A look at some of London’s most notorious serial killers

London, it’s fair to say, harbours a dark relationship with serial killers but, in order for us to know their names they did, eventually make mistakes leading to their capture. Those of them known to us, anyhow. One exception is, of course, Jack the Ripper. DNA wasn’t around during his time, and one has to wonder if the resolution of that case might have been different if it was. Read on for a little more insight.

Our capital encompasses a grizzly history on many levels. Streets both sides of the river Thames were poverty-stricken and, and police were baffled with the ever-increasing numbers of missing persons. With the lack of technology, they’ve become accustomed to today, the police grew ever reliant upon complacency of the culprits. Complacency is still a factor, but in today’s world the science helps.

Here are a few ‘first mistakes’ from some infamous serial killers.

Amelia Dyer was born in 1837 and died in 1896 in Newgate Prison. She was a woman that would cause distress to most. Also known as The Baby Farmer she is thought to have killed hundreds of babies given up for adoption with the belief she would care for them. Accepting upfront payment and a box of clothes that were destined for the pawnbrokers, she would then tie tape or cord around the infants necks, before depositing their bodies in the Thames. Cruelly telling the parents, many of whom expected to reclaim their babies once in a better position to look after them, that all was fine.

Dyer’s first mistake was to wrap a baby’s corpse in brown paper that identified her by giving an address. When the ‘package’ was found floating in the Thames, it gave the police enough evidence to place Dyer under surveillance.

Thomas Neill Cream, better known as The Lambeth Poisoner, was a physician and surgeon, who fled to America after the woman he’d been having an affair with was found dead in an alleyway close to his offices in 1879. She was pregnant and had been poisoned with chloroform. Once in America Cream claimed four more lives. Interestingly his wife had died in 1876, her cause of death recorded as ‘consumption’ at the time. Cream returned to London, settling in Lambeth Bridge Road (1891) and within one year four prostitutes had died after accepting drinks from him. These drinks were laced with strychnine. It was later believed Cream had murdered his wife.

Cream’s first mistake was to offer an American visitor a tour of where the victims had lived and met their fate, doing so with detailed knowledge. After the tourist mentioned this to the police, they placed him under surveillance.

Mary Pearcey was convicted of murdering her lover’s wife, Phoebe Hobb and her daughter in October 1890 and hanged in December of the same year. After inviting them into her home, she bludgeoned the woman to death and smothered her eighteen-month-old baby daughter. Although its unknown if the daughter was alive or if Pearcey was transporting a corpse she used the woman’s pram to dispose of the bodies that she dumped under rubbish in Hampstead. In addition, Pearce was suspected of being a serial killer as it was thought, perhaps, she could have been Jill the Ripper. She was the only female suspected of being the notorious Jack the Ripper at the time.

Pearcey’s first mistake was to have the audacity to push the pram around the streets of London, using it to dispose of her murder victims. Passersby noted her strange behaviour and called the police, who found blood in her home. With regard to the Ripper case, DNA was used in 2006 to analyse the stamps used to post the letters in the Jack the Ripper case; it was concluded that they were licked by a woman.

John Christie, or The Rillington Place Murderer, started his murdering spree in April 1943 after meeting an Austrian prostitute. Christie was married to wife, Ethel but this didn’t deter him taking the prostitute back to his flat, as she was visiting friends. Christie murdered and buried the prostitute in their back garden. During a ten-year period, Christie killed at lease eight people that included the wife and baby daughter of Timothy Evans. Evans was their neighbour in an adjoining flat. Police searched, and failed to find the bodies initially, but on a second search arrested Evans for the crime. Christie gave evidence against Evans in court, resulting in his conviction and subsequent hanging in 1950. Sixteen years later, Evans was pardoned after Christie admitted to these murders, and the others he committed.

Christie’s first mistake was to rent out his flat. The new tenants attempted to hang a bracket on a wall, revealing a hidden alcove—the wallpaper gave way revealing three bodies stacked inside.

Dennis Nilsen is London’s most recent serial killer and certainly one of the most prolific. Taking at least twelve lives, he lured men back to his flat in Muswell Hill between 1978-1983. Choosing his victims for their vulnerability, mostly were homeless or lonely homosexuals. His motivations were sexually motivated. Admitting to sexually pleasuring himself after their killing had taken place, Nilsen had a macabre fascination of changing their bodies during death. Bathing, cleaning, and dressing them would be part of his routine before leaving them in his flat for weeks or months after the event.

After boring with them, he’d dissect their flesh (which would be putrid by then) from the bones before burning it on a bonfire or flushing it down the toilet.

Nilsen’s first mistake was to call a drain cleaning company after he and other residents noticed they were getting blocked drains. The engineer noticed flesh-like substance inside, and small bones. Nilsen even commented to him that it looked like someone was flushing their KFC away.

© Donna Siggers (2023) The moral right of Donna Siggers to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.

Again and again, I ask “Who can you trust”? This is the overriding theme in my crime trilogy THE WARWICK COOPER THRILLERS and that stems from true life experience. Is it any wonder it took me nineteen years and eleven months to receive a crime reference, being turned away time and time again by the police before that happened? Is it any wonder the crime committed against me wasn’t recognised when so many of our police force are out there doing the same atrocious acts themselves?

Former head of the police watchdog, Chief Michael Lockwood (64), stepped down last December for ‘personal and domestic reasons’. He was actually being investigated for rape and indecent assault. The ex-police watchdog director general has now been charged with raping a girl under sixteen and indecent assault.

The position that Lockwood held handles the most serious complaints against police in England and Wales, the BBC reported.

Lockwood is far from alone.

With thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, I made a specific request for data from the Metropolitan Police (please note this isn’t national police statistics-only London’s Met) and the revaluations were with me almost immediately. Four years of shocking behaviour recorded by our Met against serving police officers and staff—what I’d like to know is who turns a blind eye, who is responsible for bystander intervention? Moreover, how many went unreported, and thus undetected, in this timeframe?

Before downloading the document there was a ton of information. The Met told me they employ 40,000 officers and staff (like that dampens down their stats in some way). Not. They did add that some officers would be counted twice due to offences being in differing categories. They also said that tables two (sexual assaults excluding rape) and three (rape) totalled together made up the true quantity of sexual assaults. Make up your mind! If officers hadn’t have committed the offences, then they wouldn’t need counting. Rape is an offence. Sexual Assault is an offence. Sexual harassment is an offence. Stalking is an offence. Indecent exposure is an offence. They all count. Period.

On this page of ‘information’ I was informed that they [the Met] expected “highest standards from its employees”. At no point was trust mentioned. I’m sure all these perpetrators of sex crimes, harassment and stalking are perfectly well equipped at solving crime, simply because they’re pretty good at covering it up. To have been caught, how long have they been carrying out these actions? How many victims are really involved and unwilling to come forward—lost in the depths of despair of their trauma?

Having statistics on this one section of society gives us a small insight into what I’d describe as a pandemic of deviant behaviour. These are people who have pledged to serve the public to protect and yet they feel they are above the law they are representing, and alleged to be upholding.

Let’s take a look at just how many officers we're talking about. I suggest you hold onto your hats because what I’ve already shared is shocking enough. The following is truly sickening and I've extracted it from a spreadsheet entitled ‘Conduct Matters and Public Complaints ‘

Between January 2019 and February 2022 a devastating 73 officers were accused of sexual harassment. Of these 5 have been suspended; 1 dismissed; 61 cases are outstanding; and 65 of those officers are still serving.

Between January 2019 and February 2022 a staggering 239 officers were accused of sexual assault (excluding rape). 13 of these were suspended; only 3 dismissed; 146 cases are outstanding; and 204 of these officers are still serving.

Between January 2019 and February 2022 a sobering 50 officers were accused of stalking. 4 were suspended; 1 was dismissed; 36 cases are outstanding; and 38 officers are still serving.

Between January 2019 and February 2022 a revolting 6 officers were accused of indecent exposure. None were suspended; none were dismissed. No cases are outstanding; and four officers are still serving.

Wayne Couzens in among these statistics for indecent exposure (I assume as the dates fit). He exposed himself at a member of staff at a drive through McDonalds in Kent on 14 and 27^th February 2021. There was a botched police investigation by Samantha Lee, as reported by The Guardian (18^th May 2023) into this. Couzens went on to abduct Sarah Everard on 3^rd March 2021 while she walked home in South London to the Brixton Hill area, by showing her his warrant card. She was handcuffed and placed in his car, driven to Dover where she was raped and strangled. Her body was burned, and her remains were disposed of in a nearby pond. According to news articles, Samantha Lee, a former PC for the Met, has been barred for life after her botched investigation into Couzens' 'flashing' case.

With this in mind how can the Met warrant having 135 outstanding cases over the period that covers these statistics during 2019 and 2020 and 226 during the period 2021 and 2022. This is an outrageous total of 321 outstanding cases. This revelation is shocking given that one flasher kidnapped and murdered—and he was one of their own who had been reported and not handled.

the Statistical Evidence

Deviance or the sociology of deviance explores the actions (and/or) behaviours that violate social norms across formally enacted rules as well as informal violations of social norms. They can be categorised as formal deviance and informal deviance. Formal deviance is better known as crime, which violates laws in society. Informal deviance consists of minor violations breaking unwritten rules of social life. Norms that have great moral significance are ‘mores’. Under informal deviance, a more opposes societal taboos.

‘Taboo’ is a strong social form of behaviour considered deviant by the majority. Traditionally to speak of taboo subjects publicly was condemmed. Society is far more open to discussion in today’s world. Thankfully. Some forms of ‘taboo’ are forbidden under law and transgressions may lead to severe penalties, whereas other forms may lead to shame, disrespect, and humiliation. Some examples are murder, rape, incest, and child molestation.

Let’s now talk about the television presenter, Philip Schofield and make a comparison between him and his brother, Timothy Schofield.

After his rise to prominence as a children’s television presenter (that worries me) Phillip Schofield (61) continued his television career by presenting a wide range of programmes for both the BBC and ITV. These programmes included Going Live, This Morning, Dancing on Ice, All Star Mr & Mrs, and The Cube. He was also an actor and played leading roles in the musicals Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Doctor Dolittle. His career spanned from 1985 until 2003.

In 1993 he married. His wife and Schofield went on to have two children (girls) in what appeared to be a mutually ‘normal’ marriage. This marriage lasted twenty-seven years—until Schofield announced he was gay, in 2020. The couple divorced that same year.

Three years on (2023) Schofield has announced, after denying it to ITV’s management, work colleagues and to the public, that he had an affair with a young male ITV employee while he was still married. He first met his young lover when he was just 15 years old, that their relationship was communication regarding careers and a job. The man gained work experience with ITV at 19 and then applied as a runner for ITV and 20, securing the job, which is when he and Schofield first encountered sexual contact. This was in Schofield’s dressing room.

Philip Schofield has resigned from ITV and was dropped by the talent agency that had represented him for 35 years. He has also been removed as an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust (let’s face it the Royals have enough on their place with Prince Andrew). Despite Philip Schofield claiming that no sexual activity took place between himself and the younger man when rumours began circulating previously. He has ensured, through interviews that at no point was grooming a part of his criteria.

