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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Shopkeeper hit with spate of thefts forced to TACKLE shoplifters himself as courts ‘just let them off the hook'
A SHOPKEEPER fed up with a spate of thefts has been forced to tackle shoplifters himself, saying the courts 'just let them off the hook'. Andrew Board, 39, who runs a convenience store in Durham, Co Durham, has become a local have-a-go hero - chasing down thieves, physically dragging them back into the shop, and banning dozens from stepping foot through the door again. Advertisement 5 The shopkeeper says he will 'protect and defend' the store from shoplifters Credit: Midlands Media Agency/Andrew Board 5 Andrew Board has been running his Premier convenience store for six years Credit: Midlands Media Agency/Andrew Board 5 Andrew says shoplifting is having a major impact on his business Credit: Midlands Media Agency/Andrew Board After six years of running his Premier store, the retailer had reached the end of his tether at being robbed blind while courts dish out slap on the wrist punishments to shoplifters. He said: "It's just got worse and worse because there's no deterrent. Crime pays at the moment. "The police have bent it over backwards to try and get all these criminals put before the courts, and they're as frustrated as we are, that they're basically just letting them off the hook. "They might get a caution or a rehabilitation order, but there's very little to stop them just going out and doing it again." Advertisement Read More on UK News Andrew has chased suspects around the estate and recently dragged a man who swiped a crate of Fosters back into the shop. After his brave citizen's arrest, police arrested the thief - only to spare him prosecution and hand out a community resolution instead. Andrew said: "The outcome was that he would just pay for the beer and it would be forgotten about. Despite him being on an electronic tag at the time. "How is that justice? What kind of message does that send if the worst-case scenario is they just have to give the stuff back?" Advertisement Most read in The Sun CCTV footage shows thieves being caught in the act - including a woman sliding tubs of Lurpak inside her coat and another nicking a bottle of wine. Other clips show Andrew and his staff grappling with shoplifters and hauling them back into the shop to await arrest. Moment Co-op worker grabs fleeing shoplifter by the THROAT to stop him making off with arms full of stolen items Shoplifting at the store has become so rampant that some products have been pulled entirely. Lurpak, Nescafe, tubs of fabric softener and even Spam have been removed after being targeted by drug addicts keen to pay off their debts. Advertisement Andrew said: "We had one prolific thief who was in constantly, shoving Lurpak down her coat. "She wears a lined coat, like a pro. She's been in court over and over again, but not once has been gone to prison." The store's banned list has grown to over 40 names. Andrew knows many having grown up and lived in the area all his life. Advertisement He has chased thieves around the estate, through back lanes and over fences. Andrew said: "There's no stereotypical shoplifter, I've had eight-year-olds stealing. Middle-aged people stealing to pay drug debts. Pensioners in their eighties stuffing things down their coat. "There's no set sort of character of what makes a shoplifter now." Andrew credits the police for trying but says officers are shackled by rules and red tape. Advertisement He is in a WhatsApp group with other retailers who track offenders and warn each other when someone's on the move. But police officers are not allowed to use WhatsApp. So while the group moves in real time, officers can be left catching up. Andrew told how the scourge of shoplifting had taken a toll on his staff, none of whom signed up to facing down criminals. Andrew said: "I've got some tools of the trade on me. I don't give them a chance to react. I work on shock tactics. Advertisement "I do have some restraint where it's needed. I would only retaliate if someone was volatile with me. I'm forceful in the immediate stage, but then if someone was going to pull a scrap with me, then I would hold my own. "I tell the staff to challenge but only if they feel safe. 'Often they'll ring me because I only live nearby. "My wife knows that I can handle myself and I do have a sensible head on my shoulders. But she's always going to worry in case anything does happen." Advertisement Nationally, half a million shoplifting offences in England and Wales were recorded by police last year, up 20 per cent from 2023. Andrew says shoplifting is having a major impact on small business struggling with ever-shrinking profit margins. He said: "These people are stealing out of my pocket because this is my business and I won't have it anymore. "Small businesses now, they're closing left, right and centre, because all the extra expenses we're now subject to, all the extra regulations we're now being bound by that we've got to fork out our own pockets for. Advertisement "Wages and overheads are all going up. National