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

A former notorious criminal is continuing to write a new chapter in his life with the publication of a new book.
By Mark Payne
Published 16th Dec 2020, 16:45 BST
Brian Cockerill with copies of his new book The Taxmen of Teesside.Brian Cockerill with copies of his new book The Taxmen of Teesside.
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.

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

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