Mark Brandon Read

Case record: Mark Brandon “Chopper” Read

Other details

Mark Brandon “Chopper” Read (born 17 November 1954) was an Australian ex-convict, author, and celebrity.

He was described as a Member of “The Overcoat Gang” and as a self-described vigilante slayer of criminals.

Read was born to an ex-army father and a mother who was a devout Seventh-day Adventist. He was placed in a children’s home for the first five years of his life. He grew up in the Melbourne suburbs of Collingwood, Thomastown, Fitzroy and Preston. He was bullied at school, and by the age of 15 he claimed that he had been on the “losing end of several hundred fights”. His father, usually on his mother’s recommendation, beat him often as a child.

Read was made a Ward of the State by the age of 14. As a teenager, he was placed in several mental institutions, where he later claimed he was subjected to electroshock therapy.

By his mid-teens, Read was already an accomplished street fighter and the leader of the Surrey Road gang.

He was made the nickname “Chopper” long before later prison events, from a childhood cartoon character.

Read claimed to have been involved in the killing of 19 people and in a further 11 attempts. Many of his associates in the underworld claimed that Read was prone to making up numbers to increase his own notoriety and the sales of his books. Read stated that he would “never let the truth get in the way of a good yarn.”

Read allowed use of his name to Australia’s heaviest alcoholic lager called “Chopper Heavy”. The beer was produced in Rutherglen, Victoria, a town associated with Australia’s most notorious outlaw, Ned Kelly.

Read made public comment about a number of criminal cases, including the Ivan Milat backpacker murder and the Port Arthur massacre. He frequently appeared on radio and television talk shows to promote his books and discuss his views on many issues. For a short period of time, he also had a column in Ralph magazine. He was a regular columnist for the British magazine FHM. He currently had a column in Zoo Weekly.

His success in selling tales of his criminal past and attempts by other criminals to do likewise prompted widespread calls to amend the Federal Proceeds of Crime Bill (2001)—which confiscates the proceeds of drug deals and robberies—to also apply to indirect proceeds of crime, including book sales, TV appearances, and the like.

Read described his political beliefs as “to the right of Genghis Khan”. In his book Chopper 2, he listed American conservative G. Gordon Liddy and Bruce Ruxton as political heroes. Bruce Ruxton was described as a critic of Australia’s immigration policies and leader of the Victorian RSL.

A fictionalized version of Read was featured in several sketches on The Ronnie Johns Half Hour. Some sketches, including “Harden The F*ck Up!”, gained a cult following among Read’s fans in Australia and across the world.

Chopper was portrayed by Heath Franklin. Read praised Franklin’s exaggerated impression, and he believed that Franklin was impersonating Eric Bana’s film portrayal of Chopper rather than Read himself.

Science fiction author William Gibson based a character (Keith Blackwell) in the final two books of his Bridge trilogy on Read. In the second book of the trilogy, Idoru, Gibson wrote in his acknowledgments:

“Anything I know about the toecutting business, I owe to the criminal memoirs of Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read (Chopper from the inside, Sly Ink, Australia, 1991). Mr. Read is a great deal scarier than Blackwell, and has even fewer ears.”

In a section titled “Never Plead Guilty”, Read wrote:

