Michel Vajour, known as the "King of Escape," offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of prison breaks. Born in 1951 in northern France, Michel's childhood was anything but ordinary. After being abandoned by his parents, he was raised by an aunt who loved him dearly until her untimely death. This left him in the care of his alcoholic parents, pushing him toward a life of rebellion and petty crime.

At just 18, Michel became a father and struggled to leave his criminal past behind. Despite working at a factory, he found himself drawn to the thrill of joyriding in stolen cars, which ultimately led to his arrest for grand theft auto.

Michel's first stint in prison lasted 30 months, during which he became known as a problem prisoner. He fell into the wrong crowd, and his criminal activities escalated. He later stated that his time in prison only deepened his criminal tendencies, as he learned from other inmates.

Michel's most notorious escapes involved elaborate planning and daring execution, often utilizing unexpected methods. One of his most famous escapes was a helicopter heist that became legendary in France.

Scottish phrase of the week: tattie boggie

Use code HOOKED for 10% off your tickets to https://www.crimecon.co.uk/ 

Support this podcast by buying us a coffee buymeacoffee/hookedontruecrimeAlso available on YouTube

The Daring Love Story of NadineVaujour: The French Woman Who Learned to Fly a Helicopter to Break Her Husbandout of Prison

A PARIS PRISONER FLEES BY COPTER -The New York Times

The Vaujour Escape

MY GREATEST ESCAPE – Le Bureau –Paris

Escape of Michel Vaujour from theHealth Prison - Video available for purchase, rights included - mediaclip

The Woman Who Got a Pilot’s Licenseto Help Her Husband Escape From Prison | by Andrei Tapalaga ✒️ | Medium

Police identify pilot in helicopterprison break - UPI Archives

Warning: Possibly the saddest story we have told. Listen with tissues!

This episode explores the tragic case of Bridget Cleary, often called the last woman burned alive in Ireland, highlighting the dangerous power of superstition, folklore, and societal beliefs in late 19th-century Ireland.

Use code HOOKED for 10% off your tickets to https://www.crimecon.co.uk/ Support this podcast by buying us a coffee buymeacoffee/hookedontruecrime

Sources:

Bridget Cleary -the last woman burned alive in Ireland

TheCharred Remains of Bridget Cleary Were Found in A Bog and Opened Up a ChillingInvestigation Involving Fairies

FairyWife - The Burning of Bridget Cleary - Wildfire Films

Changelings,Fairies, and Witchcraft? The Full, Unsparing Account of Bridget Cleary’s Murderin March 1895 - The Brehon Academy

HERSTORYOF THE MONTH: Bridget Cleary

"DarkestIreland" and the burning of Bridget Cleary

In this episode, we talk all things CrimeCon Birmingham. We include the content and all the links you need to continue your CrimeCon UK experience or start it a fresh! Plus we hear from the lovely Nancy from CrimeCon UK HQ about the next CrimeCon in London i(October 3rd and 4th, 2026) and a very important addition to the Crimecon family. Links below.

Special thanks to our listeners (esp. Andrea) for their feedback.Support this podcast by buying us a coffee, your kindness is always appreciated - buymeacoffee.com/hookedontruecrime

Mentioned in this podcast

CrimeConUK https://www.crimecon.co.uk/crimecon-uk-2026- use code HOOKED for 10% off your London Tickets

https://www.truecrime-tv.co.uk/

Madeleine Black – Tedx Glasgow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ouhY155398

Truly Criminal https://www.youtube.com/@TrulyCriminal

True Crime with Elli Mac https://www.youtube.com/@ellimacyt/podcasts

Seeing Red https://www.seeingredpodcast.co.uk/

Dead Famous https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dead-famous/id1866715220

True Crime Investigators UK https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/0d4ac292-719d-4c5b-92c5-5ad04d880cf3/true-crime-investigators-uk

The Crime Scene Insiders https://thecrimesceneinsiders.podbean.com/

Real https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/real/id1616514570

Criminally Good Books https://criminallygoodbooks.co.uk/

MISSPER https://www.leedstrinity.ac.uk/about/our-schools/school-of-social-sciences/missper/

Crimeconversations https://www.crimecon.co.uk/crimeconversation

Switchblade Sisters Social Club  https://switchbladesisterssocialclub.com/

Scottish Murders https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/86513412-8995-4484-8ba6-7d161af99267/scottish-murders?ref_=dmm_acq_mrn_c_ds_rsr_z_p456-cr574556-c

The Krays Web https://thekraysweb.com/

Foul Play https://open.spotify.com/show/2oE3Y8kMhcjNegqguz0muO?si=e42e49401eb34f21

