Why do we find crime so fascinating? What’s the truth about some of Britain’s most infamous criminals? What really goes on behind the blue tape? Intrusion or investigation?
Fred and Rosemary West, the killing of Jill Dando, the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, the Soham murders. Sky’s MARTIN BRUNT has covered them all in a career spanning 35 years. “In Conversation” with BOB WARMAN, Britain’s top crime correspondent reveals the stories behind the UK’s most notorious cases
Tickets £65 including 2 course meal and drinks reception.
Where: Edgbaston Golf Club, B15 3TB
When: Friday 8th November 2024
Time: 12.30 for 1pm
SOLD OUT
***********************************************************
The public’s fascination with crime is to get the forensic treatment at an upcoming Journalists’ Charity Celebrity Lunch.
Martin Brunt, long serving crime correspondent with Sky News, will be revealing the stories behind some of the most notorious cases of recent years.
Why is it that crime seems to grip the imagination of so many? Be it crime dramas, crime novels or real life crime, it somehow strikes a chord. But how is our attitude to crime evolving in the social media era? How have police/Press relations changed? Intrusion or investigation?
Martin will be offering an insight on such questions when he addresses Secrets of a crime reporter at Edgbaston Golf Club on Friday 8 November, hosted by former Central News presenter Bob Warman.
Fred and Rosemary West, the killing of Jill Dando, the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, the Soham murders … Martin has covered them all in a career spanning 35 years.
It all began when, after working for Fleet Street tabloids on a freelance basis, he took a staff job on the Sunday Mirror, eventually becoming chief reporter.
He revealed: “I was approached by Sky in 1989. Sky News was a revolutionary idea, with rolling 24-hour news, but nobody knew if it would succeed. I remember colleagues at the Mirror saying, ‘You’ll be back in three months!’ But Sky’s timing couldn’t have been better. The Fleet Street gravy train was hitting the buffers and the era of drinking sessions in pubs and big salaries was drawing to a close. It wasn’t long before my former colleagues wished they’d made the move I did, as Robert Maxwell took over the Mirror and looted the pension fund. Two years later, I was reporting on his death in the Canary Islands.”
Initially he had a general reporter role including covering the Gulf and Balkan Wars.
He recalls: “War reporting is the most exhilarating job in journalism, but it’s fraught with danger. On one occasion, we were in the Bosnian village of Travnik when I saw the flash of a sniper’s bullet whizz by. I didn’t understand at the time how perilously close I might have been to losing my life.”
From there it was onto the crime beat, which he has detailed in a book entitled No One Got Cracked Over The Head For No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter.
The quote came from John Stevens, former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. There had been a demonstration outside parliament at Labour’s plans to introduce a ban on foxhunting, and when the protest turned violent, the police drew batons. During a press briefing, the commissioner was asked why his officers lashed out. “He was usually very articulate, but on this occasion, he came out with this surprising quote. Afterwards, he jokingly put The Daily Mail reporter who asked the question in a headlock. It was in jest, yet illustrates the close relationship that used to exist between top brass at Scotland Yard and the Press. You can’t imagine that happening now, in the aftermath of the Leveson Inquiry.”
Former PR and Journalists’ Charity supporter Lois Burley, who persuaded Martin to step into the hot seat, said: “It is quite a coup that he is coming to Birmingham.
“He is the doyen of crime correspondents and a legendary figure in the industry. I am sure his talk will be both riveting and revealing.”
ENDS