MOST FEARED GANGSTERS IN LIVERPOOL TOP 5- STEPHEN FRENCH, DARREN GEE, SAM WALKER, CURTIS WARREN In cup competitions they were much more successful however, winning both the League Cup and European Cup. The gang was so organised and so bold that they thought they could get away with anything. Meanwhile, Margaret Thatchers Conservative government was deeply unpopular in Liverpool, with the Conservative share of votes consistently low in most local council and parliamentary elections throughout the 1980s. He was known for carrying out brutal attacks on rival gang members and anyone who crossed him. Showers, now in his 70s, always denied the allegations. They managed to sneak into the UK unnoticed. Hey Friend, Before You Go.. Please like & follow for more interesting content. The approximated profits made by Anthonys operations within the area round up to about 571,000 pounds. As part of the gang, he was involved in the drug trade, armed robbery, and numerous acts of violence that spread terror around. The Story Of Sam Walker | One Of Liverpool's Most Notorious Gangsters He has been on the run for so long some have claimed he is actually dead - though last year someone claimed to have seen the scarred fugitive in Australia. Beginning his life of crime at a young age, he soon gained notoriety as one of the most violent gangsters in the city. Alongside drug dealers Patrick Tate, and Craig Rolfe, he was shot dead in a Range Rover, in Rettendon. Tony Tucker is one of Liverpools most notorious gangsters. Britton, the gangs boss was sentenced to five years in jail in 2009 for the death of a teenager in a hit-and-run incident. Gangs involved in activities such as drug trafficking occasionally have feuds, and criminal activity is a persisting issue not only in Liverpool, and in most cities in the UK. Comerford succumbed to cancer in 2003, at the age of 70. However, it wasnt until 2018 that he met his tragic end when he was gunned down while walking his dog in Merseyside countryside. The Cornermen were a violent gang of street robbers are believed to have committed the city's first gang-related murder in 1874. He ran a drug gang in Warrington, mainly involved in dealing cocaine. His death serves as yet another cautionary tale about the consequences of living outside the law. His first book on the vicious street gangs which plagued turn-of-the-century Liverpool was short-listed for a literary award. Now there are problems with online bullying and text messages. He's credited by police with being Liverpool's first drugs baron. His enforcers used threats and violence to collect debts from anyone who owed him. But by the 1990s he was so powerful he left all that to his team - and no-one crossed him. Also known as Top Cat, Tommy Comerford was one of the very first crime bosses to establish an international drug trafficking network in England. After his arrest and conviction in 2020, the gangs operations were severely disrupted. Liam was described as a "constant thorn in the communities of Merseyside". He used his money to move into the drugs world dealing with bigger and larger quantities of drugs, and ended up doing substantial terms of imprisonment for it. However, he continued to run his criminal empire from behind bars with the help of corrupt guards. He was known for his cold-blooded approach to killing and his ability to evade police detection. In one chapter Mick explores how WW2 impacted on children here. Like many urban areas in the UK, Merseyside has a long and notorious history of street gangs. Last but not least, we have Kirk Bradley. The riots were sparked following the interception by police of motorcyclist Leroy Cooper in Selbourne Street. Merseyside's most feared - where are they now? - Liverpool Echo 30 Best True-Crime Podcasts you need to listen to Right Now. In 2015, he was involved in a gang rivalry between two criminal groups in Salford. He was a member of the Dovecot Mafia, and he had a long criminal history that included drug trafficking, money laundering, and armed robbery. The gang was a major player in the sale of the ecstasy pill. He is known to have used explosives to blow up safes and make away with cash and other valuables. Top 10 Liverpool gangsters in Uk - London Business Blog Police promised to meet force with force as violence flared amongst gangs - and for the first time in Britain, officers routinely and openly carried firearms. The real name of the feared gangland enforcer remains unknown, but his reputation in the underworld is no secret. achillea4 4 hr. Although French may now be behind bars, his legacy as one of Liverpools most violent and dangerous gangsters lives on. This time, he received a life sentence with a minimum term of 18 years. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. They were however tracked down in Holland and extradited to the UK in 2012. Tom Driessen is Director of the Dutch National Crime Squad and says it's not an easy task: "The profile of those criminals from Liverpool is that they learned not only to do illegal activities but they learned to survive, and violence is part of their life from their youth "We can't name names. Feedback | ECHO profiles most-wanted fugitive after Australia 'sighting'. HIS first book on the vicious street gangs which plagued turn-of-the-century Liverpool was short-listed for a literary award. In 2016, he was arrested again for drug trafficking and money laundering. Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time. In September that year police launched Operation Asquith to smash the gang, with raids taking place in Plymouth, Southampton, Sheffield, and Greater Manchester. The gang is involved in drug trafficking. From overseeing gang activity to being paid to attack rivals by drug lords, Bradley and Downes easily became a notorious pair in crime. Happy travels! Holly Willoughby becomes 'real life princess' as she wears BRIDAL DRESS for Dancing On Ice; Presenter of the ITV show praised for fairytale bridal ITV Dancing On Ice viewers confused by what Brian McFadden was wearing; And some slammed the judges for 'over marking' him. He's the former head of Merseyside Serious Crime Squad but back in the mid 60's he was a young detective and remembers one of Commerford's audacious jobs. Some names may be listed in more than one city. When he was in the tin bath and he said: 'I am warm. Born in Toxteth, Liverpool, Stephen French is a former kickboxing gangster and one of the most notorious. Legend has it that he once tackled some ruffians by grabbing the leader and turning him upside down. He grew more violent as he rose through the levels of armed robbery, becoming one of the most notorious gangsters in the 1960s. The subsequent nine days of disorder saw hundreds of police and public injured, one man dead, 500 arrested, 70 buildings destroyed and damage estimated at 11m pounds. Liverpool gangs: Our history of violence - Liverpool Echo It's something I've looked back at in disgust at some of the things that I did.". The Maniac was however busted in 2018 by law enforcement officers who had been tracking his movements. He earned his moniker due to his cold and calculated nature, which made him a feared figure on the streets. One of Merseysides most wanted, Kevin Parle has evaded capture for more than a decade . In fact, he had served time in prison for drug-related offenses before being released and returning to his life of crime. He is one of the most notorious Liverpool gangsters who has been involved in various criminal activities including drug trafficking and money laundering. Funeral service of former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly, held at St Mary's church in West Derby, Liverpool, 2nd October 1981. Scouse Soldiers: the organised crime gangs of Merseyside This list includes gangsters and organized crime figures by area of operation/sphere of influence. Let us honour those who have suffered at the hands of these individuals while working towards creating a brighter tomorrow. During the 1980s, the far-left Militant group dominated Liverpool City Council under the de facto leadership of Derek Hatton (although he was only Deputy Leader). In 2009, he was again sentenced to 13 years imprisonment in a conspiracy to smuggle cannabis. He became a petty thief at an early age, and soon advanced into armed robbery. Liverpool St Station - 27 Sept 1980. Ranked! The 30 most-hated teams ever in British football He too was sprung from the prison van in Salford by an armed gang, but later caught after fleeing the country. He has an extensive criminal record, having been convicted of numerous crimes including murder and drug trafficking. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He was a key member of the infamous Team, a group that dominated the citys organized crime scene in the 1980s and 1990s. His nickname, The Devil, is reflective of the fearsome reputation he had earned in the criminal underworld. "You couldn't possibly fall out with him. A newspaper report in The New York Times of May 1890 talks of suspected smuggling by the stewards and petty officers of the various steamers which ran between Liverpool and New York. Inside Out charts the history of gangland violence on Merseyside in a special investigation. Tony Tuckers legacy lives on as one of Liverpools most infamous gangsters, remembered for his larger-than-life personality and involvement in organized crime. Colin Smith was known as Britains Cocaine King rising through the ranks of crime in the 1970s. We track down some of the players involved in Liverpool's gangland over the last three decades. Delroy, now in his mid-60s, was jailed in 2009 over a plot to smuggle just over 1m worth of amphetamines into Denmark from the Netherlands. The 1980-81 season was Liverpool's 89th season of football since they were established. Firemen tackling a blaze at Gerard Gardens, the fire involved a top floor flat and soon spread to the roof, but was quickly brought under control. As the drugs gangs expanded so did the violence - and a new phrase entered the gangland culture - contract killing. Top 10 Most Famous Cleveland Gangsters and Mobsters. Have a look at 10 Notorious London Gangsters. His legacy lives on as a reminder of the citys dark past and serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting involved with organized crime. 