A part of crime that fascinates me is the solving of long forgotten cases. In the USA, many Police forces have what are known as "Cold Case" squads, who investigate long dead cases,. Just like the TV show "New Tricks" One case in this country which I can find no information about, is the murder of a garage owner in Birmingham, around 1978. He was found in a burnt out garage, but it was only when a post- mortem discovered that he had been shot through the forehead. This was then regarded as a gangland hit. The newspaper reports at the time said that the Police were investigating the deceased's ` background for any possible criminal links. All I remember is that the deceased garage owner was named Fred, but do not know if the crime was ever solved.
Locally, there were four unsolved murders in Bradford, up to the 60`s. One was a young girl in 1938 in Little Horton Green, Taxi driver Harry Graham, murdered outside Bierley Church in his cab, in 1944, Garner Street in 1955, and a woman in Bowling Park in 1963. The Harry Graham murder was featured in a true crime magazine.
Sunday, 7 October 2012
The Bank Job Film
It is remarkable that certain elements in films based on true events, are broadcast as fact. One recent film that is based on a true crime with elements of it peddled as fact is "The Bank Job" This was a raid on a bank in London in 1971, where the villains tunneled into it over a weekend, and a story sprung out, that the villains found highly compromising photographs of Princess Margaret were found. The film portrays the villains as being allowed to get away Scot-free, in order to avoid a huge scandal. I regard this as total bullshit.
Let us start with a few facts. Firstly, the robbers DID NOT get away with it. They were quickly apprehended and all were jailed. That destroys that tale. In the film, a Jamaican called Michael X somehow comes into possession of the photos, and Michael X is portrayed as a gangster. Again, this is totally untrue. As John O`Connor, the head of the Flying Squad at the time, said, that Michael X was never more than a small-time drug pusher and hustler. He also stated that X never had a safety deposit box at that bank. Why would he? He was strictly a nobody. The only claim to fame he had was that in 1975, he was back in Jamaica, committed a murder and was subsequently hanged for it. Jamaica still had the death penalty at that time. No doubt this was another subversion of the truth by the Government. Sure! Four years after the job.
Let us continue. George Mcindoe, the film`s producer, claimed that a "D" notice was served on the press to gag them. What is a "D" Notice? It is NOT a government order. It is simply a request to keep things quiet, particularly in sensitive Police operations. Certainly, there has been a flood of old journalists coming forward to state that the Government and the Police issued an official warning of silence over this affair. Actually, there has n `t.
Now we turn our attention to Mcindoe himself and his claims. He claims that he was introduced to the actual robbers, through criminal acquaintances, and that they showed him the photos. Now, do you believe that villains who pulled a highly elaborate and lucrative robbery, are simply going to say to a total stranger, "Hi there. We pulled off this blag and look at these pictures of Margaret being shagged!" Of course you are free to believe this, and that all and sundry knew who pulled the job, which would naturally come to the attention of informers, who would immediately pass this on to their Police handlers,because this would boost their credibility skywards. And then, what about the rest of the Underworld? Would they simply stand by and allow others with highly incriminating and profitable photos? Would they be moving in on the robbers, take the photos, and then carry out the next logical step? That is, to eliminate these people. Two gangs of villains can keep a secret if one is wiped out.
It was claimed that the robbers "Did not know what to do" with these pictures. Really? The best "Get out of jail" card you could possibly possess? Photos that could net you fortune sold around the continent and the USA! There is actually a reasonable explanation for alleged photos. At the time, blackmail was a highly profitable business, and where else could blackmailers leave their wares in safety! That`s right. A safety deposit box! To finish off, John O`Connor interviewed the men and asked about any supposed photos, as this was being spoken about a lot. The villains denied all knowledge of them, stating that it was a made up story. So much for the best "Get out of jail free" cards. What do you think?
Let us start with a few facts. Firstly, the robbers DID NOT get away with it. They were quickly apprehended and all were jailed. That destroys that tale. In the film, a Jamaican called Michael X somehow comes into possession of the photos, and Michael X is portrayed as a gangster. Again, this is totally untrue. As John O`Connor, the head of the Flying Squad at the time, said, that Michael X was never more than a small-time drug pusher and hustler. He also stated that X never had a safety deposit box at that bank. Why would he? He was strictly a nobody. The only claim to fame he had was that in 1975, he was back in Jamaica, committed a murder and was subsequently hanged for it. Jamaica still had the death penalty at that time. No doubt this was another subversion of the truth by the Government. Sure! Four years after the job.
Let us continue. George Mcindoe, the film`s producer, claimed that a "D" notice was served on the press to gag them. What is a "D" Notice? It is NOT a government order. It is simply a request to keep things quiet, particularly in sensitive Police operations. Certainly, there has been a flood of old journalists coming forward to state that the Government and the Police issued an official warning of silence over this affair. Actually, there has n `t.
