Richard Taylor Popular Books

Richard Taylor Biography & Facts

On 27 November 2000, ten-year-old Nigerian schoolboy Damilola Taylor was killed in London, in what became one of the United Kingdom's most high-profile killings. Two brothers – who were 12 and 13 at the time of the killing – were convicted of manslaughter in 2006. Damilola Taylor Damilola Olufemi Taylor was born in Lagos, Nigeria to Richard and Gloria Taylor, both from the Yoruba ethnic group. He attended Wisdom Montessori School in Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos before he travelled to the United Kingdom in August 2000 with his family to seek treatment for his sister's epilepsy. Death At 4:51 pm on 27 November 2000, Taylor set off from Peckham Library, south east London, to walk home. Approaching the North Peckham Estate, he was attacked on Blakes Road resulting in a gash to his left thigh and a severed artery. He was found in a stairwell on the estate and taken to King's College Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Trials First trial In 2002, four youths, including two 16-year-old brothers, went on trial at the Old Bailey for murder. The trial led to all four suspects being acquitted – two were acquitted on the direction of the judge after he ruled that the prosecution's key witness, a 14-year-old girl, was unreliable; and the jury found the other two not guilty. As well as questioning the reliability of the witness, the defence presented expert witness testimony from Alastair Wilson, associate clinical director at the Royal London Hospital, that Taylor's wounds were consistent with having falling on a broken bottle whilst being attacked. This was disputed by the prosecution, who argued that Taylor would have had to "take off and fly through the air like Peter Pan" in order for Wilson's theory to be correct. Wilson also admitted that "he had not seen Damilola's body or been given other information about the death." Pathologist Vesna Djurovic maintained that Taylor "was stabbed deliberately [with a broken bottle] in the left thigh, probably while he was on the ground." New evidence Despite the acquittals, police vowed to keep the investigation open. New DNA techniques employed by Angela Gallop and her team identified Taylor's blood on the trainers of Danny Preddie and on the sweatshirt cuff of his brother Ricky, neither of whom were among the four original suspects. This led to a re-examination of the evidence obtained at the time of Taylor's death. In 2005, fresh arrests were made, and 19-year-old Hassan Jihad and the Preddie brothers (aged 16 and 17) were charged with manslaughter. Due to their age, the Preddie brothers were not publicly named at the time of their arrest or during their trial. Second trial On 23 January 2006, Jihad (then 21 years old) and the Preddie brothers (then 17 and 18 years old) appeared at the Old Bailey to face charges of his manslaughter and assault before the start of their imminent trial. The trial commenced on 24 January 2006. Wilson again testified that he thought that Taylor had died after falling on a shard of glass from a broken bottle. After retiring on 29 March to consider its verdict, the jury cleared Jihad of all charges on 3 April. They were unable to reach a verdict on the charges of manslaughter against the two brothers, so they were released but with the possibility of a retrial on those charges. Retrial for manslaughter The retrial of the two brothers began on 23 June. As they were by then over 18, they were publicly named. Both defendants were known to police, having committed multiple robberies.On 9 August 2006, the Preddie brothers were convicted of Taylor's manslaughter after a 33-day retrial. During the retrial it was noted that while police followed procedure collecting evidence, lapses occurred in the prosecution. On 9 October, Mr Justice Goldring sentenced the brothers to eight years in youth custody for manslaughter.Although it was widely reported in the media that Taylor's parents were unhappy at the sentences, Goldring explained the sentence was determined by the age of the offenders at the time and that there was no evidence to suggest that there was premeditation. In addition, the bottle used had not been carried to the scene of the crime. Aftermath In May 2001, Richard and Gloria Taylor established the Damilola Taylor Trust in their son's memory, and which campaigns against knife crime. Richard Taylor also dedicated his life to campaigning to improve the lives of disadvantaged children. In 2008, Richard Taylor organised a march against knife crime which took place in central London and was attended by several thousand young people, and led by Brooke Kinsella, whose brother, Ben Kinsella, was stabbed to death. In 2009, Richard Taylor was appointed as an anti-knife crime and youth violence envoy by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and was awarded an OBE in the 2011 New Year Honours for his services to campaigning for youth charities. Gloria died from a heart attack in April 2008; Richard died on 23 March 2024 from prostate cancer.Ricky Preddie was released on parole in September 2010, but recalled to prison in March 2011 for breaking the terms of his parole. He was released from prison again in February 2012. In February 2020, Ricky Preddie (also known as Ricky Johnson) was again jailed. He had driven his car into a police officer, leaving her with serious injuries. Preddie pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving; driving whilst disqualified; failing to stop; and driving without insurance. He was imprisoned for four years for the crimes. In popular culture Children's author Beverley Naidoo recalled how when she went to accept the Smarties Silver Award for her book The Other Side of Truth (2000), about two Nigerian child refugees, she heard the news of Taylor's death. As a result, she organized an ongoing donation of 10p to the Refugee Council from every book sold.Writer Stephen Kelman was nominated for the 2011 Man Booker Prize for his debut novel Pigeon English, inspired in part by the Taylor killing.Actor John Boyega and his older sister Grace were among the last people to see Taylor alive. They were friends and the Boyegas helped watch him.The BBC programme Panorama aired a special on the death of Taylor in April 2002. A 90-minute BBC dramatization of the events leading to his death and his family's search for justice, Damilola, Our Loved Boy, premiered in November 2016 and won the BAFTA Award for a single drama.In Black History Month 2020, Capital XTRA presenter Yinka Bokinni, a friend of Taylor, hosted a documentary about him for Channel 4 titled Damilola: The Boy Next Door.In 2020, 7 December was declared Day of Hope to mark two decades since Taylor's killing. See also Timeline of children's rights in the United KingdomReferences Citations External links Damilola Taylor Trust. Discover the Richard Taylor popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Richard Taylor books.