821 Views. As different immigrant communities arrived in Liverpool, drugs came in with them. The feared criminals, whose gang had access to a cache of guns, samurai swords and machetes, were jailed for more than 26 years combined in November 2013. Copyright 2019 Gale, Cengage Learning. Her two-year-old daughter was sleeping upstairs at the time. While crime in Liverpools streets has significantly reduced over the years, it has not been entirely erased. A former community leader - known for driving a white Rolls Royce through the streets of Toxteth - he had spent years locked up in a Turkish jail over his role in an international smuggling plot. Despite being a high-profile figure within Liverpools underworld, Joseph McKeever managed to escape any convictions that carried substantial sentences until he was brutally murdered by Mark Fellows another infamous Liverpool gangster in August 2017. He then fled the UK days after the bloodshed at Kimos restaurant, in October, 2010, and remained at large until Dutch armed police swooped on him last month in Amsterdam. From nicknames such as Killer, and Mad Dog to Devil, Liverpools most famous criminal figures have crafted quite a reputation for themselves. He was the founder of the Liverpool Mafia in the 1970s; a drug trafficking cartel based in Liverpool. One of the most famous 1960's criminals was a boy who grew up in Huyton - and became a man with a nickname - 'Killer'. Mick Macilwee tells Greg O'Keeffe why the sequel is just as disturbing. Crime and violence. Two brothers built Liverpool's most powerful drug gang - close to being seen as a bona fide cartel to rival Europe's significant criminal factions from Ireland, Russia and North Africa. . He quickly gained a reputation for violence and intimidation, and soon became involved with some of the citys most dangerous gangs. Like Bradley, has jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years. But in saying that it only led me to a life of desperation, despair and no hope "Money was made, money was spent. Charlie was charged with his murder but acquitted. This was to mark his authority and territory in the area. "My close blood brother Andrew John was shot dead in the street like a dog", Andrew's brother, Carl John remembers, "It wasn't drug related, but it was related to to the gang mentality that was taking over a lot of major cities and urban inner city dwellings, like Liverpool ghetto areas.". Warren is famed for having impeccable memory, to the extent that he never wrote down his bank account details or accounts for his drug business. Good luck wishes from a lorry driver for comic Ken Dodd as he makes his way to Liverpool Crown Court today for the final stage of his trial in which he denies tax fraud. Ray Clemence GK. But, as Mick amusingly recalls, the High Rips comeuppance came from a policeman who struck fear into the local thugs. Your email address will not be published. The city council incurred heavy debt as it fought the central governments proposal to reduce funding for local services. Over the next ten years 43 people would die in gun killings in Merseyside. The murder of Joseph McKeever sent shockwaves through the city, as it highlighted just how ruthless and dangerous these organized crime syndicates could be. Cocky remains locked up in Jersey, where he was convicted and sentenced to 13 years in jail over a 1m cannabis plot. A quiff of hair would protrude from underneath a bucko cap, set at a jaunty angle. Former chairman of Next George Davies, shows off his robes for the degree ceremony of the Polytechnic at which he was doctorate in business administration. Liverpool 8 was known then as a ghetto - and the life of the area's mainly black population of 20,000 centered around Granby Street. Marks and Spencer is occupying the next block. I did not hit him with a piece of iron, but only with a strap and some bricks. "And if we as elders of the villages and communities don't have something to keep their interests and channel their energies, it doesn't bear thinking about. 