“I am Mark Brandon Read, but most characters like to call me "Chopper." There are a few obscure theories as to how I got my nickname, some reckon it is from an old cartoon, some say it is because I use to cut off the toes of others, while there are those that say it is because I had someone cut my ears off in jail. Maybe they are all right! Maybe they are all wrong! Who really cares. For the record, it is because someone cut my ears off when I was in Melbourne's elite bluestone college - more commonly known as Pentridge. For some insane reason, some upstanding members of that institution were out to hurt me. I summoned all my manners to politely suggest to the screws that I be transfered from H division. They declined and said there was no way I would be getting a transfer, so I made the simple decision that ears off = transfer. Believe me, it works. Note - For those that think this webpage is going to cover all the little intricate details and stories of my love, that I have told in my book...keep dreaming. If you want to know details about my life and why I am what I am, I suggest that you buy my books. I haven't busted my hump for hour upon hour just to shoot myself in the foot now and give it all to you for free. No, no, no, that would be quite ridiculous. Instead, this site will be my initial foray into the cyberworld. Here I can sell products and provide you with details of what is happening in my immediate life. It is my international address, my very own "Chopper command centre" if you will. Now the Chopper movie is another little fable which in principle resembles my life. It is a mixture of fact and fiction and at times a bit of friction, but one character from that movie does exist. His name is Nevile Bartos. Now I have known Neville for 25 years. Neville has saved my hide numerous times and without doubt if he hadn't been around, I wouldn't either. I know that Melbourne has its hard and tough men, as does every other place in the world, but this man is the "THE KING". Now Neville is an Albanian and for those of you with a little knowledge about war, you would know that the Russians for many years, used Albanians as their assassins. These people are totally loyal and totally dangerous. Let's just say Neville is no exception. Neville "gold shoes" Bartos, what an old chestnut. I don't want to step on any toes , but as the name suggests this man has done to attire, what Jack the Ripper did to late night shopping. I mean, any more gold on this mans shoes, and it would be Australia's second goldrush. I don't know to whom he poses the greatest threat, to certain individuals or to the fashion industry. His fashion sense, shoes particularly, are...well.....interesting to say the least! Below is a little photo of my home for many years. Coburg's very own Bluestone College. Now this was a true institution, bigger than Eton, Oxford or Harvard. This was excrutiatingly hard work. I have lived a different life of sorts. I am 48 years old and have spent 23 years in jail. A movie based on my life, funnily enough called Chopper, was made in 2000. Since my last visit as a guest of her Royal Majesty in Tasmania's "Big House" Risdon Prison, I have entered my "second life." This has seen me unload my guns (including pistol, shotgun and a few childish goodies such as gellagnite and grenades), empty my holsters and make the obvious and common step of turning from Australia's most notorious underworld hitman (....alleged.....) to an international media mogul of sorts. As Australia's most-credentialed crime novelist I have released 10 best selling crime books, 1 childrens book, made a television commercial for the Pedestrian Council of Australia which won a Gold Lion at the Cannes International Festival, have done numerous television and radio interviews and I have released my own music CD's - including the latest rap extravaganza - Machete. Please allow me to add - I have also had my portrait entered into the Archibald Prize 4 years running - Who said crime doesn't pay. I now have two things in common with Van Gogh. My books are also the most shoplifted in Australia - quite a unique little honor. For now.......Via Con Dios, Amigos. “My History” ChopperRead.com My early days were spent in the northern Melbourne suburbs of Thomastown, Preston and Collingwood. I was never the toughest kid at school, often being bullied and bashed, but this only strengthened my resolve. From being stood over, to becoming the standover man, my my, what a change. Evolution I suppose. As a little tacker I was given repeated shock and drug therapies to correct a learning difficulty. Did this tame a monster or create a monster? Neither because I am not a monster. Killed 19, hurt many, caused much property damage - I have never hurt any innocent characters. This should be remembered. … In terms of a crime that brought me to the public attention, the 1987 shooting of the drug dealer, Siam "Sammy the Turk" Ozerkam, outside Bojangles Nightclub in St Kilda, Melbourne, is an out and out winner. … I have often been heard likening myself to a leopard. They never changes their spots, they just get older. My spots haven't changed, I have just gotten older and the spots have slightly faded. I'll never change. I'll always be the same person I always was. It’s just that I don't do the things I used to do. … “I've pulled the shotty out and gone bang and it's bye, bye Turk.” … I often ask if you have heard of the "Chopper Read amendments" to both the New South Wales and Victorian laws. … “You have to have tried something to be able to say you hate it.” …” “When I was in prison… I got slashed in the face… my ears cut off…..my eyebrows trimmed and a butcher's knife here, an icepick here - NOT FUN AT ALL, etc… If you drink and drive and you're unfortunate enough to hit somebody, you ought to pray to God that you don't go to prison.” “I ran to the panel beaters and grabbed a steel pipe and he jumped into a car and nicked off.””

