In September 1982 he robbed the Midland Bank on Far Gosford Street with an associate. At the end of the working day, they both walked into the branch, incidentally it was Tony’s own bank and branch, wearing motorcycle helmets and brandishing guns. The terrified staff gave into their demands for money and satisfied with their haul they left the bank.

But as they entered the street there was an eerie silence, they were surrounded by armed, plain clothed police officers, someone had tipped them off. They had no alternative, they gave themselves up and were duly arrested. As a result of that day’s activity, both men received a sentence of ten years imprisonment. The fact that Tony’s associate had a replica gun, rather than the real firearm that Tony carried, made no difference to the sentence, they were sentenced the same.

During Tony’s imprisonment in HMP Long Lartin, his young family visited him. But as time went on the visits became less and eventually his first wife, the mother of his three children divorced him. Surprisingly, Tony remarried in prison but less surprisingly that relationship was destined to be a short one.

Tony had seen his periods of incarceration as an occupational hazard and a time for reflection, education and devising a plan for the next ‘big’ thing.

In 1989, having served six and a half years, Tony was released from prison. However, following a series of Police raids on several properties, Tony went on the run again.

Tony had obtained engraved plates so that he could print counterfeit American dollars. And he did print and distribute, he would say thousands of dollars, the authorities would say millions. While avoiding the long arm of the law he met his third wife who was enchanted by his charisma and dashing good looks. When he finally got caught and was detained he told her of the accusation, he pleaded not guilty and stood trial. With a guilty conviction comes a sentence of eleven and a half years. He and his new love were married in prison. She supported him and agreed to wait for him.

As this lengthy sentence came to an end, Tony was allowed home leave, short periods, usually weekends, when he was allowed home to his wife in an effort to prepare for his full time release. But Tony is already planning his next move. During his home visits he entertained associates and talked about dealing and importing drugs. The thought that he is to become embroiled in such a murky, underworld immediately after being incarcerated for so long is too much for his third wife and she filed for divorce.

On his release he started to work the drugs scene. He progressed quickly from dealer to wholesaler of Class B and C drugs (amphetamine and cannabis). Once again, he was arrested during a series of Police raids. Tony is remanded in custody and maintained to his defence team, he was dealing in cigarettes, which was illegal, but not drugs.

At the end of a five month drug trial which concluded in January 2000 he was found not guilty. Tony thanked the jury for their deliberation and for coming to the not guilty verdict, he entertained them with food and drink. The police were suspicious and thinking the jury had been ‘nobbled’ they arrested members of the trial jury.

Later in 2000, Tony was arrested on other drug offences, conspiracy. He was remanded but shortly afterwards was granted bail and he took the opportunity to abscond, Tony was on the run again. By now his children were young adults and at varying times all three worked for him in various roles.

But in May 2001 Jason, Tony’s youngest son, received a telephone call and was summoned to Amsterdam as his father had been involved in ‘an accident’. When Jason arrived in Holland he went to the house where his father was being looked after. The truth was startling and much more shocking than the accident explanation. Not only had Tony been shot in the chest and seriously wounded but he in turn had shot and killed a drug rival. Tony was smuggled out of Holland and found sanctuary in Spain.

The situation was, Tony was now wanted by the UK police after he’d skipped his bail for the drugs offences and now he was also wanted by the Dutch police for murder. In 2003 the UK police launched a campaign to locate the errant Tony. He was branded as ‘Public Enemy Number 1’.

In 2003 Tony was arrested in Spain; he was living under one of his many aliases and was charged with drug offences. His real identity was then discovered. Regarding the murder in Amsterdam, Tony was extradited to the Netherlands and went on trial. He pleaded not guilty to the murder, his defence was one of self-defence. Tony still carried the physical evidence of that evening within his chest, he had bullet fragments embedded within him. This was sufficient for the court to believe he was not guilty and indeed acted in self-defence. Tony returned to Spain to complete the rest of his sentence imposed for the drug offences. He was released in May 2007 and he returned to the UK.

Jason was an animator and very talented artist. He published two animated story books, the first entitled ‘His and Her Smuggling Vacation’. This attracted media coverage and Tony’s role as a ‘Crime Consultant’ for the book was highlighted.

In September 2008 a UK police operation was launched, Operation Downpour. As a result of this police surveillance and involvement, Tony was arrested in a farmhouse in the Netherlands in possession of Class B and C drugs. He is once again extradited, this time to the UK. Ten others were arrested and put on trial in relation to the operation of which Tony was the main subject and kingpin.

On this occasion, to protect others, he pleaded guilty, the one and only time he did so, and received a sentence of five years imprisonment for drug related offences. Nine of his co accused were also convicted.