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Unlike. @StreetCrimeUK @streetcrimeusa @streetcrimeaustralia Join This Channel And Help Support Our Causehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwONzANTGhD9I4WCRTChMMg/joinStay Connected Via Our Website, YouTube channel, and Facebook. The most notorious Liverpool gang of all was the High Rip which announced itself with the infamous Blackstone Street Murder and waged a vicious war against its sworn enemies, the Logwood. There, they brokered a deal with the Cali Cartel, who agreed to smuggle cocaine in boxes covered by lead ingots. For nearly 30 years Liverpool gangsters have dominated the UK's illegal drug trafficking - creating and supplying the largest market in Europe. Despite being behind bars again, David Goulding remains an infamous figure in Liverpools underworld. Gangsters Ian and Jason were locked up for a combined 30 years in 2013 over a 7m plot to smuggle high-strength heroin from Turkey to Merseyside. His name is Charlie Seiga and today he's nearly 70 and says he's a reformed character. With help from their gang members, the two staged a prison break in 2011 while being transported to court. Circa 1980. The two used a yacht to sail to France, after which they traveled to Venezuela. The Liverpool Film Office, founded in 1989, was the first of its kind in the United Kingdom and along with North West Vision and Media and the UK Film Council acts to promote the city to film and television producers. His legacy as one of Liverpools most ruthless gangsters lives on today an unforgettable figure whose crimes will never be forgotten by those who knew of him or were affected by them. Some of Merseysides most notorious figures are well into lengthy sentences at Her Majestys Pleasure. Required fields are marked *. Michael Showers in the 1980s Notorious Toxteth drugs barons Michael and Delroy Showers are both believed to have been released from jail . But the ECHO understands the pair are now out of prison following stints in foreign jails. In the 1980s, the gangster film genre resurfaced, bringing with it top directors like Brian DePalma, John Huston, Francis Ford Coppola, and more. The worst thing I ever got involved in was heroin. 8 of England's Most Notorious Gangs | History Hit Warren is said to have learned about the drugs trade while working as a bouncer at a nightclub in Liverpool. He worked in security firms in Essex, and this made it easier for his gang to run drugs in Essex clubs. The murder remains unsolved to this day, but it is believed that he may have been killed by rival gang members or even his own associates. At the time, his net worth was estimated at 40 million pounds. His first encounter with the law was in 1991 when he was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for attempted robbery and possession of a firearm. Rob Bremner was born in Wick, a small working-class town close to the north-west tip of mainland Scotland. A huge, tough policeman from the Cheapside Bridewell was said to have put the fear of God into the gang. Liverpool experienced turmoil and upheaval during the 1980s. He was released in 2022. He even managed to evade prison time on several occasions by using legal loopholes or intimidation tactics. It was a fast, frivolous time and the money was spent fast and frivolously.". The population also declined rapidly from 1,276,000 in 1970 to 885,000 at the end of the 1980s. We met Virginia - a prostitute, crack addict and mother to four children she rarely sees. Police officers try to clear broken glass from Park Road outside a burning looted shop, so that the fire brigade can control the fire. Gerard Gardens, a tenement block in Liverpool city centre. It also served as a reminder that no one is ever safe when dealing with these criminals. 1980-81 season | Liverpool FC Wiki | Fandom The cocaine is in containers and the main port of entry is Liverpool," said one Mexican official. They had the problems of kids running wild while their dads were at war.. While he is still thought to be in jail, those terms mean he could soon be eligible for a parole hearing to argue for his release. . 80s Gangster Movies | List of Best 1980s Gangster Films - Ranker Liam Cornett's right-hand man was Michael Rice. Heavy-drinking gambling addict. Today, Stephen French remains behind bars but continues to maintain his status as one of the most infamous gangsters in Liverpools history. Head of the Noonan "crime firm" during the 1980s and 90s. French was involved in numerous criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and armed robbery. Army corporal turned drugs baron Peter Clarke worked with security firm boss Stephen Clarke to orchestrate shipments of cocaine and cannabis from Merseyside to Northern Ireland. Who are Liverpool's feuding gangs? | UK News | Sky News Where to live in Liverpool? : r/Liverpool - Reddit In 2005, he was charged by Dutch authorities for operating a drug smuggling ring from prison. 