Love Bombed Presents: Betrayed: 3. Rod

Vicky Pattison wonders what it would take to stop Ray MacDonald offending, after his seven jail sentences imposed to-date, across two decades. Vicky looks at the court system and its limitations, laws surrounding dating apps and asks whether there’s anything that could prevent Ray from pursuing the women he targets. Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison. Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree. Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer. Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree. Sound designer: Kasel Kundola. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria). Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin. Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.

Ray McDonald agrees to an interview after being rumbled using dating apps under a false name. Meanwhile, Vicky catches up with some of the women whose lives have been turned upside down by Ray and discovers why it’s so hard for victims of romance fraud to rebuild their lives. Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison. Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree. Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer. Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree. Sound designer: Kasel Kundola. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria). Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin. Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.

Ray McDonald is out of prison. He’s already broken his restraining order banning him from dating apps and is on a website posing as “Rob from York”. Vicky’s production team arrange a date with his latest alter ego. They witness first-hand the tried and tested love bombing techniques that Ray has used for years before finally confronting him. Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison. Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree. Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer. Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree. Sound designer: Kasel Kundola. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria). Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin. Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.

Vicky Pattison explores Ray McDonald’s past, asking those who know him best why they think he has spent decades scamming people. Vicky asks whether time spent in the army may have given Ray the skills to be a better conman and hears how his refusal to deal with any fallout from his lies has affected his family life. Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison. Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree. Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer. Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree. Sound designer: Kasel Kundola. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria). Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin. Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.

As the extent of Ray McDonald’s repeat offending starts to become clear, Vicky discovers he has been released from his latest sentence. Vicky hears from Susan who went to school with Ray McDonald in County Durham. She grew up with him but that didn’t stop him from ruining her life. Love Bombed: WifeHunter presented by Vicky Pattison. Writer and Producer: Jane Downs and Barney Rowntree. Investigative reporter: Philippa Goymer. Story Consultant: Barney Rowntree. Sound designer: Kasel Kundola. Online Producer: Rachael Smith. Executive Producer: Dan Farthing (BBC Investigations NE & Cumbria). Commissioning Editor: Alistair Miskin. Lovebombed was made at BBC Radio Newcastle for BBC Sounds. Visit bbc.co.uk/actionline for help and support on issues raised in this series.