Paranormia https://open.spotify.com/show/6i3knkl1QAHQFQq6K1wJLs

Cult Vault https://open.spotify.com/show/5jj1sbs9YQFTbBn0w8AP0L

Nola 93 https://open.spotify.com/show/33tHsaP1SrLm9KdhiKnbJR

In Esto https://open.spotify.com/show/5KHS0zCD9di2EWIPToPQci

Killer in the Family https://open.spotify.com/show/7N2MJbfns5w7DvM8Pnvy0m

Don’t Blame the Mum https://open.spotify.com/show/3fTlyvDJwwPheswPchTDug

Unexplained  https://open.spotify.com/show/269rqhbJIyaCbIzEI4BzCz

Perplexed podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3WA9QA6Jbq6eLMjkuNyHDv

West Midlands Police Museum https://museum.west-midlands.police.uk/

Crime and Craft UK https://www.kirstyvickery.co.uk/

National Foundation for Retired Service Animals https://www.nfrsa.org.uk/

Cryptic Killers  https://shop.cryptickillers.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22883176765&gbraid=0AAAAAqcrnAWh2Lc99c4cIpmIw14nGJl_i&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkrzPBhCqARIsAJN460kmqQRJq0evX6ukX6tHE8z2kWoye9FWsxn_wOAoaNbzJtb8iXNglbwaArRYEALw_wcB

Real Podcast - Who killed Brian and Susan? https://open.spotify.com/episode/27kndY7u40qsMpXXuMog3e

Still Standing by Natalie Queiroz  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Still-Standing-Natalie-Queiroz/dp/1789460654/ref=asc_df_1789460654?mcid=3de0c080fad839ab871b336d158838e5&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697285047520&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5799912451074454910&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045718&hvtargid=pla-768239462129&psc=1&hvocijid=5799912451074454910-1789460654-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

https://www.itv.com/watch/donal-macintyre-killer-evidence/10a4683

https://www.suzylamplugh.org/

MurderOfCrows https://www.youtube.com/@DrSteve-MurderOfCrows

One dark and, hopefully, stormy night in 1574, Richard Galis went to bed after closing up the Garter Inn for the evening.  He blew out the candle but, try though he did, he could not reach a restful slumber.  So alone in the blackness, Richard tossed and turned and worked himself into a greater state of anxiety by listing in hishead his many misfortunes.  Then around about the hour of midnight it came for him.  A huge and terrifying black cat, as large as any dog that Richard had ever seen, appeared through some unknown entry into his bedchamber.  It’s black fur stood out and bristled from it’s body as the beast padded silently closer to Richards bed.  For a time Richard was paralysed with terror and his limbs were ridged with fear and pain...

Richard is convinced witches must have cursed him and sent one of their familiars to haunt his nights. This starts his one-man persecution of four innocent yet cantankerous old women. Despite rounding up the women in town, tying them with rope and paying children to drag them to the Mayors house in order to have them locked up for witchcraft, Richard was mostly ignored. That is until the Queen is cursed. Things then get serious for the poor old women of Windsor.

This is a story of wicked folk, but the wicked ones aren't the 'witches'.

Scottish word of the week : cannae or canny

Use code HOOKED for 10% off your CrimeCon UK London ticket.

Help support this podcast by buying us a coffee -Buymeacoffee.com/hookedontruecrimeSources used in this episode:

Web

A brief treatise con- taining themost strange and horrible cruelty of Elizabeth Stile alias Rockingham and herconfederates, executed at Abingdon, upon R. Galis. 1579 : Galis, Richard : FreeDownload, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

[TCP] [A brief treatise containingthe most strange and horrible cruelty of Elizabeth Stile alias Rockingham andher confederates, executed at Abingdon, upon R. Galis]

A Case of Witchcraft in ElizabethanWindsor - Windsor Local History Group

RICHARD GALIS AND THE WITCHES OFWINDSOR | The Library

Witches in Abingdon – Abingdon MuseumBlog

Book

“Thou SavageWoman, Female Killers in Early Modern Times” (Blessing Adams)

What makes an relatively ordinary woman murder three women in less than a year?

This is the story of the cursed life and crimes of the Italian Serial killer Leonarda Cianciulli. Leonarda deceived three women, murdered them with an axe and then used the bodies to make soap and teacakes. But why? this is far from a simple case. We tell you what really happened to Faustina Setti, Francesca Soave and Virginia Cacioppo by detailing Leonarda Cianciulli's life story. A tale of superstition and obsession.

Italian phrase of the week: in bocca al lupo

To help support the podcast visit -Buymeacoffee.com/hookedontruecrime

Thank you Andrea for your support

Use code HOOKED for 10% off your CrimeConUK Tickets

Sources:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deadly-Soap-Maker-Correggio-Cianciulli-Superstitious/dp/B09ZCJLCP8

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/168011493

In this episode, Ali and Sarah conclude their coverage of the Kouri Richins trial by looking into the closing arguments and the verdict. They speak about the evidence and the points which both the prosecution and the defence highlighted to the Jury on the last day of trial. Using recorded exerts from the trial, they compare the different tactics and methods used by the State and the defendant. After talking briefly about the verdict, they go on to discus the pre trial hearings for the case and the evidence which was ruled inadmissible and that the Jury never got to see.

