Stephen French upbringing, in Toxteth, Liverpool, was characterized by crime and financial violence. He started out as a petty mugger and a house burglar. When the drug trade grew in the 1980s, French turned his attention to “taxing” drug dealers, robbing and torturing dealers to take their profits. It was this brutal approach that would earn him the nickname of “The Devil.”
French was convicted in 2013 of attacking a businessman with a firearm and throwing a replica gun and a machete into the River Mersey. He was sentenced to three years in jail and went on to serve the sentence at HMP Liverpool. When he arrived, other prisoners were said to be “baying for his blood,” eager to take on the notorious gangster. But French’s stalwart attitude prevented any conflicts.
Life Behind Bars
French endured multiple challenges while serving time, including fights with other inmates. Dressed in prison garb, Collins was also embroiled in a fight with fellow prisoner Sam Walker, further emphasizing that the elements in jail are tenuous at best.
Life After Prison and Public Appearances
As a free man, French attempts to reinvent himself as a peace activist and anti-gun campaigner. His story has been told in different media formats from podcasts to interviews, detailing his past and encouraging change. In one of those appearances, he recalls his crimes, and the societal conditions of Britain in the 1980s that led him to committing the crimes.
Recent Incidents
While striving to shed his past, French has found himself in situations making headlines. During a match at Liverpool FC in October 2024, he was arrested and afterward released without any further action. Footage showed him engaging with police officers outside Selhurst Park, underscoring a continued scrutiny he faces.
Continuing Impact and Legacy
French’s life story is thus a multifaceted tale of crime, punishment and efforts at redemption. His story about the criminal underground and its later change opens up a one of a kind viewpoint of the entanglements in stowing away a daily existence of wrongdoings. He has continued to contribute to the discourse on crime prevention and rehabilitation, through public speaking and media appearances.
You can watch the following interview for further insights into the events and Stephen French’s life:
