BRIAN Cockerill was once a violent gangland enforcer who was linked with and fought some of the hardest men in England.
Known as the Teesside Taxman, Cockerill operated in the criminal underworld for almost 30 years.
Who is Brian Cockerill?
Brian Cockerill was once described as the “sixth hardest man on the planet”.
This was because he spent years working as a violent gangland taxman, who had countless street fights in a career that lasted almost 30 years.
Before turning to a life of crime, Cockerill was a committed bodybuilder – but he lost it all when he decided to use his strength and 6ft 3 physique to commit violent crimes which would eventually land him in and out of prison.
Over the years, the ex-hardman has been arrested on suspicion of multiple murders, shot at and stabbed.
Read More on Gangsters
Get to know London gangster Freddie Forman
All about northeast gangster Lee Duffy
On one occasion, Cockerill was left for dead after being lured into a pre-planned ambush, set up in revenge for an attack on an underworld rival.
Recalling the attack, Cockerill said: ''I walked in and about 12 lads smashed me over the head with a hammer, stabbed me in the back and put a gun to my head. I dropped a few of them and threw them about the house.
''I was about 24 stone at the time so they couldn’t put me down. It went on for about 10 minutes. I was stabbed and I had 176 stitches and lost two pints of blood.
''They battered me with baseball bats and hammers and stabbed me. They left me for dead and said, ‘That will be the end of him.’ I went to hospital and they said if I was not so big I would probably be dead.''
Most read in News
Ukrainian cities blitzed by deranged Putin who calls Kyiv 'nuke terrorists'
Putin accuses Ukraine of 'TERRORISM' ahead of crunch meeting today
Ukraine claims Putin’s elite guard deployed to Moscow as Vlad fears coup
Ten people who died in service station blast named by cops as tributes paid
Cockerill also associated with a number of violent criminals, including Lee Duffy.
Duffy played a significant role in Cockerill's downfall, after he introduced him to drugs – which would eventually become an addiction for the ex-hardman.
Cockerill began taking the drugs he was stealing, which led to many years of addiction, depression and anxiety and eventually left him with nothing but his home.
However, after years of violence and stints in jail, in 2019, Cockerill decided to turn his life around and educate youngsters on the importance of how not to live a life of crime.
He has now set up a Facebook page, The Resurrection of Brian Cockerill – which encourages those who feel they're at a loose end to get in touch and ask for help.
Why was Brian Cockerill known as The Taxman?
Cockerill earned himself the name of the The Taxman when he began stealing from drug dealers in the Teesside area.
The ex-hardman would carry out violent attacks on Teesside’s cannabis gangs, in which he claimed to have stolen drugs, cash jewellery, vehicles and gold.
Over the years, Cockerill claims to have witnessed over 20 ''tax partners'' murdered as a result of their criminal lifestyle, including fellow associate Lee Duffy.
Is Brian Cockerill married?
Brian Cockerill is married to his wife Emma.
The pair work together to educate others and help them avoid turning to a life of crime – including hosting a podcast together and publishing a book titled Brian Cockerill & Lee Duffy: The Taxmen Of Teesside.
They frequently post candid snaps on their joint Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Where is Brian Cockerill from?
Read More on The Sun
Urgent warning to parents as kids under 5 are most at risk being KILLED by dogs
I’m a rich housewife who lives in Dubai – watch me spend $500 on my nails
Brian Cockerill is from Hartlepool – a seaside and port town in County Durham, England.
He has become part of Teesside folklore due to his criminal past and association with former gangsters in the area.
Source: Read Full Article