Best Seller Richard Taylor Books of 2024

  • Broken People synopsis, comments

    Broken People

    Sam Lansky

    "Sam Lansky has such a wondrous way with words."Taylor Swift ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF THE YEARVogue, O, The Oprah Magazine, Parade, Library Journal, Harper’s Bazaa...

  • Elizabeth Taylor synopsis, comments

    Elizabeth Taylor

    Kitty Kelley

    “Shimmering in blue sequins and periwinkle eye shadow, Elizabeth Taylor strode onto the stage of the Mark Hellinger Theater to present the 1981 Antoinette Perry Award for Broadway’...

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    Found

    Erin Kinsley

    A MISSING CHILD RETURNS. BUT WHO TOOK HIM? BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB CHOICE SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB PICK 'Brilliant, utterly compelling, heartwrenching...I was gripped and loved it.'...

  • A Death at Fountains Abbey synopsis, comments

    A Death at Fountains Abbey

    Antonia Hodgson

    'In a tale that more than matches its predecessors for pace and atmosphere, Hawkins is forced into confrontation with a psychopathic killer...hugely enjoyable' The Sunday Times'You...

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    Richard Taylor

    T. Michael Parrish

    Using widely scattered and previously unknown primary sources, Parrish's biography of Confederate general Richard Taylor presents him as one of the Civil War's most brilliant gener...

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    Liz

    C. David Heymann

    Elizabeth Taylor's own story was more dramatic than any part she ever played on the screen. C. David Heymann brings her magnificently to life in this acclaimed biographyupdated wit...

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    Wrestling With His Angel

    Sidney Blumenthal

    The “magisterial” (The New York Times Book Review) second volume of Sidney Blumenthal’s acclaimed, landmark biography, The Political Life of Abraham Lincoln, reveals the future pre...

  • Night Fighter synopsis, comments

    Night Fighter

    William H. Hamilton & Charles W. Sasser

    For readers of American Sniper, the stirring account of a life of service by the “father of the US Navy SEALs”One month after the Bay of Pigs fiasco, when President John F. Kennedy...

  • The Buried synopsis, comments

    The Buried

    Sharon Bolton

    AN OLD ENEMY IS LAID TO REST . . . AND A NEW CRIME IS DISCOVEREDFlorence Lovelady, the most senior serving policewoman in Britain, visits convicted serial killer Larry Glassbrook i...

  • Stay synopsis, comments

    Stay

    Jane Bailey

    'There was so much suspense I could feel my heart pound in my chest... This is the first book I've read by this author and it certainly will not be the last. Loved it!' Twilight Re...

  • Letters from the Dead synopsis, comments

    Letters from the Dead

    Sam Hurcom

    'Gothic, claustrophobic, and wonderfully dark' GUARDIAN on Sam Hurcom's Thomas Bexley novels...The next stifling, atmospheric gothic crime novel following one of the world's first ...

  • Murder at an Irish Christmas synopsis, comments

    Murder at an Irish Christmas

    Carlene O'Connor

    Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan’s holiday plans hit a sour note when murder rearranges the yuletide carols into unexpected eulogies . . .   This December in Kilbane, if you’re planni...