insurance payments have gone up. "So we're being hammered left, right and centre. And now all these thieves are just coming in like it's a free-for-all. "People think acquisitive crime is harmless but if I go under, then the post office in the shop goes too. The community loses out and that's not fair. "Shoplifting will not go down until something in the legal system changes." Advertisement In a Facebook post in April, the store warned: "We aren't one of those large corporate stores making millions and can absorb losses due to theft. We're a small, local, family run business that does its best to cater for the community. "All thefts are a theft direct from our pocket and jeopardise our ability to trade and serve our community. Because of this, we absolutely WILL protect and defend ourselves against thieves and anyone caught will be dealt with accordingly." A Durham Police spokeswoman said: 'Shoplifting is a significant issue nationwide , and County Durham and Darlington is no different. 'We take this type of offending extremely seriously and work hard to tackle the issue across our force area. Advertisement 'A large proportion of shoplifting offences are opportunistic and committed by people with drug or alcohol addictions. 'That's why, as a force, we must look at the bigger picture and find out why individuals offend in the first place and seek to address the underlying reasons for their offending." 5 Andrew isn't afraid to confront those trying to steal from his store Credit: Midlands Media Agency/Andrew Board 5 Half a million shoplifting offences in England and Wales were recorded by police last year, up 20 per cent from 2023 Credit: Midlands Media Agency/Andrew Board Advertisement
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Shopkeeper hit with spate of thefts forced to TACKLE shoplifters himself as courts ‘just let them off the hook'
More than 40 people have also been banned from the convenience store TOUGH TACKLE Shopkeeper hit with spate of thefts forced to TACKLE shoplifters himself as courts 'just let them off the hook' A SHOPKEEPER fed up with a spate of thefts has been forced to tackle shoplifters himself, saying the courts 'just let them off the hook'. Andrew Board, 39, who runs a convenience store in Durham, Co Durham, has become a local have-a-go hero - chasing down thieves, physically dragging them back into the shop, and banning dozens from stepping foot through the door again. Advertisement 5 The shopkeeper says he will 'protect and defend' the store from shoplifters Credit: Midlands Media Agency/Andrew Board 5 Andrew Board has been running his Premier convenience store for six years Credit: Midlands Media Agency/Andrew Board 5 Andrew says shoplifting is having a major impact on his business Credit: Midlands Media Agency/Andrew Board After six years of running his Premier store, the retailer had reached the end of his tether at being robbed blind while courts dish out slap on the wrist punishments to shoplifters. He said: "It's just got worse and worse because there's no deterrent. Crime pays at the moment. "The police have bent it over backwards to try and get all these criminals put before the courts, and they're as frustrated as we are, that they're basically just letting them off the hook. "They might get a caution or a rehabilitation order, but there's very little to stop them just going out and doing it again." Advertisement Andrew has chased suspects around the estate and recently dragged a man who swiped a crate of Fosters back into the shop. After his brave citizen's arrest, police arrested the thief - only to spare him prosecution and hand out a community resolution instead. Andrew said: "The outcome was that he would just pay for the beer and it would be forgotten about. Despite him being on an electronic tag at the time. "How is that justice? What kind of message does that send if the worst-case scenario is they just have to give the stuff back?" Advertisement CCTV footage shows thieves being caught in the act - including a woman sliding tubs of Lurpak inside her coat and another nicking a bottle of wine. Other clips show Andrew and his staff grappling with shoplifters and hauling them back into the shop to await arrest. Moment Co-op worker grabs fleeing shoplifter by the THROAT to stop him making off with arms full of stolen items Shoplifting at the store has become so rampant that some products have been pulled entirely. Lurpak, Nescafe, tubs of fabric softener and even Spam have been removed after being targeted by drug addicts keen to pay off their debts. Advertisement Andrew said: "We had one prolific thief who was in constantly, shoving Lurpak down her coat. "She wears a lined coat, like a pro. She's been in court over and over again, but not once has been gone to prison." The store's banned list has grown to over 40 names. Andrew knows many having grown up and lived in the area all his life. Advertisement He has chased thieves around the estate, through back lanes and over fences. Andrew said: "There's no stereotypical shoplifter, I've had eight-year-olds stealing. Middle-aged people stealing to pay drug debts. Pensioners in their eighties stuffing