This same year (2023) Schofield’s brother, Timothy Schofield (54), has been found guilty of sexual offences against a teenage boy. The former civilian Avon and Somerset police worker watched pornography with the boy (who he claimed was over 16 at the time) and masturbated while seated apart. A statement from the boy for the trial alleged the abuse began at the age of thirteen. He claims he was “emotionally blackmailed” and “forced” to participate in sexual activity. Revealed during his trial was that Timothy had told Philip ‘some’ detail of the offences in September 2021; rather than reporting them to the police, Philip suggested to his brother that he seek help from a doctor.

Philip Schofield, at the time of his brother, Timothy’s, sentencing made a public display of claiming that he denounced having a brother.

One rule for one and another rule for the other brother?

Deviant behaviour is just that, deviant. It matters not the power you hold—or think you might hold—over others. Laws are set in place for the protection of others. Societal norms are there as ‘unspoken guides’ to allow everyone to be safe.

There lays the issue. We don’t speak enough of what is ‘normal’ and what is not. We are not necessarily taught how to say ‘no’ without feeling guilty and that is when the deviant strikes with their gradual manipulative ways. They feed, slowly until they get under you skin and you feel there is no escape.

There isn’t really a great deal of difference between these two brothers—one just took it further than the other.

Suzy Lamplugh disappeared in 1986 while at work. She was an Estate Agent. Her parents Paul and Diana set up The Suzy Lamplugh Trust to raise awareness about personal safety and to reduce the risk of violence and aggression for those most at risk, in her memory to be able to help others be, and fell safe. Ms Lamplugh was officially declared dead, presumed murdered in 1993—her last known appointment was at a house in Shorrolds Road with a client to whom she referred to as Mr Kipper. The case remains unsolved.

Standing Against Stalking: Supporting Young People is the theme for this year’s National Stalking Awareness Week (2023). The focus is on 16-24 year olds and how to better support young victims. According to the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, who carried out an online pilot survey to explore the experiences of this age range, 77% of respondents to their survey had experienced at least one repeated harmful behaviour considered consistent with stalking. This figure rises to 87% when the parameters of respondents are focused on the respondents identifying as female, non-binary or other. The Trust states that 84% of respondents had experienced behaviours consistent with stalking online behaviours in comparison with 70% experiencing in-person behaviours.

The Trust continues to state that 42% of their respondents had experienced repeatedly being touched in ways that made them feel uncomfortable as a part of a continuum of behaviours consistent with stalking. Again this increased (to 47%) when the parameters were moved to those identifying as female, non-binary or other in comparison to 25% of respondents who identified as male. 24% of respondents reported someone repeatedly threatening them online.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust highlight that repeated, unwanted behaviours consistent with stalking had some kind of harmful impact on the wellbeing of the respondents. Alarmingly 33% of the respondents felt like the behaviour was their fault, 15% reported they harmed themselves as a result. Only 28% of respondents had considered that the behaviours they experienced might be stalking while fewer than half of respondents who spoke to someone felt they had been helpful.

Before I continue with my next reference to attitudes to stalking, I’d like to share my view on parts of the above research. There is a massive difference between stalking and assault. The Trust has alluded to ‘42% of their respondents had experienced repeatedly being touched in ways that made them feel uncomfortable as a part of a continuum of behaviours consistent with stalking’. I don’t buy that. That’s a step beyond stalking—that is assault. When a stalker is getting that close they can touch, there is a huge issue and they have escalated their behaviour beyond following. This is a dangerous situation.

A matter that boils my blood is the attitude of the police force towards the seriousness of stalking. It is estimated that 85,000 women and 12,000 men (aged 16-59) experience rape, attempted rape or sexual assault by penetration in England and Wales alone every year, that is roughly 11 of the most serious sexual offences (of adults alone) every hour. Approximately 90% of those who are raped know the perpetrator prior to the offence (www.sosrs.org sourced 25/04/2023).

Let that sink in for a moment—most stalking victims also know their stalkers!

This brings me back to the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and their ‘Super-Complaint Submitted on Police Response to Stalking’. In brief, this complaint was submitted in 2022 which fell ten years after the stalking legislation was bought into force (2012 was the year my stalker stopped for it suddenly became illegal to continue it). The Trust, on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium found systemic issues in the response to staking across England and Wales—and that this placed many victims at risk. Just 5% of reports of stalking to the police in the year ending March 2022 resulted in a charge by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). It was concluded that a lack of understanding among officers as to what behaviours constitute stalking, as well as treating behaviours as single incidents as opposed to recognising the wider pattern of behaviour. The complaint highlighted that stalking was investigated as a low-level offence and was misidentified as harassment. This placed the crime on the wrong pathway within the criminal justice system.

It is my opinion that education is key and this still isn’t happening. In Kent (March 2021) the search for missing Sarah Everard commenced. She was found having been kidnapped and killed by a serving Metropolitan Police officer. This case was prime example of how crime escalating that goes unnoticed and unchecked can cause a catastrophic end. This officer was reported for exposing himself to a different woman much before he murdered Sarah, and it wasn’t taken seriously. Was he protected because he was a police officer? Or, perhaps the woman reporting the incident wasn’t believed? Maybe exposure isn’t deemed dangerous enough to act upon? In this case it was a propellant to a much more serious crime that could have been avoided. Sarah would still be alive if Wayne Couzens had of received psychological help or intervention from his superiors. At the very least he should have lost his job as he was still in a position of trust and that lost Sarah her life. 

Imagine if intervention is put in place for stalkers. If at least some can be stopped in their tracks.

