I am a former senior police officer having served for thirty years in Northumbria, Cleveland and The Royal Ulster Constabulary.  A highlight of my policing career, was serving as Deputy Area Commander for Sunderland. Prior to joining the Police Service I was a seagoing marine engineer, working for Blue Star Line, a Liverpool shipping company.

I have lived in Fulwell all of my life and attended local schools.  I have been Chair of Governors at Fulwell Junior School for 30 years - the School’s status as ‘Outstanding’ over many years is a source of much pride.

I am keen to ensure that Fulwell, Seaburn and South Bents remain amongst the best and healthiest places to live in the North East.  To that end, I have been a tireless campaigner against Northumbrian Water and Sunderland Council in their assertion that it is acceptable to discharge over 700,000 tonnes a year of untreated sewerage into the sea at Whitburn, and in particular, that the Council chooses to turn a blind eye to such a scandal affecting our environment and health.  Support is gathering for this campaign and working with others, I will not standby and let this scandal continue.

Since retirement form the Police Service, I remain busy, working two days a week as a lecturer at Sunderland College and undertaking consultancy work in respect of Restorative Justice for victims of crime as well as undertaking investigative work concerning breaches of discipline and grievances in the workplace.I also undertake voluntary work through fundraising for LiverNorth, a North East regional charity supporting patients and their families suffering and recovering from serious liver problems and transplants.I am a keen caravaner and enjoy spending time in our great outdoors.