The offence

Read was described as a participant in violence associated with “The Overcoat Gang” and as someone who began his criminal career by robbing drug dealers. He later carried out kidnapping and torturing members of the criminal underworld. The narrative described him using a blowtorch or bolt cutters to remove the toes of his victims before killing them, and it stated this resulted in the slang term “Toecutter”, used for Headhunters.

Read claimed that he was serving a 17-year sentence after attacking a judge in an effort to get Loughnan released from prison. He also claimed he served two years for GBH starting in 1978 after attacking a local pimp and drug pusher who was attempting to force a 13-year-old schoolgirl into prostitution. He claimed: “It was worth it.”

The narrative described an alleged prison ambush in which Read was ambushed and stabbed by members of his own gang in a sneak attack. It stated he lost several feet of bowel and intestine in the attack.

One theory in the narrative stated that James “Jimmy” Loughlan and “Blue” wished to benefit from a contract put on Chopper’s head by the Dockers. It also stated that Jimmy Loughnan was a longtime friend of Read. Another statement in the narrative indicated that the ambush occurred when the gang felt his plan to cripple every other inmate in the entire division and win the gang war in one fell swoop was going too far.

Read was described as having been convicted of crimes including armed robbery, firearm offenses, assault and kidnapping. The narrative also stated: “I have been convicted of armed robberies, a shooting, assault and kidnapping a judge.”

The narrative also referenced a stabbing incident in relation to a claim about being stabbed seven times: Read wrote that he “did get stabbed seven times” and that “that stabbing scene was very true because you don't feel the wound right away.”

Read also described the 1987 shooting of a drug dealer, Siam “Sammy the Turk” Ozerkam, outside Bojangles Nightclub in St Kilda, Melbourne. Read wrote:

The narrative asserted that the shooting was not “cold-blooded murder”, and it stated Read characterized it as self-defence.

Investigation

Read was questioned by detectives at Richmond CIU after an alleged incident in Johnson St, Collingwood on December 15, 2008. He was released without charge. His alleged attacker was not found.

Read described the incident involving a tomahawk-wielding man he claimed he had never met before. He stated: “I ran to the panel beaters and grabbed a steel pipe and he jumped into a car and nicked off.” He suffered a minor injury to his arm after being hit with the blunt end of the tomahawk.

Arrest

No separate arrest event was stated beyond being questioned by detectives at Richmond CIU.

Trial

No specific trial proceedings, courts, or verdict names were provided in the record text.

Sentencing

The record stated that Read served 20+ years for assault and other felony counts and that he was released from prison in July 1997.

It also stated that Read served a 17-year sentence after attacking a judge in an effort to get Loughnan released from prison.

The narrative further stated he was serving a 17-year sentence after attacking a judge and that he was made a Ward of the State and placed in mental institutions as a teenager.

It stated that Read was imprisoned in Pentridge prison’s H division in the late 1970s.

It also stated that Read was held in maximum security indefinitely after he was deemed to be a dangerous criminal. It stated that in 1998 his dangerous criminal tag was overturned and Mary-Anne and he moved to a farmhouse at Richmond, Tasmania.

Appeals

No appeal history was stated in relation to a specific case in the provided text.

Outcome

Read was released from prison in July 1997 after serving 20+ years for assault and other felony counts.

Aftermath

After his prison release, Read began writing and publishing.

He released his first book, Chopper: From the Inside, which was collected from letters he sent while incarcerated in Melbourne’s Pentridge Prison and published in 1991. The record stated that the book contained tales and anecdotes of his criminal and prison exploits.

It stated he began writing fictional tales based on his experiences of criminal life with Chopper 5: Pulp Faction.

