Hells Angels-style biker gangs signing up former squaddies after David Crawford death

It comes after three Bandidos’ Plymouth chapter members were convicted of the manslaughter of a rival biker, David Crawford

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Hells Angels-style biker gangs are recruiting combat-ready ex squaddies in a bid to boost their ranks. It comes after three ex-servicemen who joined a chapter of the notorious Bandidos were found guilty of killing a biker in May of last year after he was seen on their “patch.”

The Bandidos’ Plymouth chapter members Benjamin Parry, 42, Chad Brading, 36, and Thomas Pawley, 32, were sentenced to prison for the manslaughter of 59-year-old David Crawford.

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The grandfather, of the Cornwall-based Red Chiefs, was hit from behind by a van on the A38 on-slip at the St Budeaux interchange. He was pinned under the van and dragged underneath until Parry turned off at the next junction, almost 1km away. as reported by the Daily Star, a former detective in the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, who asked not to be named, stated that biker gangs represent “a big draw” for struggling veterans.

He said: “People who have fought for their country possess all the attributes biker gangs prize.” One Afghanistan vet told the Daily Star how he joined a chapter of the Bandidos. He said: “I was struggling with my mental health and severely lacking any kind of direction or purpose.

“There were a few things I had to do to show my worth – let’s just say you have to earn their trust. It’s now a common path for ex-squaddies. You get a sense of being part of something again.”

**The “colours”, motorbike jacket and vest worn by Mr Crawford after he had been dragged under Parry’s van along the A38** (Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)

A Home Office pathologist’s statement released earlier this month noted how his black motorbike helmet was “eroded flat” on the left side. In addition, abrasions and laceration were found of varying severity to his head, neck, both arms, torso, and both legs.

Internally his chest had suffered multiple rib fractures and both his lungs had suffered multiple punctures, caused by the fractured ribs. Mr Crawford suffered lacerations across the right side of the heart. He also suffered tears to his liver and spleen as well as three fractures to his pelvis. The pathologist said this injury could be accounted for if the wheel of the van had driven over his torso.

Source: Plymouth Herald