This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.

Lech Blaine was ten years old when his family was located by Australia's most notorious stalkers.

Religious fanatics, Michael and Mary Shelley had been convicted multiple times by then of harassing politicians, religious figures and private citizens all over the world.

They were particularly interested in the Blaine's because they were fostering three of the Shelly's biological children.

Lech Blaine is now one of our country's brightest young writing talents, and telling his family's incredible story in a new book called Australian Gospel.

In part one of this two part edition of Australian True Crime, we learn about the backgrounds of the families and the beginnings of the Shelley's rampage around the globe.

You can get your copy of Lech's book, "Australian Gospel" here.

Click here to subscribe to ATC Plus on Apple Podcasts and access all ATC episodes early and ad-free, as well as exclusive bonus episodes.

Got a True Crime question you want answered on the podcast? Send us a question by recording a voice message here.

For Support:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram

Guest: Lech Blaine

Executive Producer: Matthew Tankard

GET IN TOUCH:

https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/

Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook

Send us a question to have played on the show by recording a voice message here.

Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com

Become a subscriber to Australian True Crime Plus here: https://plus.acast.com/s/australiantruecrime.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.