Showing results by author "Steve Wraith" in All Categories

Operation Sayers takes a detailed look at the notorious Sayers brothers' rise to the top of the criminal ladder on the backstreets of Newcastle’s West End and the authorities' attempts to bring them crashing back down to earth by any means necessary.

Brian Cockerill and Lee Duffy were individually forces to be reckoned with. But the day they decided to team up, they became unstoppable. This is the true story of the Taxmen of Teesside, the only book with input from members of the Duffy family.

Coming from a huge close-knit family of street traders long before it was legalized, Stephen Sayers spent his early years on the barrows, witnessing constant brushes with the law. Aunties and uncles were frequently incarcerated and a hatred and distrust of authority swelled within the younger members of the family.

Britain's most notorious twins – Ron and Reg Kray – rose through the ranks of the underworld to become the most feared and legendary gangsters in London. Their escalating mayhem culminated in murder, for which the brothers received life sentences in 1969. While incarcerated, they received letters from a schoolboy from Tyneside, Steve Wraith, who had grown fascinated by their story. Eventually, Steve visited them in prison and a friendship formed. The Twins hired Steve as an unofficial advisor, which brought him close to more members of the crime family.

Unfinished Business was an idea conceived between Paul Ferris and writing partner Reg McKay. When Reg passed away in 2009, Paul got on with his life. A film The Wee Man was based on one of his books and released in 2013. Three years later, a new alliance was formed between Paul and true crime writers Stuart Wheatman and Steve Wraith, and the idea was reimagined. Paul wanted to pay tribute to Reg while revisiting the notion that he still had things he wanted to say.

Paul Massey was gunned down on his doorstep on the July 26, 2015. He left behind a devastated family to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. This book is a frank and honest account of Paul’s life, and paints a colourful picture of the loveable family man from Salford. There is an in depth look at some of Paul’s trials and tribulations and tributes from family, friends, and celebrity associates such as Peter Hook, Bez, and Bruce Jones.

The Word On Blakes 7 is a podcast looking back at the BBC science fiction classic from the 70's and 80's.