Paddy Conroy is best man at O’Mahoney wedding

Sep 20 2009 by Adam Jupp, Sunday Sun

But the reality of the world he lived in hit home when one of his associates was shot in the head as he sat in a Range Rover. That inspired him to go on the straight and narrow and he has since gone on to work for charities including Crimestoppers. He wrote the book Essex Boys, which was turned into a film starring Sean Bean.

Bernard has also been working on a book called Faces, which uses pictures to profile notorious villains up and down the country. That was how he initially met Paddy, who was locked up for torturing Billy Collier. Collier, a member of rival family called the Harrisons, was handcuffed and tied up, before having the sides of his nostrils and front teeth pulled out with pliers.

The attack was said to be revenge for an arson attack on one of Conroy’s properties and for the Harrison clan desecrating Conroy’s father’s grave.

Conroy was convicted of torture, kidnap and false imprisonment along with associate David Glover.

That saw him serve time in some of the UK’s hardest jails but today, more than a decade on, he maintains he is innocent.

Bernard, said: “I had never heard of Alnwick Castle, but she chose it and who am I to argue? Originally, we had wanted a small wedding but being a girl, she wanted a big fancy thing and that is what we’re having after all.”

Paddy, 49, said: “It is the first time I have ever been a best man and the first time I have been on a stag do.

“I have been nervous about it. I was a little surprised to be asked to be honest but when he did, I was chuffed.”