Life and Crimes with Andrew Rule

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 Kelly from the Herald Sun podcast takes up the story. NOTE: Disturbing content.In Black and WhiteSubscribe to In Black and White by searching in your favourite podcast app, or get more info.Read an extract from Grave Tales, or get more information on the book. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a tale guns, drugs, wild dogs and deer heads. A group of rogue hunters are ripping up country Victoria and leaving a trail of destruction and death in their wake. Andrew Rule explains. Read the podcast companion for photos and more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. Andrew continues his conversation with Jock, a veteran of the turf who rubbed shoulders with the who's who of Australia's underworld. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jock was one of the best in the field on the turf. But the pressure on the track was nothing compared to his run-ins with Jimmy the Triad, George Freeman and the other men who ruled the racing underground. Read podcast companions and more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the mafia to Mokbel, the building industry has attracted its share of shady characters. Andrew Rule examines how it relates to Melbourne's current cladding crisis. Read more Andrew Rule podcast companions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drug cook 'Beechworth' Bob Slusarczyk didn't have a motorhome, but he did have an ultralight aircraft. And when it fell from the sky, the question had to be asked: who was Bob working for? Read the companion piece and more See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. Within the Pettingill crime family, two sons will be remembered as the most dangerous. Andrew Rule tells their story. Read the companion feature. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The happy facade of family can often conceal a shadowy world of lies and deception, as Andrew Rule explains. Read the podcast companion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alexander Robert MacDonald was a bandit and escapee who terrorised hundreds across Australia. But his worst crime would be against a lonely dad from Melbourne. Read more about the shocking crime. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew is joined by Jen Kelly, the host of the podcast , to talk about a collection of colourful characters from Melbourne's past who found themselves on the wrong side of the law.In Black and White See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Julian Knight opened fire on passers-by at Hoddle St in 1987, it would go down in Australian history as our first American-style mass-shooting. Andrew Rule looks at the mind of the man who caused the carnage. Read Keith Moor's account of meeting Knight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When police raided a shipment of Italian tomatoes, they found themselves seizing the world's biggest ecstasy haul.... And there were no surprises which crime organisation was behind it. Keith Moor joins Andrew Rule to discuss the bust. Read Keith's original in-depth investigation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As he stood in the street of an Italian town, hot on the heels of a mafia supergrass, journalist Keith Moor found himself looking down the barrels of three shotguns. He tells his remarkable tale to Andrew Rule. Subscribe to the Herald Sun at https://www.heraldsun.com.au/jabra See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's it really like to summit Mt Everest? As the death toll on the mountain rises, journalist Matthew Kitchin outlines to Andrew Rule how perilous the journey to the world's highest peak can be. Read Kitchin's first-person account of his trek. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From their first foothold in the cane fields of Queensland, the Calabrian mafia spread to become major players in the Australian underworld. Andrew Rule charts the trail of blood left behind in their rise. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WARNING: Disturbing content. From interviewing mass murderer Julian Knight to literally being chased out of town, journalist and author Keith Moor has unearthed some of the biggest crime stories in Australia. He sits down with Andrew to talk about his new book, Mugshots 3. More on Mugshots 3 at: https://www.wilkinsonpublishing.com.au/book/mugshots-3 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After being drummed out of the force, Roger Rogerson did the best he could. But sometimes that best was very bad indeed. Read more Andrew Rule at:heraldsun.com.au/andrewrule. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From brave young cop to convicted killer. Andrew Rule charts the rise and fall of one of the Australian gangland's most notorious figures. Read more at: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/andrewrule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew meets Doug Morgan, one half of the notorious robbery gang the After Dark Bandit. Doug is joined by the authors of a new book about his crimes and path to redemption; Geoff Wilkinson and Ross Brundrett. Read more Andrew Rule at https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-rule. More about Double Trouble at: https://www.wilkinsonpublishing.com.au/book/double-trouble See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Herald Sun chief court reporter Shannon Deery joins Andrew to talk about the extraordinary trial of one of the world's most powerful clerics. Become a Sunday Herald Sun subscriber at: heraldsun.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While Life and Crimes takes a short Easter break, listen to the tale of when underworld kingpin Carl Williams took some mates on a particularly gruesome car ride. First broadcast on 5/5/2018. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crime reporter David Hurley joins guest host Anthony Dowsley to go inside the strange case of a web of deceit spun by a wife-killer. Become a Herald Sun subscriber at: http://heraldsun.com.au/subscribe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warning: Disturbing content. Crime reporter David Hurley joins guest host Anthony Dowsley to talk about the time he met the perpetrator of a most shocking murder. Become a Herald Sun subscriber for more crime features and specials: http://heraldsun.com.au/subscibe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Dale 'Rent-A-Kill' Flannery was a violent man who met a mysterious end. Andrew Rule chronicles the life of one of Australia's most prolific hitmen. Read the podcast companion at: heraldsun.com.au/andrewrule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As footy comes back to town, Andrew talks with veteran reporter Jon Anderson about sporting crimes, misdemeanors and tall tales. Read the podcast companion at https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-rule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Ray Chuck met an untimely end, he was most probably the mastermind behind one of the greatest crimes in Australian history. Read the podcast companion at heraldsun.com.au/andrewrule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three gunshots at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court ended a bitter gangland war - and highlighted the shocking reach of organised crime in Victoria. Read more Andrew Rule, or subscribe at: heraldsun.com.au/andrewrule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warning: Disturbing content. Andrew speaks with journalist Helen Thomas, writer of the book Murder on Easey St about her view on one of Melbourne's most notorious murders. More information on Helen's book at: https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/murder-easey-street. Read more Andrew Rule at heraldsun.com.au/andrewrule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WARNING: contains disturbing content. Andrew examines the cases of three of Australia's most notorious fugitives. Read more Andrew Rule at heraldsun.com.au/andrewrule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warning: disturbing content. The wolves close in as Terry Clark's organisation starts to crumble. And it's every man, or woman, for themselves. Read more Andrew Rule at: heraldsun.com.au/andrewruleIf you or someone you know is in need of help, call Lifeline on 131 114, visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp, or call beyondblue on 1300 224 636 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Mokbel is fighting for his life after a prison stabbing. Andrew Rule and Anthony Dowsley discuss the life of the notorious drug kingpin. Read more at: heraldsun.com.au/andrewrule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Rule delves into the ongoing investigation surrounding one of Australian racing's biggest training names, Darren Weir. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Terry Clark takes his drug syndicate to new levels of success and excess. But behind the scenes, no-one is safe from the boss. Read more Andrew Rule at: heraldsun.com.au/andrewrule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the late 1970's a group of New Zealand drug dealers set up shop in Australia. And left a trail of bodies in their wake. Read Andrew Rule's latest columns at heraldsun.com.au/andrewrule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jockey was a little guy with big plans - that mostly involved stealing. Read, crime features, opinion, analysis and more at: heraldsun.com.au/andrewrule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From bikies to hitmen, several crooks left us in 2018. Andrew Rule tells some of their stories. Read backgrounders and more at heraldsun.com.au/andrewrule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT. An unlikely alliance forms in the quest to catch a monster. More on this case at: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-rule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A horrible discovery confirms the worst fears for the family of Sheree Beasley. And the hunt is on for the monster who did it. Read more at: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-rule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THREE-PART SPECIAL: When six-year-old Sheree Beasley goes missing, the town of Rosebud goes into shock. But in Melbourne, a psychotherapist starts putting together vital clues. Read more Andrew Rule at https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-rule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Binse has lead a hectic life - when he hasn't been in prison. Andrew outlines the crimes of one of Victoria's most colourful crooks. More Andrew Rule at: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-rule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul William Higgins was a violent thug, standover man and rapist. And he did it all while wearing a badge. Read more Andrew Rule at: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-rule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Australia's biggest legal scandal. A lawyer snitching on a who's who of the underworld - betraying her own clients. Andrew Rule and Anthony Dowsley reveal the secret world of informer 3838 and how the story could finally be told. Read more at: http:www.heraldsun.com.au/lawyerx See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tough-talking wife of Carl Williams achieved notoriety of her own during Melbourne's infamous Gangland war years. Andrew Rule and Anthony Dowsley dig into the life of Roberta Williams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Partner of notorious gangster Victor Peirce, Wendy's own life has been a colourful one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She was the self-styled matriarch of Melbourne's underworld, but despite her wealth and designer clothes, a life of crime ended the lives of her sons and husband and landed her in jail. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The glamorous Danielle McGuire attracted the attention of several high-profile gangland figures, including Tony Mokbel, and even gave a team of AFP agents the slip in Rome. This is part one of our series on the women behind some of Melbourne’s most notorious gangsters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether horses or cars, Rick Renzella always had an eye for a deal - and a steal. Read more Andrew Rule at: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-rule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew explores the darker side of the sport of kings. Read more Andrew Rule at https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-rule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Rule takes a detour from crime to talk about his new book on the champion mare with racing writer Chris Vernuccio. Read an excerpt from the book at heraldsun.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What seemed like a cheap and cheerful holiday to Australia turned into a cruel nightmare for a group of unwitting Japanese tourists. Read more Andrew Rule at: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-rule See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.