15 Most Famous Gangsters in Liverpool, UK

15 Most Famous Gangsters in Liverpool, UK

*Originally published by Purity in April 2023  and updated by Felix in February 2024

Liverpool is a richly endowed port city in the North West region of England. It has a thriving art and music scene, an enviable sporting culture, rich history, and so much more. It is home to the Beatles, the world-famous rock band, and major football clubs including Liverpool and Everton FC. However, this bustling city has had a dark side to it as well. It has housed some of the most notorious gangsters, thriving in Merseyside’s underworld. From nicknames such as ‘Killer‘, and ‘Mad Dog’ to ‘Devil, Liverpool’s most famous criminal figures have crafted quite a reputation for themselves. Drug trafficking, armed robbery, extortion, and murder are just a few of the criminal activities that make up their portfolio. Some of them have been convicted, and killed, while others are still on the run. Here are the 15 most famous gangsters in Liverpool.

Read also; 10 Famous 1960s British Gangsters.

1. Curtis ‘Cocky’ Warren

Photo by Tom Def on Unsplash

Curtis Warren was born in Liverpool, in 1963. He is considered to have been one of the biggest British drug traffickers in his prime. His life of crime began at a young age, and by the early 1990s, he was operating large-scale drug trafficking all over Europe. Warren is said to have learned about the drugs trade while working as a bouncer at a nightclub in Liverpool. He was known for trafficking cocaine and cannabis. He worked with Brian Charrington, a businessman in Middlesbrough, in the late 1980s. The two used a yacht to sail to France, after which they traveled to Venezuela. There, they brokered a deal with the Cali Cartel, who agreed to smuggle cocaine in boxes covered by lead ingots. They managed to sneak into the UK unnoticed.

Warren is famed for having impeccable memory, to the extent that he never wrote down his bank account details or accounts for his drug business. He had built immense wealth from his criminal empire, and in 1998, he was featured in The Sunday Times Rich List. At the time, his net worth was estimated at 40 million pounds. Warren was finally convicted to 12 years in prison, and subsequently removed from the list. In 2005, he was charged by Dutch authorities for operating a drug smuggling ring from prison. In 2009, he was again sentenced to 13 years imprisonment in a conspiracy to smuggle cannabis. He was released in 2022.

2. Tony Tucker

Tucker was a notorious member of the Essex Boys, a gang that operated in the 1980s and 1990s. As part of the gang, he was involved in the drug trade, armed robbery, and numerous acts of violence that spread terror around. He worked in security firms in Essex, and this made it easier for his gang to run drugs in Essex clubs. Tucker was infamous for his use of torture and punishment beatings for anyone who didn’t comply with his orders. The gang was a major player in the sale of the ecstasy pill. Tucker’s reign in the underworld came to a brutal end on 6 December 1995. Alongside drug dealers Patrick Tate, and Craig Rolfe, he was shot dead in a Range Rover, in Rettendon. The events have been the subject of numerous films, including The Fall of the Essex Boys (2013)

Have a look at 10 Notorious London Gangsters.

3. Lewis Turner ‘Big Boss Baby’

Photo by Maxim Hopman on Unsplash

Turner is one of the most violent enforcers and drug ringleaders from Liverpool. He referred to himself as the Big Boss Baby, having taken over leadership of his gang after the arrest of former leaders. He’s a nephew to other notorious criminals; Anthony and Leon Cullen. He ran a drug gang in Warrington, mainly involved in dealing cocaine. He was known for employing intense violence in collecting payment and generally running his drug operations. This was to mark his authority and territory in the area. The gang was tightly knit and often recruited trustworthy family members. After his arrest and conviction in 2020, the gang’s operations were severely disrupted.

4. Stephen French- ‘The Devil’

Born in Toxteth, Liverpool, Stephen French is a former kickboxing gangster and one of the most notorious. His nickname, The Devil, is reflective of the fearsome reputation he had earned in the criminal underworld. He grew up with Curtis Warren, one of the biggest British drug traffickers. Both rose in the world of crime in the 1980s and 1990s. Stephen French was an experienced martial arts fighter, and this added to his strong physique and towering presence. His criminal operation involved ‘taxing’ wealthy and powerful drug dealers in the UK. He later abandoned his life of crime. In 2018, he claimed that he did so after a postman gave him a Bible. He now refers to himself as ‘the fighting preacher.’ In 2008, a documentary titled ‘Danny Dyer’s Britain’s Deadliest Men’ was released, featuring French.

5. Tommy Comerford

Also known as ‘Top Cat’, Tommy Comerford was one of the very first crime bosses to establish an international drug trafficking network in England. He was the founder of the Liverpool Mafia in the 1970s; a drug trafficking cartel based in Liverpool. They utilized corrupt port officials to smuggle cocaine, heroin, and cannabis into the country. Comerford was born and raised in Liverpool’s Vauxhall district. He started as a petty thief before taking up armed robberies, and drug trafficking. He became a major player in Merseyside’s criminal scene and served up to 34 years in prison throughout his criminal career. Comerford succumbed to cancer in 2003, at the age of 70.

6. Mark Fellows ‘The Iceman’

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Now serving a life sentence for his crimes, Mark Fellows is a former contract killer, notorious for his ‘stone cold’ shooter reputation. He is the gunman who executed fellow gangsters, John Kinsella, and Paul Massey. The murder was connected to a rivalry between two Salford gangs.  He was finally convicted of Kinsella’s murder in 2019, alongside his ‘spotter’, Stephen Boyle.

7. Kevin Maguire- ‘Mad Dog’

Maguire earned his nickname for his temper and aggression. He was linked to a security company in Liverpool and was involved in the city’s underworld. Besides taxing drug dealers, he had a criminal record for kidnappings and assaults. He had served two and a half years in prison the last two in 1995. In 1998, Maguire was shot dead in a gang brawl, by Darren Becouarn. Darren was a notorious gunman at the city’s crime scene. He was jailed in 2000 for the murder of  Maguire and Nathan Jones.

Read more on; 10 Famous Gangs and Criminal Organizations in British History.

8. Kirk Bradley ‘The Turk’

Kirk Bradley earned the nickname ‘Turk’ for his characteristic dark facial hair and features. He was one of the most famous gangsters, alongside his partner in crime, Tony Downes. From 2009 to 2010, the two operated an underworld enforcement network responsible for a series of violent attacks and unrest in Merseyside. From overseeing gang activity to being paid to attack rivals by drug lords, Bradley and Downes easily became a notorious pair in crime. With help from their gang members, the two staged a prison break in 2011 while being transported to court. They were however tracked down in Holland and extradited to the UK in 2012. They were sentenced to life imprisonment.

9. Charlie Seiga ‘Killer’

Photo by Max Kleinen on Unsplash

Seiga is a true crime author and former gangster from Liverpool. He became a petty thief at an early age, and soon advanced into armed robbery. He is known to have used explosives to blow up safes and make away with cash and other valuables. He grew more violent as he rose through the levels of armed robbery, becoming one of the most notorious gangsters in the 1960s. Having abandoned his crime in the 1980s, he turned to write books on crime, and Killer was his first publication. He is also the author of ‘It’s Hard to Be Good.’ His public talks are aimed at encouraging people to avoid crime.

Check out the 30 Best True-Crime Podcasts you need to listen to Right Now.

10. Colin ‘Smigger’ Smith

Colin Smith was known as Britain’s ‘Cocaine King’ rising through the ranks of crime in the 1970s. He is believed to have been Curtis Warren’s close associate, and one of the major crime bosses overseeing drug smuggling in the UK. Smith also ran a property development company among other businesses by the time of his death. He was known for his charm, business acumen, and reputation to deliver on time. His empire is estimated to have been worth 200 million pounds. On 13 November 2007, Smith was shot dead in a gangland hit near a gym in Liverpool. It is alleged that this was carried out on orders from the Colombian drug cartel, but the claim remains unconfirmed. Smith was a father of five too, and some opine that his assassination had nothing to do with criminal activity.

11. John Kinsella

Kinsella was Paul Massey’s criminal associate and close friend. He hailed from Everton, Liverpool. Beginning his life of crime at a young age, he soon gained notoriety as one of the most violent gangsters in the city. His first encounter with the law was in 1991 when he was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for attempted robbery and possession of a firearm. Kinsella was tried for armed robbery again in 2008, but he managed to escape the court premises. He was arrested in 2009. In 2015, he was involved in a gang rivalry between two criminal groups in Salford. He was shot by Mark Fellows on 5 May 2018. Fellows and his spotter, Stephen Boyle were charged with the murder in 2019.

12. Anthony Cullen

Photo by Tim Hüfner on Unsplash

Anthony Cullen has been described by law enforcement as a ‘ruthless and arrogant’ figure in the drug trafficking world. He is Leon Cullen’s brother, a gangster as well. Now serving a 27-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2019, Anthony was also a renowned firearm supplier in the North West. Besides drugs, he supplied guns to smaller gangs in the city. His enforcers used threats and violence to collect debts from anyone who owed him. An estimated 205,000 pounds in cash was seized by police in a series of raids. The approximated profits made by Anthony’s operations within the area round up to about 571,000 pounds.

