
About this episode
Charles Sobhraj is a convicted killer and the inspiration for the new BBC One drama, The Serpent.
Julia and Sofie speak with Julie Clark, journalist and author of On the Trail of the Serpent: The Life and Crimes of Charles Sobhraj. Julie and her late husband Richard Neville met Sobhraj. What is he really like?
And we hear from Sobhraj himself as Julie shares a secret recording from his cell. Spending so much time with Sobhraj landed Julie and Richard in a tricky situation, Sobhraj told them he had plans to break out of jail. Did they tell the police? What should journalists do when they find themselves in similar moral dilemmas?
And do Julie’s observations suggest that Sobhraj is a psychopath?
Warning: This episode contains strong language and references to violence and murder.
Presenters: Dr. Julia Shaw and Sofie Hagen Producers: Paula McGrath and Caroline Steel Assistant Producer: Simona Rata Music: Matt Chandler Series Editor: Rami Tzabar
Commissioning Producer: Hannah Rose Commissioning Executive: Dylan Haskins Commissioning Editor: Jason Phipps
Bad People is a BBC Audio Science Production for BBC Sounds
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