After an astonishing 45-year journey through the labyrinthine confines of every single UK prison, John Hilton, now 94, who holds the dubious title of being one of the longest-serving criminals in UK history, is finally breaking his silence.
In his compelling autobiography, he offers a gripping and unfiltered account of his tumultuous life, from his tragic beginnings in the aftermath of World War II to his descent into a life of crime.
Hilton's first stint in a young offenders' prison at the age of sixteen came about when he was caught stealing money from the till of a local fruit and veg stall where he worked. During this dark period, he suffered life-altering injuries while incarcerated, losing several fingers and he quickly learned how to navigate the harsh realities of the prison system.
These traumatic experiences only fuelled Hilton's dangerous path into a life of armed robberies and even murder, cementing his dangerous mind-set.
On one fateful night in 1978, during a robbery gone wrong, Hilton shot a diamond merchant in the back, and accidentally shot his crime partner. He was faced with an uncomfortable decision: whether to let his friend bleed to death and to discard the body or to take him to a hospital, running the risk of being caught for a double homicide.
Detailing the ever-changing prison regime through the decades, Hilton's autobiography is not merely a chronicle of wrongdoing but a tale of sacrifice, honour and resourcefulness. He candidly takes readers on a journey through his ruthless and unforgiving mind. This deeply personal account is a must-read for anyone interested in the criminal justice system, the psyche of a dangerous armed robber, the old East End of London and the remarkable gangsters it produced.
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