Something went wrong, please try again later. The self-proclaimed retired criminal decided now was the time to set the record straight on a number of lies, rumours and misconceptions that have circulated about his family over the years. Wilson scored twice against Southampton to extend his tally to 15 goals in the Premier League this season. On April 24 last year, police went to the home of Thomas Tait Snr in Kenton, Newcastle and found a kilo of cocaine in a cupboard and a further 1.5kg in the loft, along with a Glock handgun. A search warrant was also executed at the home of their gran, Glendenning, in Byker. Glendenning, 63, of Northumberland Terrace, Byker, was jailed for 30 months. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. Britain does not have a "Mr Big", or single national organisation that controls the distribution of drugs, with gang members in every city and an interest in every major scam. Lee Duffy was the fighting man of Teesside and Viv Graham was the fighting man of Tyneside - it goes down as one of biggest fights that never happened. Organised crime in the UK is more complex than ever before. Mary Egan, jailed for her part in a shooting conspiracy (Image: Newcastle Chronicle) Egan, of Hawthorn Walk, Elswick, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail after being convicted of . Conroy ( Source : youtube ) Paddy Conroy, a former fugitive who was convicted of torturing a gangland rival more than 15 years ago, will take a lie detector test in an attempt to cleanse his name. I cannot begin to explain how hard our detectives have worked to piece together what happened on the evening of these shootings so we can put those responsible before the courts. Their associates Barry Lynn, 40, and Leon Haq, 39, were also each sentenced to ten years behind bars following the violent attack in Elswick, Newcastle. A court was told how the shooting sparked a Northumbria Police investigation into the family's violent feud with Kenneth Thompson. Also counterfeiting, video piracy, money laundering. After this he started to suffer from frequent headaches and he was receiving death threats almost every day. But despite the glum predictions, British police have as yet found no evidence to suggest that Britain is likely to be overwhelmed by gangs or run by a "godfather" figure. A childhood friend of the Kray Twins, he was used as a go-between by the Richardson's until his murder by Ronnie Kray at The Blind Beggar pub in 1966. Haq, of Newbold Street, Byker, also admitted two counts of making threats to kill and was jailed for ten years. Among those snared when the material was passed to the National Crime Agency was former soldier David Nixon, who was being orchestrated by a mystery crime boss known only as Masterpasser. You are gambling with your life and the stakes keep getting higher. None of the traditional criminal groups has been well organised or ambitious enough to extend much beyond its home base. Gone are days of the working-class mobsters, ruling with a razor blade and an iron fist. And he has also been working on a book called Faces, which uses pictures to profile notorious villains up and down the country. In the early hours of August 7, 2019, they were informed a 19-year-old relative of Thompson had been admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg. Three members of the Lamb family used swords and a bayonet to inflict devastating injuries on a rival. In 1991 the problem of extortion, or "tea money", became so severe among London's Chinatown community that restaurant owners called on the Government and police for help. "Recent investigations have continued grossly to underestimate the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the British criminal classes," says Dr Barry Rider, a senior legal academic at Cambridge University. This book is the real story of the most notorious of Newcastle and the northeasts most feared gangsters and hard men But more and more gangs are getting involved in currency counterfeiting, firearms smuggling and money laundering. The book, and others about the Sayers family, is available to pre-order here: https://thesayers.bigcartel.com/product/a-breed-apart-signed-by-the-authors-pre-order, Bauer Media Group consists of : Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited, Company number: 1394141Registered office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing, Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern, 75 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales. The shooting was followed by three more in the area in as many days. Viv first started to make a name for himself as a bouncer on the rural outskirts of the city (Newcastle), he unwittingly became involved in the lifestyle of disorganised crime. In the early hours of August 7, 2019, police were informed a teenage relative of Thompson had been admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Another well-known London crime family is the Clerkenwell crime syndicate in Islington, also known as the 'Adams family'. Soon, Viv's apparent dislike of drugs and his concern for the community began to annoy the aforementioned West End crime family. He was my friend. In one, Andrew McLaughlin, 31, opened his door to an unknown man who blasted him with a shotgun. Their father was shot in the throat at close range as he sat drinking in a Quayside pub in 1995 and survived by driving to hospital. There are consequences to what we did, and that is the excessive sentences. Finney: With David Morrissey, Andy Serkis, Melanie Hill, Clive Russell. Theres a lot of hardworking people in our family. There is even a story of Viv having to hide behind a settee when a debt collector came to visit, having blown the thirty grand meant for the debt collector the day before. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. When it came to picking their accomplices these criminals chose to keep it in the family. Both Leon Haq, 40, and Barry Lynn, 41, initially denied the same charge and a section 20 assault before changing their pleas to guilty during their trials. His size and boxing skills made him an excellent insurance policy against the thugs and drug dealers who at the time polluted the pubs and clubs scene. Viv's infamy attracted the attention of a notorious crime family from the west end of Newcastle who controlled the majority of the drug flow into the region at the time and they attempted to get him onto their payroll. In an exclusive interview the former career criminal has told the Chronicle why he must now stay out of prison, and lifted the lid on what life is really like at the centre of one of Newcastles most notorious families. this plan was realised, as on New Years Eve 1993, just as Viv was leaving The Queens Head, three shots echoed into the night. Haq, of Newbold Street, Byker, also admitted two counts of making threats to kill and was jailed for 10 years. In 1991 in north London a Nigerian drugs courier had her face and breasts ironed by a drugs gang to obtain details of her shipment. And after being inside his criminal career continued. But the scrap never happened as Graham didnt turn up. West End Foodbank reports busiest month in 10-year history amid city's 'staggering' need for help, The West End Foodbank handed out more food parcels in March than in any other month since it launched in 2013, What's the best North East pub? 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Major centres: London, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle. 1928-1966. Kerry Tams, 26, of Hawthorn Walk, Elswick, Thomas Tams, 60, of Bishops Road, Benwell, Charlotte Tams, 20, of Silvermere Drive, Ryton, all denied conspiracy to possess a Firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Gone are days of the working . The scene was set. Viv and Anna decided to buy a new house on the outskirts of Newcastle, and he tried in vain to legitimise his business. Organised crime is alive and kicking in Britain. Although predictions that Britain was going to face an American-style "invasion" by West Indian gangsters has proved unfounded, in recent years the police have reported an upsurge in violent Yardie drug wars. John Henry was jailed for 15 years after a violent 350,000 robbery on the Pritchards security firm, in Gateshead, in 1989. There are these two fictitious families who are just fiercely against each other. He wanted one last fight, but soon died in the arms of his friend (who happened to own The Queens Head). While all agencies acknowledge that organised crime in Britain is small compared to countries such as Italy and the US, NCIS already has a list of 366 "criminals of major significance". There is growing evidence that a loose-knit national network is being established between some of the traditional family or working-class gangs. Inquiry into the murder revealed the depth to which the Triad societies had infiltrated the Chinese community in Glasgow and the power they wield through extortion, drugs and gambling." Now producers have stepped in to line-up the novel up for an adapted TV drama. were jailed for three years for attacking doorman Stuart Watson. Stephen Sayers has penned the tell-all biography along with Steve Wraith, Stuart Wheatman and Rebecca Sayers, entitled; The Sayers: Tried And Tested At The Highest Level. Their reign during the Seventies and Eighties ended after a series of successful police operations: during an attempted armed robbery in November 1990 one of the gang was shot dead by detectives and Dogan Arif, 42, the head of the family, is currently serving 14 years for his part in an pounds 8.5m drug-smuggling plot. There was a lot of bad animosity in the city at the time. There is great difficulty in persuading witnesses to come forward because of brutal reprisals and intimidation. No evidence that they are run by bosses; usually a Yardie with a reputation for violence and murder obtains the services of British Afro-Caribbeans to help to run drug rackets. In Scotland in the past six months