Donna Siggers

Carlton Leach is fast becoming a regular guest on my Soul2Ink blog. It’s odd to think our worlds collided but due to our modern technological lives (Twitter) they did. Truth be known, I’d followed ‘the story’ for many years and when he wrote his version of events, I was keen to read them.

Despite our different backgrounds and career choices, there’s much common ground between us and I hope that’s reflected in the questions I’ve asked. It truly is my greatest privilege to be able to share this fantastic feature and insight with you and I thank Carlton both for his time and candidness.

Carlton, given your past reputation of being known as one of football’s ‘hard bustards’ in the terraces and in forming ICF, how does it make you feel that your first chapter of Carlton: The Final Say “Dad” creates so much humbleness and humanity among some of the toughest of men?

I’m not one of those guys who claims to be a founding member of something, but you are right Donna, I did run with the ICF in its infancy.

It’s lovely to hear you speak about that chapter in such a way to be honest, thank you! I’ve seen and heard a lot of feedback about that chapter in particular and it’s very touching because of course, that was probably the closest chapter to my heart and it was very difficult for me to put together.

In answer to your question; we’re all just humans, no matter what exterior any of us may have, be it genuine or a false persona, on the inside we all have feelings, we all have parents and childhood memories, and the beauty of a book is that when somebody is sat alone reading, they can’t lie to themselves! There’s nobody to impress or let down in your mind, so it’s hard not to feel something when you read that chapter.

Looking back to your football terrace days, to earning your reputation as a foot soldier and realising the thrill of conflict, have you ever considered your first ever addiction was to adrenaline and the danger that it placed you in, aside from the violence and all that followed?

In my much younger days I hardly drank [alcohol] or took drugs, so you’re spot on that my first addiction was violence and the adrenaline that accompanied it! It wasn’t until a while later during the rave years that I took drugs and later started to drink more. I might have had 1 or 2 bevvies on the odd occasion, but I didn’t need it to get me going; my love and passion was West Ham and my buzz was from the fighting!

Your writing within Muscle and The Final Say is startlingly different. Muscle is packed with testosterone but your latest book is from the heart and packed with emotion. How did you find the process of writing each book differed for you?

I’m at a very different stage in life now, it’s inevitable that everyone will mellow to a certain degree with age, whether that’s by conscious decision or because our bodies can’t take the shit we’re putting it through anymore! I suppose in my case it’s a little of both really. I was living in Spain for a few years (as you know because you’ve read the book!) and it gave me plenty of time for reflection. I kept busy out there, of course, but the power of the sun and the whole ‘being away from it all’ can do you wonders, and it led me to reflect upon my life a great deal, this was how The Final Say was born really, where as two decades ago when I wrote Muscle and life was crazy…100 miles per hour…I never really stopped to think never mind reflect! I suppose this is what came across to you and I’m glad it did to be honest.

One of your strengths, in my opinion, is your ability to strive within a sea of people wishing that you would drown. How do you keep yourself mentally prepared in order to diminish this negativity?

Thanks for the compliment Donna! Although I’ll be honest, there have been several times when I thought I was drowning and might not make it through, but I’m here today so I’ll be grateful for that! These days I notice people are looking for 1 specific miracle answer on how to get through adversity, but in my experience the solution can be found through a variety of things and often these things are already around us and don’t cost a thing. Most of us have family or friends that need or rely on us, or at the very least would miss us if we weren’t here tomorrow. Training is another excellent thing, be it boxing, weightlifting, football or tennis…sport is so good for our body and mind.

How about writing Donna? I imagine people who can write might find doing just that therapeutic and helpful in hard times!

At the time, when we’re going through some shit in our lives, we don’t necessarily realise that we could be having mental health issues, that’s why building good habits is important. I used to be into bodybuilding and boxing in a big way when I was much younger and I couldn’t train like that now if I wanted to, but I still try to have a routine that keeps me in as best shape as possible.

Like you Carlton, I find threats a challenge. Despite our very different backgrounds I know these challenges are met face on either alone or with those who stand beside us. With this in mind what does loyalty mean to you?

Loyalty is priceless, and like most high-value things in this life, it’s rare as fuck! As you know from the book, I have very few people left around me now that I had with me back in the day, and even fewer loyal people who came into my life in the past say 15-18 years.

For those who think loyalty, honour and respect are dead, I won’t entirely disagree with you, but try to think of loyalty like a good investment; it may not be worth much when you put it in, but most of the time it can pay out 100s of times over through the years. If we all tried that, the world would be a better place I’m sure.

Your rise to fame beyond football and the rave scene arrived through what has become a British Cult film. I am of course only talking about the first ROTFS film. Despite the negativity that came with the franchise for many, including yourself, has there been a positive side to this experience for you?

You seem to quite enjoy a Q&A session live on stage and as one of your guests I noted how comfortable you seemed with a microphone in your hand. Banter flowed seamlessly with the crowd and you were candid and humble with your responses to questions. Firstly, what made you turn to the stage? And secondly, how does it make you feel that people want to pay to hear you speak?

It was me who actually started the shows to promote the first film, that’s how the idea came about. I wanted get out and about, all over the UK and meet people who’d watched the film and enjoyed it. Once I realised that I’d likely never see a penny of the royalties from the film, I could have knocked the shows on the head, but enquiries kept coming in from venues and do to this day, and whilst I keep telling myself I can’t keep going on the road I do feel a sense of obligation, because if people want to meet and speak to me that much that they’re willing to buy a ticket and travel to the venue, then I should make the effort for as long as I can. Where you and I met in Cardiff, 1,000 people had bought tickets from the venue! To me that’s incredible and truly humbling, I am so grateful for the support I still receive so many years after Muscle and the film. I’m glad you enjoyed the show, that’s what people come out for after all!