things down their coat. "There's no set sort of character of what makes a shoplifter now." Andrew credits the police for trying but says officers are shackled by rules and red tape. Advertisement He is in a WhatsApp group with other retailers who track offenders and warn each other when someone's on the move. But police officers are not allowed to use WhatsApp. So while the group moves in real time, officers can be left catching up. Andrew told how the scourge of shoplifting had taken a toll on his staff, none of whom signed up to facing down criminals. Andrew said: "I've got some tools of the trade on me. I don't give them a chance to react. I work on shock tactics. Advertisement "I do have some restraint where it's needed. I would only retaliate if someone was volatile with me. I'm forceful in the immediate stage, but then if someone was going to pull a scrap with me, then I would hold my own. "I tell the staff to challenge but only if they feel safe. 'Often they'll ring me because I only live nearby. "My wife knows that I can handle myself and I do have a sensible head on my shoulders. But she's always going to worry in case anything does happen." Advertisement Nationally, half a million shoplifting offences in England and Wales were recorded by police last year, up 20 per cent from 2023. Andrew says shoplifting is having a major impact on small business struggling with ever-shrinking profit margins. He said: "These people are stealing out of my pocket because this is my business and I won't have it anymore. "Small businesses now, they're closing left, right and centre, because all the extra expenses we're now subject to, all the extra regulations we're now being bound by that we've got to fork out our own pockets for. Advertisement "Wages and overheads are all going up. National insurance payments have gone up. "So we're being hammered left, right and centre. And now all these thieves are just coming in like it's a free-for-all. "People think acquisitive crime is harmless but if I go under, then the post office in the shop goes too. The community loses out and that's not fair. "Shoplifting will not go down until something in the legal system changes." Advertisement In a Facebook post in April, the store warned: "We aren't one of those large corporate stores making millions and can absorb losses due to theft. We're a small, local, family run business that does its best to cater for the community. "All thefts are a theft direct from our pocket and jeopardise our ability to trade and serve our community. Because of this, we absolutely WILL protect and defend ourselves against thieves and anyone caught will be dealt with accordingly." A Durham Police spokeswoman said: 'Shoplifting is a significant issue nationwide, and County Durham and Darlington is no different. 'We take this type of offending extremely seriously and work hard to tackle the issue across our force area. Advertisement 'A large proportion of shoplifting offences are opportunistic and committed by people with drug or alcohol addictions. 'That's why, as a force, we must look at the bigger picture and find out why individuals offend in the first place and seek to address the underlying reasons for their offending." 5 Andrew isn't afraid to confront those trying to steal from his store Credit: Midlands Media Agency/Andrew Board 5 Half a million shoplifting offences in England and Wales were recorded by police last year, up 20 per cent from 2023 Credit: Midlands Media Agency/Andrew Board
Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Straits Times
Forum: Fewer and fewer places ‘with character' due to gentrification
A sense of nostalgia swept over me as I read the article (Empty shops, boarded windows: Has Holland Village lost its mojo?, June 7) As a teenager who went to school nearby in the 1990s and subsequently, navigated a budding social life as a young adult in the early 2000s, 'Holland V' has always held a special place in my heart. Having first dinner dates as junior college students at Fosters, aptly described as 'An English Rose Cafe', was as commonplace as having ice-cream dates at the now-defunct Haagen-Dazs in Lorong Mambong. Other fond memories include bumping into home-grown singer Stefanie Sun at the old Holland Villlage Food Centre (before its makeover) who said 'hi' with a tip of her baseball cap as mutual acquaintances exchanged warm greetings while having a late night supper. Wala Wala Cafe Bar was one of our go-to places for weekend and midweek gatherings as young adults – fun times spent on scintillating conversations that got increasingly animated as the nights wore on. Singapore has the unenviable and delicate task of striking a good balance between the old and new. As more and more places go through development, spurred on by rental prices and market forces, is our uniquely Singaporean version of gentrification resulting in fewer and fewer places 'with character', such as Tiong Bahru and Holland Village? We need to do more so that such havens, which played an important role in our personal stories, do not fade into our distant collective memories. Teo Eng Keat Julian More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Scottish Sun
