June 14, 2024

Viv Graham: 4. Door Wars

28 minutes

It’s the summer of 1989 and the atmosphere on Tyneside is febrile. The economy is shrinking and tumbling towards recession but at the same time the nightlife is bouncing. And among the criminal underworld battles are raging to control the supply of drugs into pubs and clubs. Viv Graham is right in the firing line and danger lurks on every corner.

This episode tracks Viv Graham as he linked up with a member of the notorious Sayers crime firm. Graham was recruited to lead a vicious gang attack on another nightclub bouncer called Stu Watson. Graham pounded Watson with a relentless barrage of punches which left his victim bloodied and dazed. Stu Watson told presenter Livvy Haydock he was powerless to defend himself because he feared he would have been killed if he did.

What nobody knew was the club was under police surveillance as part of a drugs operation. The whole savage incident was recorded on CCTV and witnessed by undercover officers. Moments after the attack, Graham was arrested and later sentenced to three years in jail. Graham’s spell inside was every bit as colourful as his life on the streets of Tyneside. On one occasion he earned widespread acclaim for single-handedly quelling a riot but on another he swallowed a lump of cannabis which had been smuggled in to the prison. Viv Graham was said to have slept for days. It would be the only respite he’d be getting because dark clouds were forming.

Presenter – Livvy Haydock

Series Producer – Ben Robinson

Technical Producer – Richard Hannaford

Producer – Patrick Kiteley

Archive Researcher – Jackie Mccoy

Journalism Assistant – Tim Fernley

With assistance from Jamie Boyle

Commissioning Executive – Louise Kattenhorn

Assistant Commissioner – Lorraine Okuefuna & Sarah Green

Editor and Executive Producer – Clare Fordham

Archive credits:

Nick Manners v Joe Calzaghe boxing commentary - Eurosport.