The brutal and untold story of how legendary hardman Lenny McLean shot a prison guard during a daring daylight escape attempt can finally be revealed.
Years before finding fame as an actor and bare-knuckle fighter, McLean's life of violent crime reached a dramatic climax when he was being transported in a prison van through North London. In a moment of sheer audacity, McLean, then in his early twenties, produced a concealed firearm and opened fire on a guard, shooting him in the leg.
A Desperate Act of Violence
The shocking incident, detailed in a new biography by his son Jamie, exposes the extreme lengths McLean was willing to go to for freedom. The shooting was not a calculated attempt to kill, but a desperate measure to facilitate his escape from custody.
Jamie McLean recounts the event with stark clarity, painting a picture of a young, volatile man deeply entrenched in London's criminal underworld. This act of violence against a prison officer marked a significant escalation in his already notorious reputation.
The Aftermath and Legacy
The botched escape attempt had profound consequences. It cemented McLean's status as a formidable and dangerous figure, adding years to his time behind bars. The incident also served as a brutal lesson in the risks faced by prison officers in the line of duty.
This chapter of McLean's life stands in stark contrast to the public persona he later cultivated. It reveals the raw, unfiltered violence that characterised his early years, long before his image was softened by celebrity.
His son's account provides a chilling insight into the mind of a man who lived by his own ruthless code, forever walking the thin line between infamy and notoriety.