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘I was there to lose' – Confessions of journeyman boxer who LOST 96 fights but has WON battles with cocaine and booze
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JOURNEYMAN boxer Johnny Greaves battled drugs, booze, depression and abuse throughout his 100-fight pro career. The 46-year-old East Londoner admits he was 'no better than useless' as he lost 96 TIMES. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Johnny Greaves is one of Britain's most celebrated journeyman boxers Credit: Rex 5 Greaves had 100 fights, winning his final Credit: Getty He would take some fights at the last minute, entering the ring on a stomach of lager, while also battling a debilitating cocaine habit and praying he would LOSE to guarantee further pay-days. Fans would SPIT on him as he walked into the ring and Greaves admitted that, at times, he was treated 'no better than a dog.' But, no matter how big a beating he took, he never missed a day working as a self-employed painter-decorator to put food on the table for his missus Vicky, daughter Ruby and son Teddy. When Greaves turned pro in 2007, aged 30, he'd already fought 50 unlicensed and 30 amateur bouts. READ MORE IN BOXING GLOVE AND HATE Fisher opens up on backstabbers who turned on him after Allen win But after being told he would earn just £800 a fight as a new pro, building up his name and needing to sell tickets, he swapped to the away corner. Knowing he could make almost £2,000 a pop as an opponent for up-and-coming stars, he forfeited his desire to be a champ. Greaves has relived his astonishing career for a new book called Bright Lights and Dark Corners And in an exclusive SunSport interview, Greaves revealed: 'At the time I was skint. I didn't have a lot of work on. 'Vicky and I had just moved into a place, Teddy had just been born with severe clubfoot, so he was in and out of hospitals every other day. 'I was struggling badly.' However, his decision kick-started one of the most celebrated journeyman boxing careers in Britain, with Greaves fighting up to 20 TIMES a year. Britain's next Tyson Fury set for world title & Taylor urged to fight on | Split Decision Recalling his 2008 points loss to Ryan Walsh, Greaves revealed: 'I'd just opened my third can of Fosters when my phone rang at 4.30pm on the Saturday. 'I took the fight, agreed the money and was in the ring boxing at the Excel Arena at about ten past six.' On another occasion in 2012, Greaves, who also has a coaching licence, was set to act as a cornerman for Jody Meikle at York Hall - only to fight opponent Eren Arif himself. Greaves added: 'I remember the promoter running out asking, 'What do you weigh?' I replied, '10st 6?' 'He continued, 'Do you want a fight?' I said, 'F***, what are you paying?' 'So we discussed the money, then I phoned the missus to meet me at the station with a bag, my shorts, boots and a gum shield. 'She passed the bag over the counter, I rushed back to York Hall and I was fighting about half an hour after that.' Greaves is very honest about the fight game, insisting money came first for him and winning could have affected his chances of earning. It's not what a lot of people think, how the boxing game works. But let's have it right - it's a business, it's not sport. Johnny Greaves He said: 'I don't wanna make it look like it's bent, but, look, I boxed nine world champions, I boxed over 20 British champions. 'I boxed the best fighters in the world - Anthony Crolla, Jamie Cox, Johan Perez. 'Or, you're boxing against young lads that look, let's have it right, if you win these fights, you're gonna lose work for yourself, you then become a risk, so you play the game. 'You don't let your hands go against these kids, you play through, get through nice and safe, get paid, lose on points, hopefully. "And then you fight again the week after.' But while he was boxing, Greaves harboured a secret not even his family knew. He was battling a cocaine addiction so fierce he would even take it on fight nights. He confessed: 'I'm disgusted about the way I went through things with the drugs through my career. 'Things were pretty crazy' 'Recreational drugs, nothing performance enhancing. If anything it's performance debilitating, to be honest. 'Getting through packets of cocaine, just just to control my nerves, control my moods. I had a habit and I'm really disgusted about it.' 5 Johnny Greaves in action against Dan Stewart in 2009 Credit: PA:Press Association 5 Johnny Greaves with a swollen eye against Bradley Skeete in 2011 Credit: Getty In 2009, Greaves fought Oisin Fagan in Dublin on the back of a massive booze bender. Greaves recalled: 'I was on my own in a hotel room and up all hours of the night doing what I was doing. 'I got in and boxed the top Irish lad the next day. Things were pretty crazy then.' Greaves has now overcome his cocaine habit and has been working painting The Shard at London Bridge Station. He added: 'My family were always well provided for. My whole life has been about providing for my kids. 