The Resurrection Of Brian Cockerill - story of reformed criminal 'The Taxman' to be told in new book and documentary

The story of Brian ‘The Taxman’ Cockerill, famous for robbing drug dealers, is not for the faint-hearted.

Formerly weighing almost 24 stones, the ex-hardman has been arrested on suspicion of multiple murders, shot at, stabbed, and battled drug addiction and depression.

Today, Brian, who grew up in Hartlepool, spends his time visiting schools, prisons and youth clubs urging people who think the life of a gangster is glamorous not to follow in his footsteps.

The story of how he has turned his life around is about to be told in a new book and documentary entitled The Resurrection Of Brian Cockerill.

True crime author Jamie Boyle, who has previously written about Hartlepool boxers Richy Horsley and Alan Temple, said: “The book doesn’t glamorise or glorify anything.

“It gives the brutal truth – but there is a message in there and a happy ending.

“Brian was a gangland enforcer, and in that world was top of the tree.

“If he can turn his life around anybody can. The biggest word that jumps out of his story is regret.”

As well as steering young people away from crime, Brian, of Ingleby Barwick, is also a carer for his brother who lives in Hartlepool.

And he is also backing a region-wide anti-knife campaign and helps people who are depressed.

He said the book focuses on his life from 2007 to the present day.

Brian, who still trains in the gym twice a week, said: “My life was really at a low at one point and the truth is going to come out in this book.

“Most of my friends have been shot or stabbed to death.

“I have changed my life around now. I try to help children in the community. I go round schools and give talks saying ‘don’t emulate what I was doing’.”

The documentary based on the new book will be available from Amazon from March.

The Resurrection of Brian Cockerill is out on Kindle from February 4, and available in paperback on March 31.