Let’s face it, however many children and grandchildren we might have. However hard life has been. Gangster background, or not. A book is a ‘book baby’. They make us proud, all be that in a different way. How then did you, the little lad who dressed as Batman and jumped from his dad’s car across Gotham City feel, when yours started hitting the bestsellers lists all these years later?

[Laughs] Landmark moments with the books never cease to amaze me, from being asked to actually write Muscle in the first place, then to be told that it should be made into a film was incredible. When the film came out, the publishers updated Muscle and released it as a book by the same name as the film, then they had 50,000 hard back copies printed as a limited edition – it was only a few months later that they told me they’d sold out and I was once again left pretty bloody shocked at the thought of so many people wanting to read about my life.

‘CARLTON – The Final Say’ doesn’t have the luxury of a big publisher behind it like my other books, myself and my team handled the process ourselves and continue to promote it. Within 24 hours of release, it went to the number 1 spot in its category on Amazon, a moment I was exceptionally proud of! It speaks for itself when sales are still strong over a year on and I’m grateful to all who support me, people like yourself Donna, and people who take the time to leave a review or share the link with someone they know will like the book. The in-depth feedback we see about how The Final Say came across, resonated or was highly relatable to someone tells me that we must have done something right and I think what we’ve done with that book so far is brilliant!

I’ll give you a little exclusive here…but a few times I’ve had to go back and re-watch my interview with Nigel Farrage on GB News, because being invited onto a news channel during prime time to speak about life and my book is a great achievement.

Carlton, both of us have looked death in the face too many times for comfort. What keeps you focused on tomorrow when it’s not promised?

At times I wasn’t focused on tomorrow to be honest, I was in the moment and didn’t give a fuck! There have also been times when dropping out early wasn’t an option out of sheer stubbornness and not giving haters the satisfaction! But it’s been my family that kept me going for the most part.

Finally, I cannot pass on asking about your time with Nigel Benn and can’t even begin to imagine the impact it had on your psyche walking him out to the ring and spending time with him. What for you was the most impactful memory between you both?

Those were crazy times, proper enjoyable! So many people have told me over the years that they’d give their right arm to go back and do what I done there. The best memories and feelings I have from those days were my shared experiences with Tony [Tucker], they can never be denied or taken away from me.

Thank you for the chat Donna, keeping doing what you do!

THE FINAL SAY on Amazon via this link

After reading Carlton’s book “The Final Say” I wasn’t left feeling he’d threatened national security, territorial integrity, or public safety. Instead he spoke of his life and perspectives on matters that affected it. With regards to health matters, he spoke of his own family for all of this is his right. It’s also the right of a man to convey a story—his version of events—the way they unfolded for him and for this to happen with the help of a co-author.

This right, the right to tell your story through your co-author—and in this case it’s Jason Allday—is ruffling some feathers. Let’s face facts, books like this often do. Freedom of speech coming at a price when someone doesn’t want you to have a voice. Protection of health or morals, and the protection of the reputation of others are the final aspects of the Human Rights Act 1998 that allow us freedom of speech—the same act that allows others their say on the same subject in question.

Whatever your views on how anyone has lived out their past, this is my view… books such as Carlton’s are a valuable source of social history without which a large chunk of society is lost if events are not recorded. Within the pages we learn of social change, injustice, triumph, grief, and all manner of concepts that wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the foresight it takes in putting pen to page. That takes courage.

An event that took place in 1995 is of course at the epicentre of yet more controversy, something that surely needs placing to rest or investing by an independent police force team if the first haven’t done the investigation justice. Not an investigation that’s needed to be carried by an author I’ll not name here—nor should he be silencing anyone who voices differing perceptions to his own. Perceptions that differ to the official investigations and to his original views I might add.

I’m of course talking about the Rettendon murders—also branded the Range Rover killings and the Essex Boy murders or however else it may have been phrased over the years. Carlton, my apologies for dragging this up but some of my readers will not know the history of this case:

Three friends, Tony Tucker, Patrick Tate and Craig Rolfe were shot, execution style in a gateway along Workhouse Lane in Rettendon in Essex on 6^th December 1995. This had followed the death of a young girl from Latchingdon (also in Essex and not far from this scene) after taking ecstasy. Leah Betts fell into a coma, her ex-police officer father shared photographs of her across the news and other media which touched the hearts of the nation. At the first inquest for Leah’s death it was found that due to the amount of water she had consumed she’d slipped into a coma. Subsequently, at a further inquest it was concluded that Leah would have survived either the water consumption or the ecstasy alone but not the combination. She died on 17^th November, less than a month before the three friends were found dead in the Range Rover.

Rumours soured through the press and it wasn’t long before these two events were linked. It was at this time (and not before) that the “Essex Boys” gained their notorious name for this wasn’t how they were known when they were alive.

 What we must ask is why should silence be an option? What could possibly have been said in “The Final Say” that’s so upsetting to one person to elicit legal action against Jason Allday—not the person who was friends with one of the murdered men, but the man to whom Carlton entrusted his story and who put that pen to the page. That makes no sense to me.

Desperate times indeed. Why the need to silence this book? That gets me asking some serious questions.

