In a recent live event of the Criminal Connection Podcast, the energy was palpable. Fans gathered to see an intriguing panel, with host Terry Stone joined by special guests Bernard Mahoney and Lee Chapman. The night was full of thrilling stories, humorous moments, and a candid look behind the scenes of the criminal underworld. What follows is a summary of the event, peppered with insights into the infamous Essex Boys, gritty real-life encounters, and a sprinkling of humor from the panelists.
A Storied Beginning
The night kicked off with Terry Stone welcoming his two guests, Bernard Mahoney and Lee Chapman, both known for their strong ties to the Essex underworld. The Criminal Connection Podcast has been a hit for over a year now, exploring crime-related stories with guests who have firsthand experience in the criminal world. In this live event, Stone brought the real “Essex Boys” survivors to the forefront, digging into their stories.
Bernard Mahoney was the first guest ever to appear on the podcast, and his return brought him full circle. Terry revealed how the two met over a project about Bernard's book, Bernard By Blood, which eventually turned into a movie. From that initial connection, they built a longstanding friendship, with Bernard playing a key role in multiple projects, including Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins.
Lee Chapman, another local hero, shared his story of working as a head doorman, building a life in a high-stakes, high-adrenaline world. His experiences of being in close proximity to dangerous figures like Tony Tucker, Pat Tate, and Craig Rolfe – the real Essex Boys – offered fresh insight into the notorious gang.
The Essex Boys: Myths and Reality
Both Bernard and Lee have unique connections to the Essex Boys, and they used the event to dispel some myths about the notorious trio. According to Bernard, the real Essex Boys were far from the organized crime empire that many believe. The glamorized portrayal in films, with flashy cars, women, and wealth, was not the reality of these men’s lives. In truth, their time in the limelight was incredibly brief – less than six months before it all came crashing down.
Pat Tate’s short-lived life outside of prison (he was shot after only five months) and Craig Rolfe's vicious nature were discussed in detail. Bernard didn’t shy away from the darker aspects of their personalities, particularly how drugs, notably crack cocaine, tipped the group over the edge into unpredictable and violent behavior. From shooting and injuring people in their circle to committing terrifying acts of cruelty, the Essex Boys spiraled out of control in a short time frame.
Stories from the Front Lines
The audience was treated to a series of gripping anecdotes, showcasing just how violent and erratic life on the doors could be for Bernard and Lee. Bernard shared a story of a fight in which he was stabbed and the knife entered his back, exiting through his chest. Despite losing blood, Bernard managed to fend off his attacker, only to collapse later and wake up in the hospital. Even after such an ordeal, Bernard was held on bail for six months, which speaks to the complexity of the environment in which he lived and worked.
Lee Chapman also recounted moments of intense violence. One such story was about being cut with a craft knife during a brawl at a club in Southend. Despite the severity of his injuries – his face was slashed open – he still found himself arrested. In another incident, he narrowly avoided being framed for a malicious wounding, which could have landed him a sentence of 18 to 22 years. Only a stroke of luck, when the prosecution’s story fell apart, saved him from prison.
Yet, both Bernard and Lee spoke about these moments with a casualness that reflects the dangerous world they inhabited. Even in recounting tales of stabbings and brutal assaults, they did so with a dark sense of humor that seemed to underscore their resilience.
The Lighter Side: Humor in the Darkness
Despite the grim nature of their stories, there was plenty of humor to lighten the mood throughout the evening. Both Bernard and Lee have a knack for finding the absurdity in the violence they lived through. Bernard told a story about mistakenly kicking down the wrong door while searching for someone who had threatened his life. The mistake led to an awkward confrontation with the terrified neighbors, who had nothing to do with the situation.
Lee, too, injected humor into the evening with a bizarre tale of his encounter with a self-proclaimed werewolf in a Southend police station. The man had allegedly transformed under the full moon and wreaked havoc on the local law enforcement, taking out several officers before being subdued. Though it sounds far-fetched, Lee assured the audience that this was a real story – one that could be verified with a quick Google search.
Reflection and Closure
As the night wound down, the conversation returned to the Essex Boys. The panellists were unanimous in their view that these men were not as clever or as powerful as they are often portrayed. Bernard highlighted how Mickey Steele, one of the men convicted of their murders, actually incriminated himself during the trial by explaining how he had cleaned his car to avoid leaving fingerprints – a story that ultimately did him more harm than good.
The night closed with light-hearted banter and an auction, giving fans a chance to take home memorabilia from the event. The Criminal Connection Podcast live show was a resounding success, blending the excitement of real-life crime stories with moments of laughter and camaraderie. It’s clear that the bond between Terry, Bernard, and Lee runs deep, and their ability to engage the audience with their gritty, no-holds-barred tales made for an unforgettable experience.
For anyone who missed the event, the Criminal Connection Podcast remains one of the best platforms for a raw, unfiltered look at the criminal underworld, with stories that continue to fascinate and shock in equal measure.