Now we turn our attention to Mcindoe himself and his claims. He claims that he was introduced to the actual robbers, through criminal acquaintances, and that they showed him the photos. Now, do you believe that villains who pulled a highly elaborate and lucrative robbery, are simply going to say to a total stranger, "Hi there. We pulled off this blag and look at these pictures of Margaret being shagged!" Of course you are free to believe this, and that all and sundry knew who pulled the job, which would naturally come to the attention of informers, who would immediately pass this on to their Police handlers,because this would boost their credibility skywards. And then, what about the rest of the Underworld? Would they simply stand by and allow others with highly incriminating and profitable photos? Would they be moving in on the robbers, take the photos, and then carry out the next logical step? That is, to eliminate these people. Two gangs of villains can keep a secret if one is wiped out.
It was claimed that the robbers "Did not know what to do" with these pictures. Really? The best "Get out of jail" card you could possibly possess? Photos that could net you fortune sold around the continent and the USA! There is actually a reasonable explanation for alleged photos. At the time, blackmail was a highly profitable business, and where else could blackmailers leave their wares in safety! That`s right. A safety deposit box! To finish off, John O`Connor interviewed the men and asked about any supposed photos, as this was being spoken about a lot. The villains denied all knowledge of them, stating that it was a made up story. So much for the best "Get out of jail free" cards. What do you think?
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
The Blogging Game
Whilst we are all going mad on our own personal blogspots, it is sobering to think that it can be viewed as more than a hobby or past-time. One of the most popular Police blogs was "Coppersblog" which has now closed down. It was not very well received by the hierarchy of the Police because it unfortunately told the truth about Law and Order. Another popular blog was "Nightjack" This was witten by a ranking officer. But, lo and behold, a heroic journalist set out to expose this heinous officer. He relentlessly delved until he unearthed the name and rank of "Nightjack" It turned out that it was a DI from a Lancashire Force. He was hauled across the coals and the site shut down. Wow!! What a hero! He really showed his true journalistic skills by almost losing a dedicated cop his job and pension. He must be so proud!!
I am not sure if this was the same journalist who uncovered, through blackmail, itself a sickening and illegal measure, just who the "Girl with the one track mind" was. This anonymous blog and book was written by "Abby Lee" The blog was a no holds barred account of her sex life. Just who was this liberated woman? Our hero had to find out. He "acquired" her "co-operation" by threatening to reveal all to her mother and having her mothers` photo splashed all over his newspaper. This kind of blackmail was not a crime because it did not involve money. Again, what a hero! The identity of the "Girl with the one track mind" was revealed as one Zoe Margolis.
I am not sure if this was the same journalist who uncovered, through blackmail, itself a sickening and illegal measure, just who the "Girl with the one track mind" was. This anonymous blog and book was written by "Abby Lee" The blog was a no holds barred account of her sex life. Just who was this liberated woman? Our hero had to find out. He "acquired" her "co-operation" by threatening to reveal all to her mother and having her mothers` photo splashed all over his newspaper. This kind of blackmail was not a crime because it did not involve money. Again, what a hero! The identity of the "Girl with the one track mind" was revealed as one Zoe Margolis.
Gone but will never be forgotten - unfortunately!
Recently, there was the passing of a very notorious Bradford criminal. This was none other than Donald Neilson, otherwise known as "The Black Panther" Back in the mid-70`s, he was committing many burglaries and also a number of armed robberies. He then went on to cold-bloodedly murder three men during the course of his robberies. He also brutally pistol-whipped the wife of one of his victims, almost beating her to death. He then committed the crime that shook the nation. He kidnapped a teenage girl and held her to ransom. His plot fell apart and he murdered his helpless victim. He claimed it was an accident. Neilson spent thirty five years in jail for the crimes he perpetrated.
The sickening thing was that some people campaigned for his release, saying that he had served more than enough time for his crimes. Obviously, to these fucknuts, his victims did not amount to much. But fate came to the rescue and Neilson died behind bars. One of the Police Officers who arrested Neilson, during an attempt by Neilson to kill him and his partner, did have something to say about him. He described him as the most dangerous man he has ever faced in his whole life. This would not mean much to the professional apologists, whom only have one goal in life, and this is to excuse the actions of vicious scum.
The sickening thing was that some people campaigned for his release, saying that he had served more than enough time for his crimes. Obviously, to these fucknuts, his victims did not amount to much. But fate came to the rescue and Neilson died behind bars. One of the Police Officers who arrested Neilson, during an attempt by Neilson to kill him and his partner, did have something to say about him. He described him as the most dangerous man he has ever faced in his whole life. This would not mean much to the professional apologists, whom only have one goal in life, and this is to excuse the actions of vicious scum.
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Dreamworld Pt 2
Welcome to part two of "Dreamworld" Let us start this piece with a switch in continents. We now go to Australia, and that "King of the Underworld" Mark Brandon Read, or as he is better known, "Chopper." Read is credited in his books as committing 19 murders. This would make him a mass murderer, but, alas, this is not true. He has been involved in some murders. It seems to be four, which is bad enough, but the claim of 19 has apparently been shot down, it seems from his own mouth. Underworld people in Melbourne have also rubbished many of his claims, and it has been said that he has simply immersed himself into other people`s stories.
Another feature of Reads` stories is that every villain in Australia is a complete wanker in comparison to him and his cronies. Read made a reputation as a "Standover Man." What this meant is that Read never committed robberies and the like, he robbed the villains of their ill-gotten gains. In Britain, this would have earned him the monicker of "A Thief`s Ponce." Well known thieves ponces here included, The Krays, Brian Cockerill, Lee Duffy & Stephen French.
Another feature of Reads` stories is that every villain in Australia is a complete wanker in comparison to him and his cronies. Read made a reputation as a "Standover Man." What this meant is that Read never committed robberies and the like, he robbed the villains of their ill-gotten gains. In Britain, this would have earned him the monicker of "A Thief`s Ponce." Well known thieves ponces here included, The Krays, Brian Cockerill, Lee Duffy & Stephen French.
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Dreamworld
When one has read a number of the fanciful "true" stories of various villains, usually from London, it seems that just when will somebody be completely truthful, no matter what. Let us start with that old gang boss, Jack Spot. He claimed that he led the "Battle of Cable Street" with the Blackshirts of Oswald Mosley in the East End of London in 1936. The truth is, this battle never took place. The only film footage you will see, is small skirmishes between Police and left-wing agitators. Many other tales have been contradicted by others. Author Wensley Clarkson, in his biography of Spot, gives a detailed account of this "battle." This showed, unfortunately, how little research he did, giving the view that James Morton's ` biog of Spot gave specific attempts to find evidence of this "battle."
How about the fantasy world of "Kray gang boss" Tony Lambrianou? The tales he told of how he and his brother "with the Kray name behind us" were going to "take over" a number of major cities in England. he mentions Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester, Stoke, Bristol and Plymouth. "We were connected to London teams. Who was going to stand up to us," he boasted. It seems that outside London, nothing existed. I could just imagine if at that particular time, huge and tough doormen like Dennis and Ted Turner would have been gnashing their nails in sheer terror, "Oh my god, it`s the Lambrianou Brothers with the Kray name behind them. Who is going to stand up to them? We are so frightened and helpless." Yeah right. Plus, all the other villains and tough nuts, would they have crumbled so easily? you guessed it. Considering he thought he was such a big villain, it comes as no surprise to know that when he and his brother were arrested over the Mcvitie murder, in Birmingham in 1968, he went along very quietly. How do I know? I have seen covertly taken photos of the two of them being brought out of the hotel by seven CID officers. And they were not all young bruisers! The photos now belong to an author that I have acquaintance with. As they say about "The X-Files" the truth is out there.
How about the fantasy world of "Kray gang boss" Tony Lambrianou? The tales he told of how he and his brother "with the Kray name behind us" were going to "take over" a number of major cities in England. he mentions Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Leicester, Stoke, Bristol and Plymouth. "We were connected to London teams. Who was going to stand up to us," he boasted. It seems that outside London, nothing existed. I could just imagine if at that particular time, huge and tough doormen like Dennis and Ted Turner would have been gnashing their nails in sheer terror, "Oh my god, it`s the Lambrianou Brothers with the Kray name behind them. Who is going to stand up to them? We are so frightened and helpless." Yeah right. Plus, all the other villains and tough nuts, would they have crumbled so easily? you guessed it. Considering he thought he was such a big villain, it comes as no surprise to know that when he and his brother were arrested over the Mcvitie murder, in Birmingham in 1968, he went along very quietly. How do I know? I have seen covertly taken photos of the two of them being brought out of the hotel by seven CID officers. And they were not all young bruisers! The photos now belong to an author that I have acquaintance with. As they say about "The X-Files" the truth is out there.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Historical Crime
There are quite a number of historical crime books that provide much information about what life was like in the "Good old days". There is a long running series about foul deeds in all major cities and towns, but now books have emerged about the scuttling gangs in Liverpool, Manchester, and other cities.
Gangs of Liverpool, Tearaways (About Liverpool), Gangs of Manchester, Gangs of Birmingham, Nottingham, etc. Choc full of info on the various gangs and the areas they operated, all well worth the read.
Gangs of Liverpool, Tearaways (About Liverpool), Gangs of Manchester, Gangs of Birmingham, Nottingham, etc. Choc full of info on the various gangs and the areas they operated, all well worth the read.
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