Terry Ellis is the first to be featured twice on my Soul2Ink blog, not only am I an avid supporter of his writing but am also proud of the man he’s become. Stuck within a negative cycle Terry had found himself in trouble from an early age, nurtured into believing that to thieve and earn a living from crime was perfectly fine as long as you didn’t get caught. At a young age a brick missile split open his head, giving him concussion which changed his personality (and that’s most definitely a reality I can relate to). Such physical trauma can change us, for Terry he no longer felt pain and had no filter on certain emotions, such anger. This was catalyst to how a young boy’s life would manifest alongside the behaviour he had already learnt. Terry’s own mother took him shop lifting and ordered him through factory windows to pass out to her what she required from within in order to sell their loot at bingo—this concept worked for her as long as Terry didn’t get caught. Money, he managed to earn on his own criminal activities with mates wasn’t turned away back home either. Terry was under the care of a social worker and when he became too difficult to handle and had run out of chances with them his mother abandoned her son and left him at a children’s home where he’d get regular beatings from the offset.

All this happened before Terry was twelve years old.

Moving from one children’s institution to the next became a way of life—as did standing before a judge. Eventually Terry was forced into the countryside far from his beloved Camden. Ironically, among the country bumkins as he calls them (and I qualify as one of those) he settled down—but not until they accepted school wasn’t going to be a part of his routine. Unfortunately, it fell apart when Terry’s young girlfriend became pregnant and he had no choice but to move back to London, where he lived in a flat with lads much older than himself.

Its here he discovered dole money wasn’t enough and the glory of armed robbery was both encouraged and gave Terry an adrenaline lift. A lift he became addicted to, it seems. I know from my own experiences that you can never quite fulfil that first adrenaline hit for the trouble with that naturally produced chemical is that the first can never be repeated and you’re left forever chasing it. The risks need to be higher in order to reach you needs—its no different to other addictions and Terry has beaten those too.

I’ll not detail the criminality leading up the Verizon “job” or the various holidays at Her Majesty’s pleasure that Terry talks you through in his book, for I’d actually like you to read his book! Instead, I want to share a personal experience that will embed this story into my memory forever.

David Last, Donna Siggers and Terry Ellis outside the Verizon Building
(photo credits to Anna)
Buy Verizon here

Between Christmas 2021 and the New Year Dave and I spent time in London. At short notice we met up with Terry and his lovely partner, Anna for a cuppa. They whisked us of separately for slightly different tours before we met back up outside the Verizon building in Camden. Terry walked us around the vast building, sharing with us detailed explanations of how they planned and executed what became branded Camden’s own ‘Oceans Eleven’ robbery. This brazen act saw them walking away with an incredible £5m worth of data chips and £100m in data.

There were no guns involved. Just men in [fake] blue and their dogs.

One of the many things I like about Terry is that he doesn’t hide from his past—he owns it in a way that helps others find the right path. He found that for himself through a programme at Grendon Prison, his book on that was the first ever feature on the Soul2ink blog that you can read right here.

by Donna Siggers

Living a full life is important to me as trauma has touched my psyche too many times to count, and has done so on deep and personal levels. Approaching the launch of my new book I’m going to be addressing some subjects over the next few weeks that are, shockingly, a part of many people’s lives. I do so with the intention to uplift the spirit of anyone going through the torment of each given subject and hope that it gives them strength. 

Unfortunately, being stalked has formed a part of my past. Unwanted attention curtailing the freedom of another person to the point they are left feeling in a constant need of being careful is a good description of stalking. Although each individual, isolated incident might seem innocent enough to onlookers, these repeated behaviours mount up. In doing so they amount to a course of conduct causing significant alarm, harassment or distress that is unwanted attention.

This behaviour is, therefore unacceptable.

Stalking is a form of mental assault, which at times can also become physical. There are laws in place to protect against it but unless you are under direct threat of violence its often difficult to get anyone to take you seriously (especially the police) and you have to provide written, photographic or video evidence that you are under direct threat of violence to be taken immediately seriously. 

Stalking is a dangerous game to be on the receiving end of. It leaves you in a position of choice—crumbling under the pressure or in becoming stronger. Personally, I was left having to decide on tactic changes, on having to leave the house at differing times and living behind closed curtains in order for peace.

I knew my stalker, which is often the case. Ironically they are the most dangerous kind. It started with a letter and some flowers, with the letters turning to emails and phone calls. My ordeal lasted six years.

Now with a platform to speak out about the torment that some endure, I believe it important to speak out, for silence solves nothing. Some might think I’m holding onto my past—to those I say I share to help others have the strength to make this stop.

I struggled in silence for too long. I relied on those who said they couldn’t help. Help is out there if you know where to seek it.

https://www.solacewomensaid.org/get-help/other-support-services/paladin-national-stalking-advocacy-service

Frank Portinari is one of life’s gentlemen. A devoted family man who has been with the same lady since the year dot. A father and grandfather, a grafter, and a man passionate about his beliefs. Now a published author, public speaker, and podcaster it is through writing I came to know of Frank and became acquainted with him. We’ve not met, as yet, but Frank when we do, I’m keeping it in mind not to debate with you if you’ve a cuppa in your hand! (For all that have read Frank’s book, that was my favourite part). Wars have been won on the strength of tea when food was scarce, and Frank was heading for war.

I brushed on the importance of social history being recorded in last week’s blog post and Franks story most certainly falls into this bracket. I’ve discussed this with him before, but I believe the political aspect of his life should be used for higher educational study. I don’t say this lightly or to flatter. Instead, as someone who was there and risked their life for someone else’s fight, and who had the gumption to place the facts into a book then not only do they deserve that recognition, but students deserve to have this knowledge available to them.

Reading Frank’s book is a fascinating insight into two aspects of his life. There was one side of him that went to football, firstly in peace and then as the football hooligan era took hold, not—a public show of bravado of men drinking and having a punch up at the weekend.