11th November 1989. List of films and television shows set or shot in Liverpool Despite his reputation as one of Liverpools most dangerous criminals, French managed to evade capture for years. In the early 1980s Liverpool was tagged by the media as 'Smack City' or 'Skag City' after it experienced an explosion in organised gang crime and heroin abuse, especially within the city's more deprived areas. My nephew Anthony Decan was shot in the head with a 9 mm pistol - survived - but lost the use of his left eye. Having abandoned his crime in the 1980s, he turned to write books on crime, and Killer was his first publication. Roberts grew up in Bootle, Liverpool, and started his criminal career at a young age. It has also been known for deploying violence in running its operations and engaging in fierce gang wars. He was finally convicted of Kinsellas murder in 2019, alongside his spotter, Stephen Boyle. As we move forward, let us hope that we do so with an understanding of the past and a commitment to building a safer future free from violence and criminality. He was one of the most famous gangsters, alongside his partner in crime, Tony Downes. Before he became involved with organized crime, Kinsella served in the British Army for over 12 years. One of the themes which runs through the book is that when one phase or trend for gangs runs out, another one replaces it. And now we zoom in on Liverpool Street station in the north-eastern corner of the City of London, in the ward of Bishopsgate Without. Tommy "Tacker" Comerford (1933-2003) Paul Grimes (born 1950) John Haase (born 1948) Mick, a Liverpool John Moores university librarian and part-time boxing coach, even observed similarities in the suggested ways of halting such outrages. Mrs Gell raced to the scene and spoke to her son as he closed his eyes for the very last time. Ghettoes and gangs At the start of the 1980s, a handful of families controlled Liverpool's drugs trade from homes in the south of the city. Thomas Watkinson was a notorious gangster from Liverpool who operated in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2017, he got involved in an extortion and kidnap attempt. Built in 1615, it has seen wars and peace through centuries of history and watched Liverpool grow from a village to become one of the country's busiest ports, 17th October 1980. The murder was connected to a rivalry between two Salford gangs. But that has not stopped some of their names from hitting the headlines over the past year. Watkinson rose to power as part of the Nogga Dogz gang, which controlled much of the drug trade in Liverpool during this time. Despite being convicted multiple times throughout his criminal career, French continued to be active in the underworld. He became a major player in Merseysides criminal scene and served up to 34 years in prison throughout his criminal career. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. He knew that we were aware what his criminal activity was and he used to use us as a game really. He was known for employing intense violence in collecting payment and generally running his drug operations. Tucker was a notorious member of the Essex Boys, a gang that operated in the 1980s and 1990s. Comerford was born and raised in Liverpools Vauxhall district. Another old Liverpool landmark bites the dust - the portal that once welcomed the city's poor and destitute is all that remains of the David Lewis Hostel and Club. However, behind closed doors, he was a ruthless killer who showed no mercy when it came to taking out his targets. One such group was The Cornermen, whose members would supposedly wait on a street corner for a victim to pass by before they pounced. Stephen French is now an anti-gun campaigner: "Firearms terrify me because firearms in the hands of wrong people end lives, destroy lives, end communities. Liverpool in the 1980s pays tribute to the constancy of the Liverpudlian spirit. With the drugs has come guns for protection - and enforcement. In 1918, a posse of three teenagers from Bootle lassoed two women in Stanley Road and dragged them screaming halfway down Rufford Road. Despite being sentenced to 25 years in prison, Bradley still remains a prominent figure within the Liverpool underworld. These cold bloodied assassinations resulted from criminals sorting out their differences. However, he eventually met his downfall when he was caught carrying a firearm in public and sentenced to seven years in prison. Liam was operating from Spain. The drug dealer was put behind bars for the publics protection after a secret probe caught him conspiring to buy guns and threatening to kill a teenager. Over 30 years he's defended in 70 murder cases - many involving gangsters. Top 10 Liverpool Gangsters in 2022. It is home to the Beatles, the world-famous rock band, and major football clubs including Liverpool and Everton FC.