13. The Maniac

The real name of the feared gangland enforcer remains unknown, but his reputation in the underworld is no secret. Although most of his criminal involvements are traced back to the Netherlands, he is believed to be originally from Liverpool due to his accent. He is also referred to by his criminal associates as ‘that crazy Englishman’. In 2017, he got involved in an extortion and kidnap attempt. He had been hired by a Turkish drug lord to recover money from a businessman in a failed heroin trade deal. He was to obtain the money or kidnap the businessman’s wife until payment was made. The Maniac was however busted in 2018 by law enforcement officers who had been tracking his movements.

Top 10 Most Famous Cleveland Gangsters and Mobsters.

14. Liam Cornett- ‘The Lam’

Image by WikimediaImages from Pixabay

Liam operated a drug trafficking network which earned him immense wealth before his downfall. He smuggled drugs into the UK for distribution across England and Wales. He was also known for violence, and in 2014, Liam was jailed in the Netherlands for attempted murder. Liam spent lots of money on expensive parties, accessories, and cars. He was convicted in 2019 after a major investigation unveiled his operations. The North West Regional Organized Crime Unit discovered a trail of drug operations from his base in Costa del Sol to Hull, Cardiff, Anfield, and Devon. Liam was operating from Spain.

15. Stephen Britton

Britton is the leader of a gang in Salford known as A-Team. It was affiliated with gangster Paul Massey and his criminal associate, John Kinsella. The gang is involved in drug trafficking. It has also been known for deploying violence in running its operations and engaging in fierce gang wars. Britton, the gang’s boss was sentenced to five years in jail in 2009 for the death of a teenager in a hit-and-run incident. In February 2021, he was arrested in a group of six gang members allegedly sent to Spain to avenge Paul Massey’s killing in 2015.  The group was found in possession of weapons, including a pistol, several knives, machetes, a baseball bat, and masks.

While crime in Liverpool’s streets has significantly reduced over the years, it has not been entirely erased. Gangsters continue to face law enforcement officers in a cat-and-mouse chase every once in a while. Gangs involved in activities such as drug trafficking occasionally have feuds, and criminal activity is a persisting issue not only in Liverpool, and in most cities in the UK.

10 Movies about British Gangsters

I have always been fascinated by the gritty world of British gangsters portrayed on the big screen. Something about the raw, unapologetic portrayal of these hardened criminals captivates me with their ruthless ambition and unwavering loyalty to their twisted code of honour. From iconic classics like The Long Good Friday and Get Carter to modern masterpieces like Layer Cake and Legend, British gangster movies have a unique allure that sets them apart. These films offer a gritty yet compelling glimpse into the seedy underbelly of Britain’s criminal underworld, where power, money, and respect are the ultimate currencies.

From the mean streets of London’s East End to the industrial wastelands of the North, these movies transport us to a world where the line between justice and criminality blurs, and the only way out is through a hail of bullets. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a newcomer to the genre, British gangster movies have a way of captivating audiences with their raw authenticity. So buckle up and get ready for a wild ride through the underbelly of Britain’s criminal underworld.

Here are ten movies about British gangsters:

1. Eastern Promises (2007)

On top of the list is the film Eastern Promises, where Viggo Mortensen delivers a chilling performance as Nikolai Luzhin, a ruthless Russian mobster operating in London. The film offers a brutal yet captivating exploration of the Russian mafia’s grip on the city’s criminal underworld. The film’s intense portrayal, coupled with the unflinching depiction of violence, immerses viewers in a world where loyalty is everything, and survival is often a matter of sheer brutality. With its gritty realism and powerful performances, Eastern Promises stands as a gripping testament to the dark allure of British gangster cinema.

2. Brighton Rock (1947)

Brighton Rock is a classic British film noir that delves into the seedy world of Brighton’s criminal underworld in the late 1930s. Adapted from Graham Greene’s novel, the movie features a chilling performance by Richard Attenborough as Pinkie Brown, a young and psychopathic gangster. Attenborough’s portrayal of the cold-blooded Pinkie is both captivating and unsettling, as he ruthlessly eliminates anyone who stands in his way. With its gritty depiction of gang violence, religious undertones, and exploration of moral corruption, Brighton Rock remains a seminal work in the British gangster genre, cementing its place as a timeless and influential masterpiece.

3. The Italian Job (1969)

A group of crooks headed by the flamboyant Charlie Croker (Michael Caine) are followed in the iconic British caper movie The Italian Job (1969) as they plot a daring gold theft in Turin, Italy. A star-studded cast and an iconic Mini Cooper chase sequence through Turin’s streets combine to create a film that flawlessly combines humour, action, and the roguish allure of London’s criminal underground. In addition to Caine’s outstanding performance as the architect of the audacious heist, the film’s iconic characters and deft plot twists cement its place as a revered classic in the British gangster genre. The Italian Job’s timeless appeal is because of its masterful fusion of wit, flair, and exciting heist scenes.