‘Left-Right Loyalist: From One Extreme To Another’ is the name of the book I have—with a new editor (Shaun Attwood) there’s been a name change and re-launch since. ‘Loyalist Paramilitary Gunrunner: From Extremism to Prison’ might give a little insight into where Frank’s political alliance finally landed after some deliberation, it’s what made sense to him. Its this alliance that’s the main focus of Frank’s book, and the second side of a complex mind. After becoming frustrated with Britain being bombed by the IRA he’d wanted to make a difference and the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) entered his life at the correct time to make this happen for him—it’s an alliance he took to the extreme. Unlike most Frank was prepared to act and as with anything he puts his mind to, his heart doubles that passion. It wasn’t long until he’d gained trust and hierarchy as he became caught up in ‘the troubles’ of Northern Ireland. Frank was running guns over the border.

Frank's book, now called 'Loyalist Parliamentary Gunrunner: From Extremism to Prison
is available via this link

The UDA used a cover name in order that they wouldn’t become outlawed and were better known as the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) which prevented them becoming a terrorist group. It wasn’t until 1992 this occurred.

Making you feel part of his story as you read, you are spied on, friends are shot, and that circle of friends to be trusted becomes increasingly small. Gunrunning is a dangerous business and Frank is in the midst of it. He makes you feel you are too as his reality seeps into your psyche.

We lived these times through news stories—I have relatives who were in the army who served in Northern Ireland and a friend who lost his father who was shot by the IRA. Frank was there, he lived the experience and I urge you to read his book, without prejudice in order to gain understanding of why and how people got caught up in the troubles.

Frank served time for his participation and is still welcomed in Ireland today.

Currently writing his second book (which I’m looking forward too immensely) I’m very much interested in how, when—and of course why—Frank changed, as the man he is today certainly is reflective of the one he’s written about in his debut book.

Many years we’ve Tweeted, and for many years more I’ve followed the story of Carlton Leach. It was of course “that case” that highlighted his existence to me (for I wasn’t within that world).

At the time of Leah Betts’ death I lived not so far from Latchingdon and have just move away from Southminster within the last month. Before that my location was much more rural. I'd like to point out Carlton didn't have involvement in Leah's death.

My readings of course begun with the tabloids all those years ago, and some years later what became known as ‘The Essex Boys’ were a focus for my studies along with another Essex case. It became apparent that everyone had differing opinions on what might have happened leading up to the key events and indeed events themselves. Over the years stories and official statements of truth seem to have altered.

When Carlton published ‘Muscle’ I finally had a grasp—a behind the scenes look if you like—into a life of loyalty and respect. It was also a life of steroids and a few misdemeanours. Moreover, it was an insight into the rise of what would be known as the Inter City Firm (or ICF) which later transpired into what has become the film franchise Rise of The Foot Soldier.

Carlton’s second book was indeed entitled Rise of The Foot Soldier, in line with that first film for he was involved during the beginning—he's not now. The scenes of that first film reflected reasonably accurately what I'd learnt historically.

Several years passed before Carlton put pen to paper again but I’m thankful he did. His latest book ‘Carlton: The Final Say’ is a true insight into his life. The forward is a fitting introduction by Jason Allday, before Carlton takes you from his early childhood through to the humble man he is today—and he is a humble man. It’s a tear-jerker at times, especially when talking about his father. Carlton allows you into his home and heart throughout his ‘final say’. Muscle was about bravado but this one is about humanity as he chats his way through life from being a young boy growing up with his sister within a loving home to the present day, reflecting along the way. Don’t get me wrong, he soon lets you know if something doesn’t sit right and two names that come to mind are Bernard O’Mahoney and Nipper Ellis—in all honesty they don’t sit right with me either.

The Final Say evaporates myth and mystery because of a willingness to speak out. As with Muscle, what I like about this latest book is the brutal honesty. By sharing both books Carlton has contributed to recording his part in the making of social history and I believe that’s important. Stories like this are lost in time if they're not recorded for future generations. They become distorted, exaggerated and altered through differing perceptions but when they are written by those who were there such as in Muscle or who knew those involved in other matters and their truth hasn't faltered over the years, then speaking out matters.

Carlton, thank you for allowing me to blog about your books and for your support over the years.

My respect, always.

Savage knife attacks happen far too often and the death rate from such events is far too high. When you hear that someone has survived it gives you a lift—a victory over crime—something to celebrate!

Then you read just how long it can take to recover, that perhaps after twenty years recovery is still on going and you begin to realise the extreme effects of survival. This is Darren Barden’s reality. This is Darren’s story—its two years since Darren published his book, so in reality we’re talking twenty-four years since this near fatal attack.

Let's Skip To The Good Bits, Darren's book is available on Amazon
CLICK HERE

Delving a little deeper, you come to realise it’s a story of mistaken identity. A senseless attack on someone uninvolved in whatever might have been going on in whatever world he suddenly became mixed up within, when all he actually wanted was to continue with his quiet family life.

That’s unfathomable when you think about it—so we suggest you don’t try to analyse it too much.

Left for dead with his wife and baby boy (who was teething) upstairs, Darren bleeds out in the family home. Somehow, rather than calling out for his wife, Darren manages to phone the police and for an ambulance and then his parents—an act which he duly regretted.

Surviving his wounds turned out to be the easy part!

The battle that commenced against depression and PTSD would grip Darren for the years that followed—they took him to the darkest corners of his psyche and from reading his book his paranoia must have pushed his wife Wendy to her limits, but she turned out to be Darren’s rock.

Their story is also one of love and each time Darren tried to test boundaries Wendy was there to pull him in closer to her. They stood the test of time, they endured what most couples wouldn’t have handled—their love survived. Mercifully.