'But my release, getting away and forgetting about my life as a loser, would be to go and get smashed and forget about it.' The toughest part of my boxing career was dealing with the abuse that I was getting. Johnny Greaves He has also beaten his booze demons. But still suffers from depression, still bears the mental scars of fighting against vulgar, hostile crowds. And he said: 'I've always been weak mentally, suffered a hell of a lot with depression and suicidal thoughts, very low self-esteem. 'And look, when you're in front of crowds of 900 people all screaming and shouting and slagging you off and laughing at your record, it was emotionally tough. 'The toughest part of my boxing career was dealing with the abuse I was getting. 'Why would I want my son coming to watch me get beaten and suffer dogs' abuse from the crowd? 'I've had people spit on me when walking into the ring, it's a nasty game. I was treated no better than a dog at times. "I had 100 professional fights, I won just four. To anyone who doesn't understand the game, you're no better than useless. You're Not Alone EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers. It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women. Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now. That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign. The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives. Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: CALM, 0800 585 858 Heads Together, HUMEN Mind, 0300 123 3393 Papyrus, 0800 068 41 41 Samaritans, 116 123 'People just don't understand the game and the business model of how boxing actually works. 'So dealing with things mentally and emotionally was tough.' Greaves had just one rule when he fought - his friends and family were banned from attending. He explained: 'Look, I'm there to lose. I don't want my wife and kids seeing that.' However, he made an exception for his final fight in 2013 when he BEAT Dan Carr at York Hall to bow out with a victory in front of 500 of his fans. Greaves beamed: 'I fought my heart out and trained like a beast. I would have boxed anyone in my last fight and been confident enough to win it. 'I would have boxed King Kong that last time and I'm pretty sure I would have at put up a good fight.' Greaves opens up on his astonishing career in his biography, Bright Lights and Dark Corners, which is on sale now. Detailing his boxing life in black and white helped him KO the demons that plagued his years in the ring. He said: 'This book has been a therapy session for me, it's about getting a lot off my chest.' Bright Lights & Dark Corners by Johnny Greaves is available to buy now at
The Irish Sun
31-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I was there to lose' – Confessions of journeyman boxer who LOST 96 fights but has WON battles with cocaine and booze
JOURNEYMAN boxer Johnny Greaves battled drugs, booze, depression and abuse throughout his 100-fight pro career. The 46-year-old East Londoner admits he was 'no better than useless' as he lost 96 TIMES . Advertisement 5 Johnny Greaves is one of Britain's most celebrated journeyman boxers Credit: Rex 5 Greaves had 100 fights, winning his final Credit: Getty He would take some fights at the last minute, entering the ring on a stomach of lager, while also battling a debilitating cocaine habit and praying he would LOSE to guarantee further pay-days. Fans would SPIT on him as he walked into the ring and Greaves admitted that, at times, he was treated 'no better than a dog.' But, no matter how big a beating he took, he never missed a day working as a self-employed painter-decorator to put food on the table for his missus Vicky, daughter Ruby and son Teddy. When Greaves turned pro in 2007, aged 30, he'd already fought 50 unlicensed and 30 amateur bouts. Advertisement READ MORE IN BOXING But after being told he would earn just £800 a fight as a new pro, building up his name and needing to sell tickets, he swapped to the away corner. Knowing he could make almost £2,000 a pop as an opponent for up-and-coming stars, he forfeited his desire to be a champ. Greaves has relived his astonishing career for a new book called Bright Lights and Dark Corners And in an exclusive SunSport interview, Greaves revealed: 'At the time I was skint. I didn't have a lot of work on. Advertisement Most read in Sport Breaking 'Vicky and I had just moved into a place, Teddy had just been born with severe clubfoot, so he was in and out of hospitals every other day. 'I was struggling badly.' However, his decision kick-started one of the most celebrated journeyman boxing careers in Britain, with Greaves fighting up to 20 TIMES a year. Britain's next Tyson Fury set for world title & Taylor urged to fight on | Split Decision Recalling his 2008 points loss to Ryan Walsh, Greaves revealed: 'I'd just opened my third can of Fosters when my phone rang at 4.30pm on the Saturday. Advertisement 'I took the fight, agreed the money and was in the ring boxing at the Excel Arena at about ten past six.' On another occasion in 2012, Greaves, who also has a coaching licence, was set to act as a cornerman for Jody Meikle at York Hall - only to fight opponent Eren Arif himself. Greaves added: 'I remember the promoter running out asking, 'What do you weigh?' I replied, '10st 6?' 