rival drug factions fighting for their share of a business worth pounds 10m a year have carried out a number of killings and attacks in the Paisley area of Glasgow. Bernie, 53, from Ferryhill, County Durham, said: In Newcastle, the criminals are uniquely family orientated and its all about the families. David Lamb, of Hewitson Terrace, Gateshead, 51, Paul Lamb, 53, of Nursery Lane, Gateshead and James Lamb, 27, also of Nursery Lane, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent. Today, the 51-year-old promised to "clean up the Conroy image" by . The Sayers family is well known in Newcastle. They wanted to expand their already large drugs enterprise, but the anti-drugs Viv was in the way. Wilson scored twice against Southampton to extend his tally to 15 goals in the Premier League this season. Newcastle Crown Court heard the father and son raced to the scene on Woodlands Terrace, Felling, armed with two swords and a bayonet or dagger. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, 1st Floor, Chartist Tower, Upper Dock Street, Newport, Wales, NP20 1DW Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. The Hunt Crime Syndicate, otherwise known as the Canning Town Cartel, led by David Hunt is one of the biggest London crime firms. Those links made them a formidable force in the criminal underworld. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Strathclyde Police, for example, report that these four triad groups have all firmly established themselves among the Chinese communities, mainly in Glasgow. There is evidence of a small number of clans involved in drug trafficking, extortion and car theft. But with technology things have changed. Where they are based: mainly in south London, particularly Brixton, also Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, and Leeds. Newcastle Chronicle) By. The incident was the result of a bitter feud between Kenneth Thompson and Leon Haq, which had seen the latter request the help of the Tams and associate Barry Lynn. Particularly from the former Soviet Union. He was big, but a lot of it was all steroids and not a lot of power. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can Power rating: expanding their interests in the UK. They were sentenced on Friday alongside associates Barry Lynn and Leon Haq who were each jailed for ten years for the violent attack in Elswick. Egan, of Hawthorn Walk, Elswick, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail after being convicted of. This Bank Holiday Monday could be your lucky day as another chance to become a National Lottery winner comes around. Amongst his businesses he [] There have also been fears that increasing numbers of firearms will be smuggled into the country. Bernies book will be adapted for the eight-part drama named Once Upon A Tyne which is being produced by Revelation Films Limited. Keiran Southern. He said: For 20 odd years I have kept quiet. In September Thomass ex-partner, Mary Egan ,48, who had always denied her role in the conspiracy, was found guilty and jailed. "We want to be able to spot trends quickly," says Peter Richie, head of the Organised Crime Unit at NCIS's Strategic and Specialist Intelligence Branch. Newcastle Crown Court was told how the men were part of a gang of . Japanese Yakuza gangs and the Italian Mafia have also established themselves in Britain, primarily via money-laundering. Bernie, 53, from Ferryhill, County Durham, said: "In Newcastle, the criminals are uniquely family orientated and it's all about the families. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. The gang also had access to a frightening arsenal of firearms, supported by hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Mr Mitchell said the infiltration of the subscription EncroChat service is what brought the gang down. It was here that he began to make enough money to fund his two obsessions - gambling and women. Where Viv was naive, he wasnt, he was street wise. Yardies often use brutal tactics against rivals. How they make money: almost exclusively through drug dealing. Tait then roped his dad, Thomas Tait Snr, into the conspiracy to drive him around when he was banned from the roads and his brother, Thomas Tait Jnr, was also involved. He summoned the strength which he had left and dragged his body back to his favourite pub. I was constantly in and out of prison. The vehicle's windscreen was shattered with a sledgehammer and the crew was blasted with a shotgun. Members of the Japanese organised crime Boryokudan ("group of violence"). The link to Stephens books www.badboysbooks.netStephan sayers Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesayers/Stephen sayers website www.thesayers.co.ukMy social media links http://instagram.com/jamesenglish2http://twitter.com/jamesenglish0http://Facebook.com/Jamesenglish11You can also listen \u0026 download full Podcasts at the link below.https://jamesenglish.podbean.com/https://itunes.apple.com/ How they make money: mainly enterprise crime with little penetration of the financial world, and in drug trafficking, often through control of pubs and clubs. Well first time authors and cousins Eddie Lennie and Tony Sayers have researched 130 years of the family history to tell all the tales. Kerry, Charlotte and Thomas Tams have been jailed for a total of more than 15 years after a 19-year-old was shot in the leg during the summer of 2019. 