STEPHEN Gillen is a reformed career criminal, who now wants to help others to avoid falling into a life of crime.
Here, we look at his life, and how he was able to turn it around after a difficult start.
Who is Stephen Gillen?
Stephen Gillen is a reformed gangster from London.
He was shipped to Belfast when he was six months old, where he witnessed horrific violence and death at the height of the Troubles.
He moved to East London at the age of 10, and soon after was known as a notorious figure in the criminal underworld, involved in heists and brutal fights.
How long did Stephen Gillen spend in prison?
Gillen said he spent more than 18 years of his life behind bars.
READ MORE ON STEPHEN GILLEN
I was one of the UK’s most feared gangsters – now my book’s set to be a £30m film
I was caged with Bronson and know why he lashes out – but he has a soft side too
He was sentenced to 17 years in prison in 1991 for his involvement in a crime operation that was thwarted by the Metropolitan Police.
Gillen was only 22 years old when he got sent down.
When inside, Gillen was a category A prisoner and shared a prison with notorious criminal Charles Bronson, who he befriended whilst inside.
He was moved 25 times whilst behind bars before eventually being released in 2003.
Most read in The Sun
Dele Alli pictured surrounded by gas canisters with balloon in his mouth
Hollywood star, 48, gives birth to twins and reveals gender in adorable post
ABBA star dies aged 70 as heartbroken family share tribute
Ryan Reynolds buying house in Welsh village as he pledges future to Wrexham FC
He spent a total of 11 years and nine months inside during that particular sentence.
What does Stephen Gillen do now?
After his release, Gillen decided to turn his life around and became a successful author and TV personality.
He promotes peace and wants to tell his story in order to stop others from going down the path he did.
His website promotes the Resilience Code, which encourages people to overcome adversity and difficulties in their life in order to achieve success.
His book The Monkey Puzzle Tree, which details his upbringing and his entrance into the world of crime, is set to be turned into a big-budget feature film.
The film, written by former Poirot actor David Suchet's son Kieran, has a budget of £30million.
He is an International Peace Prize Nominee for his work in preventing violence and was even flown to New York to meet with the secretary-general of the United Nations.
UK’s most notorious gangsters and criminals
- Notorious prisoner Charlie Bronson
- The Kray Twins from London's East End
- Former gangster Marvin Herbert
- Ex-armed robber Vic Dark
- Former gangland enforcer Brian Cockerill
- Notorious British criminal Carlton Leach
- Paul Sykes – known as Britain's hardest prisoner
- Kevin Lane – given a life sentence for murder
- Convicted murderer Tony Argent
- Former drug-smuggler Chet Sandhu
- Fearless UK hardman Lee Duffy
- Career criminal Curtis Warren
- Gangleader Charlie Richardson
- A-Team leader Terry Adams
Source: Read Full Article
