incarcerated killers - and t...

Tall tales and true detective. Part 2

16 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Detective xOS is back in the studio to talk with Andrew about rabid dogs, inter-departmental cricket, and the legend of the Little Sargent. We have a ...

Tall tales and true detective. Part 1

09 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Rule sits down with Detective xOS (not his real name) to talk about some of the more colourful stories the policeman has come across over his y...

The downfall of a racing fraudster

02 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Vlahos was a charming man, raised in the commission flats of Prahran. But he conned millions out of top businessmen and regular punters alike, un...

Victoria's predator teachers

26 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Schools across the state have paid out thousands - in some cases, even a million dollars - as more victims of child sex abuse come forward. And it was...

How Neddy Smith had the run of the underworld

19 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Notorious hitman Arthur “Neddy” Smith is now clinging to life after decades in jail - but his death, whenever it comes, won't disappoint the many ...

How he became the Granny Killer

12 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Well before John Wayne Glover started his murder spree in Sydney, he showed disturbing signs closer to home. Andrew talks with someone who knew him as...

The skull in the chimney

05 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

South Australia's mid north is a land of desolate towns and dark secrets. It was here that police investigating the disappearance of Martin Meffert ma...

Tragedy in Moe. Part 2

28 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Every story has a beginning. The death of Jaidyn Leskie had its roots in a family melodrama that spanned generations.  See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Tragedy in Moe. Part 1

21 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It was 22 years ago that the death of Jaidyn Leskie captivated the nation. Andrew Rule outlines the crime and investigation into his disappearance. Su...

Diving for the cocaine of cuisine

14 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

They're the modern day pirates picking cold gold from the seabed. But the abalone poachers of southern Australia are only ever a step or two in front ...

BONUS EPISODE: Swipe right for swindle. Part 2

08 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's not only heartbreak that Paul Carter has allegedly left behind in his wake. A number of investors and companies say they are counting the cost of...

BONUS EPISODE: Swipe right for swindle. Part 1

07 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Carter is a charming man who, if his ex wives are to be believed, has left a trail of heartbreak and financial ruin in his wake. Guest host Antho...

The vital clue

07 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When children go missing, police and the press scramble to get the word out. And sometimes crucial information slips through the cracks. Read more And...

They had a go

31 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In the face of danger, some rush in while others run away - and often they make headlines. Andrew Rule recounts some well known, and less well known, ...

The teacher's threat: Part 2

24 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a long road back for teacher Rob Hunter after he was kidnapped with his young students. He talks with Andrew about the what-ifs of the ordea...

The teacher's threat: Part 1

17 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Hunter was all of 20 year's old when a criminal kidnapped him and the young students in his care. He talks with Andrew about the ordeal. Read more...

BONUS EPISODE: Was this Australia's first serial killer?

13 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

He was a cold-blooded murderer who turned on his mates - and was hanged for his crimes. But how many lives did Robert Francis Burns really take? Jen K...