  • Cold Snap synopsis, comments

    Cold Snap

    Lindy Ryan

    A grieving mother and son hope to survive Christmas in a remote mountain cabin in Pennsylvania, in this chilling novella of dread, isolation and sinister spirits lurking in th...

  • The Bank That Lived a Little synopsis, comments

    The Bank That Lived a Little

    Philip Augar

    Based on unparalleled access to those involved, and told with compelling pace and drama, The Bank that Lived a Little describes three decades of boardroom intrigue at one of Britai...

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    Murder at an Irish Wedding

    Carlene O'Connor

    A celebrity wedding in a small Irish village goes from festive to funerary when the best man is murdered in this cozy mystery novel.   Any wedding is a big deal in the County ...

  • The List synopsis, comments

    The List

    Carys Jones

    Five names on a list. The first two are dead.The third is yours.A riproaring, addictive, intense and emotional thriller for fans of Lucy Foley, Ruth Ware, Phoebe Morgan, CL Taylor ...

  • The Silver Collar synopsis, comments

    The Silver Collar

    Antonia Hodgson

    SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA GOLD CROWN'A triumph . . . leaves the reader hungry for more' Andrew TaylorAutumn, 1728. Life is good for Thomas Hawkins and Kitty Sparks in their home abov...

  • The Affair synopsis, comments

    The Affair

    Gill Paul

    LOVE. GLAMOUR. SECRETS.Rome, 1961. As the cameras roll on Cleopatra, the world is transfixed by the love affair emerging between Hollywood’s biggest stars: Richard Burton and Eliza...

  • The Dark synopsis, comments

    The Dark

    Sharon Bolton

    ONCE, SHE SAVED HIS LIFE...NOW, HE'LL TAKE HERS.When a baby is snatched from its pram and cast into the river Thames, offduty police officer Lacey Flint is there to prevent disaste...

  • The Heavens Might Crack synopsis, comments

    The Heavens Might Crack

    Jason Sokol

    A vivid portrait of how Americans grappled with King's death and legacy in the days, weeks, and months after his assassination On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally ...

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    Elizabeth and Michael

    Donald Bogle

    Discover the unique, profound, and unlikely yet enduring friendship between two of the most prominent and beloved celebrities of all timeElizabeth Taylor and Michael Jacksonin this...

  • Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel synopsis, comments

    Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel

    Glenda Young

    'A perfect example of what cosy crime should be like drama, mystery and intrigue' Ginger Book GeekThe second in the pageturning cosy crime series from Glenda Young, this unputdown...

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    Tell Me Your Secret

    Dorothy Koomson

    'A gripping and pacy thriller with a clever, twisty plot' CLAIRE DOUGLAS 'Full of twists and Koomson's trademark heart and compassion' HEATPieta has a secret.Ten years ago, Pieta s...

  • Murder at an Irish Bakery synopsis, comments

    Murder at an Irish Bakery

    Carlene O'Connor

    Set in a charming Irish village, the latest in this cozy mystery series by USA Today bestselling author Carlene O’Connor (“queen of the cozy police procedural”Publishers Weekly) se...

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    They Found the Secret

    V. Raymond Edman

    Explore the lives of twenty Christian figures whose powerful testimonies and lives of service will inspire you to embrace Christ as the secret to abundant living.Written by V. Raym...

  • In Love with Hell synopsis, comments

    In Love with Hell

    William Palmer

    'Sympathetic and wonderfully perceptive . . . a heartbreaking read'NICK COHEN, Critic'Wise, witty and empathetic . . . outstanding'JIM CRACE'A fascinating treatment of the ageold p...

  • Murder at the Seaview Hotel synopsis, comments

    Murder at the Seaview Hotel

    Glenda Young

    'I loved this warm, humorous and involving whodunnit with its host of engaging characters and atmospheric Scarborough setting' CLARE CHASE'Just the heartwarming tonic readers need ...

  • Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel synopsis, comments

    Foul Play at the Seaview Hotel

    Glenda Young

    The third in the pageturning cosy crime series from Glenda Young, this unputdownable whodunnit is perfect for fans of Julia Chapman's Dales Detective Agency, Richard Osman's The Th...

  • Furious Love synopsis, comments

    Furious Love

    Sam Kashner & Nancy Schoenberger

    A tough Welshman, he was softened by the affections of a breathtakingly beautiful woman: she was a modernday Cleopatra madly in love with her own Mark Antony. For quarter of a cent...

