Former Teesside criminal Brian 'Taxman' Cockerill reveals time he teamed up with Lee Duffy in new book

Brian Cockerill with copies of his new book The Taxmen of Teesside.

Well-known ex Teesside hardman Brian Cockerill, who grew up in Hartlepool, has written a new book detailing his relationship with another infamous local criminal Lee Duffy.

Entitled Brian Cockerill & Lee Duffy: The Taxmen of Teesside features never before seen photos, letters and stories of the time the two former enemies teamed up in the early 90s to steal drugs, money and cars from drug dealers.

It also serves as a cautionary tail against a life of crime with Christian Brian, 55, now devoting his time to helping others.

Brian joined forces with notorious Lee Duffy during the early 1990s.

Brian, who once weighed 24 stones, said: “Over the years many books have been written about myself and Lee Duffy and all of them have been factually incorrect and written by people who were not born or living in the area when we were active.

"This book is a true account of what really happened in Teesside in 1991, when I met Lee until his tragic death."

The story of how Brian, of Ingleby Barwick, turned his life around was told in The Resurrection of Brian Cockerill published earlier this year.

He wrote the latest book with his new wife Emma, Steve Wraith and Neil Jackson.

Brian Cockerill, Steve Wraith and Emma Cockerill with copies of the new book.

“It has stories in there no one has ever heard and pictures not seen before,” added Brian.

"It is the first book where the Duffy family have been involved in it.”

Brian recounts how Duffy tried to knock him out when they first met, their cat-and-mouse chase for a second fight before joining forces.

The book does not focus on Duffy’s well-documented death when he was stabbed during a fight and also features accounts showing his good side and love for his family.

Emma, who together with Brian campaign against knife crime, added: “Most of the people in the book have been killed. We try to steer children and teenagers away from that life.”

Brian added: “We’re trying to say to kids ‘don’t try to emulate what me and Lee did. It was wrong’.”

He also helps people with mental health and addiction issues through his Facebook pages and YouTube.

Published by Mojo Rising The Taxmen of Teesside is available online and in book shops priced £20.

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