 Darren and Wendy Barden

Imagine, if you would for a moment (and this is something Donna can relate with all too well) that you experience trauma. There is a lot of action happening around you that perhaps you’re unaware of at the time. Your loved ones are very aware of what is happening, and they witness events you don’t. Darren has, by all accounts, [eventually] recovered well from what he physically went through but still struggles with what his family have experienced. Reading his account in “Lets Skip To The Good Bits” is brutal enough but to listen to him speaking, with a broken voice, during a recent podcast (Conversation with Criminals) talking about Wendy treading through his blood that was seeping through her toes is still too much for him to comprehend; that he phoned his parents and they were there unknowing if he’d survived, still to this day, too much for him—even after twenty-four years.

The moment someone picks up a knife there is intent to cause this much devastation, or death, and the consequences that leaves behind. Donna is glad to know Darren, that he both survived and had the courage to share his story and is now venturing into helping others. January (Covid-19 dependent) sees the beginning of a new venture and the start of filming of his own podcast, The Barber Chair, where Darren will interview inspirational people, also with a story to share.

Darren sitting in The Barber's Chair, the setting for his Podcast
YouTube LINK HERE

UPDATED January 2024

The Change Your Life Put Down Your Knife campaign began in October 2022. Ben Spann built upon foundations for what turned out to be the fastest growing knife campaign group in the UK. Gaining support from members, and many reformed high-profile ex criminals, willing to get the message out there; people like Terry Ellis (who was my first ever feature on the Soul2ink blog), Vinny Bradish and Chris Lambrianou who all created a strong message that they claimed was here to stay.

Ben stated, “we are the group that represents the people: mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunties and uncles but most of all every child in the U.K. Our campaign values are simple Prevent, Rehabilitate and Educate.”

Fully committed to the ongoing work that’s involved, the team are aware how much work is required to get them to where they want to be. Ben conveys that with “the support from every parent and grandparent to give us the voice we need, they will be able to stand up for what is right, that our future generations shouldn’t feel the need to have to carry a blade as a necessity like a phone or watch.” Knife crime effects every part of our country and if you’re blinded to that, please take a long, hard look at your community. Unfortunately, it’s become part of culture. It’s a known fact that if you are carrying there’s a greater likelihood of you using rather than not if the opportunity arises—if you carry consider leaving your blade behind.

Ben speaks for the group, Change Your Life Put Down Your Knife when he says that they “do not tolerate our kids being groomed into gangs, nor will they tolerate them being the victims or the perpetrators of knife crime. Enough is enough. We are doing great things but as you can imagine there is no overnight fix.” He also stated that working within communities is one of the important aspects of what they are about and it’s been a great pleasure to have had a close association with Leamington Amateur Boxing Club, ran by Ollie O’Neil, who are doing fantastic work with their youth, as are Aces Boxing Club, ran by Harmi Singh. Now in the process of becoming the proud [main] sponsors of Coventry City Supporter’s Club, the distinctive logo for the group will soon be displayed on their new kits.

Acutely aware that not all youth are sport minded the group have also been working closely with Hills FM, a Coventry based radio station and also with the homeless and youth services and drug and alcohol rehabilitation services within the area.

As a group, Ben and his team, are looking to carry out educational talks in schools and youth facilities all over the UK, once the Covid-19 situation allows. In the meantime, they will be seeking ways in which our future generations can be occupied, since funding for youth facilities has been cut year upon year. Ben ensures us that their campaign is “enrolling new schemes on a weekly basis as well as being affiliated with many sport facilities locally and across the UK.”

He goes on the say “Thanks for the support of our members and we look forward to all new members who have the same views on this subject.”

by Donna Siggers
First published October 2020
Updated 19 January 2023

David P Perlmutter has a few true crime stories under his belt and he tells them in a way that makes you feel as if you’ve been magically transported into an off the hip documentary. Taking you back in time, to his younger years, you are locked into a passionate embrace one minute and then thrown into extreme panic the next. His stories are raw and authentic—they are dramatic. The first words I ever read of Dave’s were “Let go of my fucking hair”, words that both resonated with me and that have stuck in my head—they were the opening lines of 'Five Weeks'.

Drama is most definitely at the forefront of Dave’s mind these days at a very different level, for production of his first movie is beginning to take shape. 'Wrong Place Wrong Time' has become a worldwide bestseller on Amazon and is now a Book To Movie project with Golden Mile Productions and No Reservations Entertainment. And with the recently added Bafta winner, executive Producer Mark Foligno from movies such as Moon and The King’s Speech this movie is definitely one to be looking out for!

Letting you in a little on this story, it unfolds as Dave, an estate agent from London, finds himself on the wrong side of the law in England’s capital and so he runs away to Spain rather than facing the shame he’d bought upon his family because he’d lost his job, and his driving licence. In hindsight what occurred on home soil was a far simpler matter than the night over in Marbella that the book is essentially about. Dave (it seems odd calling him that, as to me he’s DPP) stumbled upon a burning building and entered it, not giving a thought to his own safety. I’m not going to give anything further away as it’s a compelling story that I know you’d enjoy for yourself but I'll say this--despite all the help he gave that night, there may have been a little misdemeanour in the mix, and he was arrested and charged for far more than he’d carried out.

Cups and Oranges is one of my favourite chapters—it portrays the harshness of the situation Dave finds himself in, both physically and emotionally. Isolated in a foreign country, he finds a simple way to connect with his family in a way that’s truly moving and this chapter may have bought a little moisture to my eyes.

Dave has written more true crime books (pictured below) than the two I’ve mentioned, they can all be found through his author page each of which are stand alone stories and as compelling as one another. I began with 'Five Weeks' but with the movie looming my ultimate recommendation has to be 'Wrong Place Wrong Time'. There is much more to DPP's writing than his true stories and I will share some more of his work at a later date.