  • Furious Love synopsis, comments

    Furious Love

    Sam Kashner & Nancy Schoenberger

    From veteran entertainment reporter Sam Kashner and biographer Nancy Schoenberger comes the definitive account of the greatest Hollywood love story ever toldthe romance of Elizabet...

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    Tudor Agent

    Robert Farrington

    1485: Richard III lies dead, and the Wars of the Roses are reaching a murderous endThe Battle of Bosworth Field is over, and Richard III's righthand man, Henry Morane, faces hangin...

  • Gone synopsis, comments

    Gone

    Leona Deakin

    WOMAN & HOME'S BEST THRILLER OF 2019'If you like a proper, twisty nervewracking thriller, here's one for you!'Emma Curtis, author of One Little MistakeFour strangers are missin...

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    Kraftwerk

    Tim Barr

    The future of modern music began in Dusseldorf in 1970, when an avantgarde German band, the Organisation reinvented themselves as Kraftwerk and set in motion a train of events whic...

  • Erotic Vagrancy synopsis, comments

    Erotic Vagrancy

    Roger Lewis

    'One of the very best biographies I have ever read' STEPHEN FRY'A hot thunderstorm of a book' DAVID HARE'Erotic Vagrancy gave me a week of pure joy' CRAIG BROWN'Unputdownable' TONY...

  • Murder in an Irish Bookshop synopsis, comments

    Murder in an Irish Bookshop

    Carlene O'Connor

    When a new bookstore in the County Cork Irish village of Kilbane closes the book on an author’s life, it’s up to Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan to resolve the story . . . Between trainin...

  • The Traitors of Bosworth synopsis, comments

    The Traitors of Bosworth

    Robert Farrington

    1487: Wars of the Roses are over, but for one man the battle burns onThe battle of Stoke Field is won. With the help of his spy and Richard III's onetime righthand man Henry Morane...

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    Brad and Angelina

    Chas Newkey-Burden

    Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are the bestknown and most talkedabout couple in the world. When they got together in 2005 it made headlines worldwide everyone wanted to know the ful...

  • All the Powers of Earth synopsis, comments

    All the Powers of Earth

    Sidney Blumenthal

    Lincoln’s incredible ascent to power in a world of chaos is newly revealed in this “compelling, original, and elegantly written” (Michael Beschloss, New York Times bestselling auth...

  • One Eye Open synopsis, comments

    One Eye Open

    Paul Finch

    If the lies don't kill you, the truth will An electrifying, highoctane thrill ride; the new mustread standalone from a Sunday Times bestseller. Dark, gritty and always at the edge...

  • Elizabeth Taylor, a Passion for Life synopsis, comments

    Elizabeth Taylor, a Passion for Life

    Joseph Papa

    From the time she appeared in National Velvet, the film that skyrocketed her to international fame at age twelve in 1944, until her death, Elizabeth Taylor's beauty, allure, and pe...

  • Murder in an Irish Churchyard synopsis, comments

    Murder in an Irish Churchyard

    Carlene O'Connor

    After joining the police force of her small Irish village, a local woman must investigate the murder of a stranger in this cozy mystery novel.   After solving two murders in t...

  • Richard Burton synopsis, comments

    Richard Burton

    Michael Munn

    The whirlwind life of one of old Hollywood’s biggest stars.From the depths of a small mining village in Wales to a star of Hollywood’s silver screen, Richard Burton broke every rul...

  • Murder in an Irish Village synopsis, comments

    Murder in an Irish Village

    Carlene O'Connor

    “If Janet Evanovich and Maeve Binchy wrote a book together, [this] would be the result . . . Siobhán O’Sullivan is a character to savor.”Laurien Berenson, author of ...

  • The Promise synopsis, comments

    The Promise

    Emma Heatherington

    A love story that will break your heart. Perfect for fans of Karen Swann.‘Gripping’ Bella‘We defy you not to have an ugly cry when reading’ Belfast Telegraph ‘A heartrending tale’ ...

  • The American Story synopsis, comments

    The American Story

    David M. Rubenstein

    Cofounder of The Carlyle Group and patriotic philanthropist David M. Rubenstein takes readers on a sweeping journey across the grand arc of the American story through revealing con...

  • Elizabeth and Monty synopsis, comments

    Elizabeth and Monty

    Charles Casillo

    Violeteyed siren Elizabeth Taylor and classically handsome Montgomery Clift were the most gorgeous screen couple of their time. Over two decades of friendship they made, separately...