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His first spell in custody came when he was just 15 and locked up in a detention centre for his role in a city centre brawl which landed him with convictions for grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm. Bernard OMahoneys Fog on the Tyne novel documents Newcastles criminal underbelly with tales of murder, robbery and torture. The incidents were quickly linked and in the days that followed 12 people were arrested and a Luger-style gun was recovered from the River Tyne. Bekir Arif was later jailed for five years after being convicted of disposing of guns. Who killed him? Newcastle gangster Stephen Sayers talks about his friendship with the notorious northern hardmen in a new DVD alongside his new book. L-R: Edward Lennie and Tony Sayers who have written a book called 'A Breed Apart' - Pictured with Stephen Sayers (centre) (Image: Newcastle Chronicle) It is a name that can . But in April last year, French police gained access and found a rich vein of damning evidence against gangsters around Europe. These days you have got more chance of seeing me walking around the park with my grandchild than in a nightclub.. They did not bother trying to plan for the future, both believing that their good luck would last forever. Only a small number of "cells" in operation, comprising about 50 people, mainly in London. Locke's SAFC said: From what I've heard mate, from a good source, he was a bit of a bully and he wasn't what you would call a hard fella. I was brought-up to keep a low profile. And Im sick of people attaching our names to things and slandering our good name. He was charged by police and in April last year he was jailed for six years. Also gun trafficking and protection rackets. Enforcer who worked for Charlie and Eddie Richardson during the 1960s. A growing number in the Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities, often set up in response to racist attacks. 21:43, 19 Oct . But the most recent threat to Britain, according to both police and NCIS, are criminals from the former Soviet Union. Det Chief Insp Paul Woods, from Northumbria Polices Priority and Organised Crime Team, said: "The Taits thought they were untouchable but thanks to the hard work and unrelenting efforts of our officers and staff, their illicit business has been dismantled and our communities already made safer.". Even though I was still a kid I was a child who had been beating up men. In March 1994 a cocaine dealer shot two unarmed policemen - in the back and in the leg - as they carried out a routine check in a south London street. For this reason he decided to experiment with steroids and ballooned from 14 stone to 18 stone. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. All were found guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Callum Wilson tops Newcastle United fan ratings in Southampton victory. The break-up of the USSR, they argue, has resulted in weakened or non-existent border checks and a gradual decline in law and order. Lynn, of Colby Court, Benwell, was jailed for 10 years. Paddy Conroy, 42, was found guilty of abducting and torturing a. suspected member of another gang in Newcastle's tough West End. They were all convicted by a jury following a trial and Kerry was jailed for six years, Thomas for six-and-a-half years and Charlotte was handed a three year sentence. He stored some drugs at the home of his father and used his father to drive him around. In the North-east and North-west of England the figure jumps to around 80 per cent. "Finney" begins with the murder of the patriarch of a criminal family, Patrick "Tucker" Finney. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Rob Armstrong is a successful businessman and entrepreneur from Newcastle. Jul 06, 2007 #21. when he lay dying outside on the pavement, he asks his friend to drag him to his feet saying 'I cant let them see me like this'. A feared gangster from Newcastle has been cleared of ordering the ride-by shooting of a bouncer because his son had been thrown out of a nightclub. Nixon then recruited Daniel Tait as his right-hand man as they moved large quantities of cocaine and deadly weapons around, supplying dealers lower down the chain in a business worth approaching 100,000 a day on occasions, Newcastle Crown Court heard. The final sanction used by Triads against anyone who fails to pay is to be chopped with a 14in beef knife. Mr Mitchell said the chats suggested they were supplying at least 12 sub-dealers and on one day the sum of just under 100,000 was mentioned. 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