"Dodgy" Dave Courtney (born 17 February 1959) is a self-proclaimed former British gangster who has become both an author and celebrity-gangster figure. Author Bernard O'Mahoney and the former member of the Richardson gang Frankie Fraser have accused Courtney of embellishing and fabricating his criminal record and position in the underworld; however, Courtney has denied overstating his past.

Dave was educated at Forest Hill Comprehensive, where he was an active member of the drama group, taking the lead role in several plays.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Courtney

Dave’s third book is a funny, scary and totally Dave account of the underworld – the people he knows, the things he’s done, and what he thinks of the future of crime. Be ready for some surprises – if you think you know Dave, and what he’s going to say, then you’re in for a big surprise. Dave pulls no punches in telling us what he thinks of those who use to run the crime in the city – what is going to happen when the Russians start moving in – and just who have been the biggest influences in his life. Oh, and he tells some jokes, too.