'He continued, 'Do you want a fight?' I said, 'F***, what are you paying?' Advertisement 'So we discussed the money, then I phoned the missus to meet me at the station with a bag, my shorts, boots and a gum shield. 'She passed the bag over the counter, I rushed back to York Hall and I was fighting about half an hour after that.' Greaves is very honest about the fight game, insisting money came first for him and winning could have affected his chances of earning. It's not what a lot of people think, how the boxing game works. But let's have it right - it's a business, it's not sport. Johnny Greaves He said: 'I don't wanna make it look like it's bent, but, look, I boxed nine world champions, I boxed over 20 British champions. Advertisement 'I boxed the best fighters in the world - 'Or, you're boxing against young lads that look, let's have it right, if you win these fights, you're gonna lose work for yourself, you then become a risk, so you play the game. 'You don't let your hands go against these kids, you play through, get through nice and safe, get paid, lose on points, hopefully. "And then you fight again the week after.' Advertisement But while he was boxing, Greaves harboured a secret not even his family knew. He was battling a cocaine addiction so fierce he would even take it on fight nights. He confessed: 'I'm disgusted about the way I went through things with the drugs through my career. 'Things were pretty crazy' 'Recreational drugs, nothing performance enhancing. If anything it's performance debilitating, to be honest. Advertisement 'Getting through packets of cocaine, just just to control my nerves, control my moods. I had a habit and I'm really disgusted about it.' 5 Johnny Greaves in action against Dan Stewart in 2009 Credit: PA:Press Association 5 Johnny Greaves with a swollen eye against Bradley Skeete in 2011 Credit: Getty In 2009, Greaves fought Oisin Fagan in Dublin on the back of a massive booze bender. Advertisement Greaves recalled: 'I was on my own in a hotel room and up all hours of the night doing what I was doing. 'I got in and boxed the top Irish lad the next day. Things were pretty crazy then.' Greaves has now overcome his cocaine habit and has been working painting The Shard at London Bridge Station. He added: 'My family were always well provided for. My whole life has been about providing for my kids. Advertisement 'But my release, getting away and forgetting about my life as a loser, would be to go and get smashed and forget about it.' The toughest part of my boxing career was dealing with the abuse that I was getting. Johnny Greaves He has also beaten his booze demons. But still suffers from depression, still bears the mental scars of fighting against vulgar, hostile crowds. And he said: 'I've always been weak mentally, suffered a hell of a lot with depression and suicidal thoughts, very low self-esteem. Advertisement 'And look, when you're in front of crowds of 900 people all screaming and shouting and slagging you off and laughing at your record, it was emotionally tough. 'The toughest part of my boxing career was dealing with the abuse I was getting. 'Why would I want my son coming to watch me get beaten and suffer dogs' abuse from the crowd? 'I've had people spit on me when walking into the ring, it's a nasty game. I was treated no better than a dog at times. Advertisement "I had 100 professional fights, I won just four. To anyone who doesn't understand the game, you're no better than useless. You're Not Alone EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers. It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women. Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now. That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign. The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives. Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: CALM, Heads Together, HUMEN Mind, Papyrus, Samaritans, 'People just don't understand the game and the business model of how boxing actually works. 'So dealing with things mentally and emotionally was tough.' Greaves had just one rule when he fought - his friends and family were banned from attending. Advertisement He explained: 'Look, I'm there to lose. I don't want my wife and kids seeing that.' However, he made an exception for his final fight in 2013 when he BEAT Dan Carr at York Hall to bow out with a victory in front of 500 of his fans. Greaves beamed: 'I fought my heart out and trained like a beast. I would have boxed anyone in my last fight and been confident enough to win it. 'I would have boxed King Kong that last time and I'm pretty sure I would have at put up a good fight.' Advertisement Greaves opens up on his astonishing career in his biography, Bright Lights and Dark Corners, which is on sale now. Detailing his boxing life in black and white helped him KO the demons that plagued his years in the ring. He said: 'This book has been a therapy session for me, it's about getting a lot off my chest.' Bright Lights & Dark Corners by Johnny Greaves is available to buy now at 5 You can buy Johnny's book, Bright Lights & Dark Corners, now Advertisement
