Let’s properly meet the two main characters in this story. Ross, the accused. A car thief and bank robber who’d spent a third of his life behind bars. And Ernie* the accuser. A fraudster whose arrest culminated in a police chase and with Ernie* dangling off Auckland’s Harbour Bridge. One would end up behind bars while the other became the Crown’s star witness.

*Names have been changed as they have name suppression or to protect their identity

See images and read more about the series at www.rnz.co.nz/nark

Special thanks to everyone who helped bring this podcast to life, especially Julie Appelgren and Suzanne Young.

And thanks to Ngā Taonga and Mediaworks for some of the archival audio.

AI was used to recreate the voice of Ross Appelgren. The only words used were those he wrote or said during his lifetime.

If you have any further information on this case, please email nark@rnz.co.nz

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details