Essex word of the week: babe

use code HOOKED for 10 percent off CrimeConUK (Birmingham and London)

References:

UTv. Kouri Richins - Trial Day 15 - Closing Arguments. How many objections??

VERDICT-- UT v. Kouri Richins - Trial Day 15

LIVECOURT | UT v. Kouri Richins - Pre-Trial Hearing and Motions.

UT v. Kouri Richins | FinalPre-Trial Rulings... some unexpected new evidence. Walk The Dog Ruling.

LIVE!Real Lawyer Reacts: Kouri Richins, Legal Look At This True Crime Story

Sarah and Ali go through the 12 days of witnesses in the trial of Kouri Richins for the murder of Eric Richins. They discuss the important testimonies and evidence presented by the prosecution and whether it is enough to convict beyond a reasonable doubt. They also talk about the strategies employed by the state and the defence during the trial.

Scottish word of the week: Slaiver.

To help support the podcast visit -Buymeacoffee.com/hookedontruecrime

Use code HOOKED for 10% off your CrimeConUK Tickets

References.UTv. Kouri Richins Trial - YouTube

KouriRichins - YouTube

KouriRichins Murder Trial: All About the Utah Mom Convicted of Killing Her Husband

UTv. Kouri Richins: Grief Author Murder Trial | Court TV

Ali and Sarah begin to cover the trial of Kouri Richins for the aggravated murder of her husband Eric Richins. In this episode, they talk about the early life of the victim, Eric Richins and his relationship with Kouri.

They also look at the opening statements of the trial from the prosecution and defence's case. Discussing the strategies used by both sides and how effective they were, or indeed weren't. As they analyse some of the evidence that will come in during the trial, they consider how the same evidence can be taken as incriminating or exculpatory depending on how it is interpreted.

Scottish phrase of the week: Och Aye the Noo.

To help support the podcast visit -Buymeacoffee.com/hookedontruecrime

Use code HOOKED for 10% off your CrimeConUK Tickets

References.UTv. Kouri Richins - Trial Day 1 - Opening Statements, Memes, & the strangestreal life cross. Ever - YouTube

UTv. Kouri Richins: Trial Day 1 - Opening Statements

Ep 78 - UT v. Kouri Richins- Week 1 Recap with Big George

COURTROOM INSIDER | Openingstatements, texts, body cam and first witnesses in Kouri Richins trial

LIVE: UT v.Kouri Richins - Day 1 | Grief Author Murder Trial

In this episode as we explore a chilling 19th-century case from rural Suffolk, where rumours, suspicious deaths, and a man’s dire fate reveal the dark side of Victorian life. Discover the detailed investigation, trial, and haunting questions that remain about motive and justice. In this episode:

• The early rural life of William Morley and his family in Suffolk
• The suspicious death of William Patrick and initial suspicion on William Morley
• The mysterious poisoning of John Foster with arsenic in his dumplings
• The thorough post-mortem analysis, including revolutionary tests for arsenic in the 1840s
• The evidence, trial, and conviction of Catherine Foster for her husband's murder
• Unique details: Thomas Morley's crucial eyewitness testimony and Catherine’s confession
• The social context: marriage, duty, and Victorian attitudes towards motive and morality
• A reflection on investigative techniques then and now, and lingering questions about motive and innocence.

Scottish Word of the Week: Neuk

Use code 'HOOKED' for 10% off your CrimeConUK tickets for Birmingham and London. See you there! https://www.crimecon.co.uk/

References:

Youtube

Catherine Foster The LastWoman Hanged In Suffolk

The Sinister and CalculatingCase of Catherine Foster

Web.

TheExecution Of Catherine Foster - Hansard - UK Parliament

The Hanging ofCatherine Foster

TheStrange Case of Catherine Foster Who Poisoned Her Husband – Capital PunishmentUK

Theserious young girl from Sudbury who poisoned her new husband’s dumplings |Sudbury Mercury

Resultsfor 'catherine foster' | Between 1st Jan 1800 and 31st Dec 1849 | London,London, England | Location | British Newspaper Archive

CatherineFoster; the trial | Acton Books

This week on HOTC, we continue with the story of Edith Thompson and the murder of her lover, Frederick Bywaters. We cover Edith's Trial and talk about the obfuscation and dissembling used by the prosecution. We also discuss our thoughts on her culpability.

Scottish word of the week: Aoanach (actually means a gathering place, not the devil, Ali!!)

Use code 'HOOKED' for 10% off your CrimeConUK tickets.

https://www.crimecon.co.uk/

Sources:

Edith Thompson:Hanged woman's case denied pardon bid - BBC News

Edith Jessie Thompson | A True Story ofInjustice

EdithThompson and Frederick Bywaters – Capital Punishment UK

frederickbywaters– The Hopeful Edwardian

Books

Au RevoirNow Darlint : The Letters of Edith Thompson

Thompson,Laura

MurderMystery and My Family

KarenFarrington