4. The Long Good Friday (1980)

The film The Long Good Friday is a gritty and intense British crime film that showcases Bob Hoskins’ phenomenal performance as Harold Shand, a ruthless London gangster. Set against the backdrop of Shand’s ambitious plans to orchestrate a massive real estate deal, the movie takes a chilling turn when a series of violent attacks threaten to derail his vision. Hoskins is mesmerizing as the foul-mouthed and volatile Shand, whose iron grip on his criminal empire slowly unravels. The Long Good Friday is a seminal classic in the British gangster genre, cementing its place as a must-watch for fans.

5. Mona Lisa (1986)

Bob Hoskins is yet in another British crime drama, Mona Lisa, exploring the dark and seedy underbelly of London’s underworld. Bob Hoskins delivers a powerful performance as George, an ex-convict who becomes entangled in the dangerous world of high-class prostitution and organized crime. Directed by Neil Jordan, the film offers a gritty and unflinching look at the harsh realities of life on the fringes of society. Hoskins’ portrayal of the complex and morally ambiguous George is a standout, as he navigates the murky waters of loyalty, redemption, and survival. Mona Lisa is a masterful example of British gangster cinema, blending gritty realism with a poignant character study.

6. Layer Cake (2004)

Another sleek and engrossing British crime thriller Layer Cake transports viewers to the brutal underworld of London. Daniel Craig gives a remarkable performance as a skilled, anonymous drug dealer entangled in a web of brutality and deceit. With its clever narrative, witty speech, and stylish aesthetic, the movie presents a novel interpretation of the traditional British mobster archetype. Intriguing and provocative, Layer Cake delves into ambition, devotion, and the perils that come with living a life of crime. The movie is a modern classic in the world of British gangster films thanks to Craig’s captivating portrayal of the slick yet cunning protagonist.

7. The Ladykillers (1955)

Just as the name sounds, The Ladykillers is a darkly comic masterpiece from the legendary Ealing Studios. Alec Guinness leads an ensemble cast as the diabolically cunning Professor Marcus, who assembles a motley crew of criminals to carry out an audacious bank robbery. However, their meticulously planned heist goes awry when their unwitting landlady, the sweet but meddlesome Mrs. Wilberforce, inadvertently becomes involved. With wit, dialogue, inventive slapstick, and delicious blend of crime and comedy, the film The Ladykillers stands as a beloved classic in the British gangster genre, cementing its place as a timeless and influential work of cinematic brilliance.

8. Get Carter (1971)

Arguably one of the highest-rated crime British films, Get Carter (1971) showcases Michael Caine’s brilliant performance as Jack Carter, a ruthless London gangster. When Carter returns to his hometown in Newcastle to investigate his brother’s mysterious death, he descends into a seedy world of corruption, violence, and retribution. The film’s bleak and uncompromising depiction of the criminal underworld solidifies its status as a seminal work in the British gangster genre. With its iconic cinematography, gritty atmosphere, and Caine’s tour-de-force performance, Get Carter remains a landmark film, offering an unflinching exploration of the brutal world of British gangsters and the lengths one man will go to uncover the truth.

9. Legend (2015)

Here is a movie in the history of British gangster, Legend; a gripping crime drama that chronicles the rise and fall of the notorious Kray twins, Reggie and Ronnie, two of the most infamous gangsters in British history. Tom Hardy delivers a tour-de-force performance, portraying both brothers. The film immerses viewers in the violent and ruthless world of the Kray twins’ criminal empire. With its authentic recreation of the era, intense action sequences, and exploration of the complex dynamics between the twins, Legend offers a captivating look into the dark underbelly of London’s criminal underworld.

10. Sexy Beast (2000)

There is nothing sexy about the film Sexy Beast is a taut and electrifying British crime thriller that delves into the gritty world of gangsters and ex-cons. Ben Kingsley delivers an unforgettable performance as Don Logan, a brutal and unhinged criminal sent to recruit his former associate, Gary “Gal” Dove (Ray Winstone), for one last heist. The film’s tense atmosphere and Kingsley’s explosive outbursts create a palpable sense of dread and unease. With its sharp dialogue, stylish direction, and exploration of themes like loyalty, redemption, and the inescapable grip of the criminal underworld, Sexy Beast stands as a modern classic in British gangster cinema.

These gritty tales of British gangsters remind us that beneath the polished veneer of society, a dark and dangerous world lurks, one governed by its own brutal rules. Yet, we can’t help but be drawn to these compelling antiheroes, their stories etched into the fabric of cinematic history with each unforgettable frame.