Attempts were made to ban a children’s book written by Read titled Hooky the Cripple.

The 2000 film Chopper, starring Eric Bana as Read, was based on stories from Read’s books and independent research, leading to events portrayed on screen that contradicted Read’s version of events. The record included an example that Read claimed he was vehemently against drugs in early books while the film portrayed him as a casual drug user; Read responded: “You have to have tried something to be able to say you hate it.”

It stated that Bana agreed to play Read again in the sequel to Chopper. Read refused to deny reports that he would have a cameo in the film.

Read embarked on a tour of Australia in 2005 performing shows titled “I'm Innocent with Mark "Jacko" Jackson”. It also stated he toured Sydney in a stage show with a new co-star, former Detective Roger “The Dodger” Rogerson.

In 2001, Read was featured in an advertisement on behalf of the Pedestrian Council of Australia warning of the dangers of drunk driving.

In 2006, Read appeared in another commercial speaking out against domestic violence.

On 13 March 2006, he released a rap album titled Interview with a Madman. The record also stated he appeared in the 2002 Australian comedy Trojan Warrior.

Read was seated at a kitchen table undoing his shirt and pointing to scars and injuries while speaking in a quotation. The quote included:

Read also spoke about his hepatitis C and health status. It stated that he contracted Hepatitis C during his time in prison through using a blood-stained shaver. In March 2008, he revealed he only had two to five years to live and required a liver transplant, which he refused, saying he did not want to take away a liver from a more deserving recipient.

Personal life

Read married Australian Taxation Office employee Mary-Ann Hodge in 1995 while imprisoned in Risdon Prison in Tasmania for the shooting of his friend Sidney Collins. The marriage produced one child, Charlie. They later divorced in 2001.

On 19 January 2003, Read married long-time friend Margaret Cassar. They had one son, Roy Brandon.

The record also stated that Read moved to a farmhouse at Richmond, Tasmania with Mary-Anne after the dangerous criminal tag was overturned in 1998.

Bibliography and discography

Books

• Chopper: From the Inside (1991), ISBN 0-646-06543-2
• Chopper 2: Hits and Memories (1992), ISBN 0-646-10987-1
• Chopper 3: How to Shoot Friends & Influence People (1993), ISBN 0-646-15444-3
• Chopper 4: For the Term of His Unnatural Life (1994), ISBN 0646210149
• Chopper 5: Pulp Faction: Revenge of the Rabbit Kisser and Other Jailhouse Stories (1995), ISBN 0-646-25065-5
• Chopper 6: No Tears for a Tough Guy (1996), ISBN 0-646-29637-X
• Chopper 7: The Singing Defective (1997), ISBN 0-646-33923-0
• Chopper 8: The Sicilian Defense (1998), ISBN 0-9586071-0-9
• Chopper 9: The Final Cut (1999), ISBN 0-9586071-4-1
• Chopper 101⁄2: The Popcorn Gangster (2001), ISBN 0-9579121-0-2
• Hooky the Cripple: The Grim Tale of a Hunchback Who Triumphs (2002), ISBN 1-86403-165-4
• The Adventures of Rumsley Rumsfelt (2003), ISBN 0-9579121-7-X
• Chopper 11: Last Man Standing: From Ex-Con to Icon (2007)

Music

• Interview with a Madman (2006)

Timeline

• 1991 — Chopper: From the Inside was published.
• 19 January 2003 — Read married Margaret Cassar.
• 2001 — Read was featured in an advertisement on behalf of the Pedestrian Council of Australia warning of the dangers of drunk driving.
• 2002 — Read appeared in the Australian comedy Trojan Warrior.
• 13 March 2006 — Read released a rap album titled Interview with a Madman.
• December 15, 2008 — Read was questioned by police about an alleged incident in Johnson St, Collingwood; he was released without charge.
• July 1997 — Read was released from prison.
• March 2008 — Read revealed he only had two to five years to live and required a liver transplant, which he refused.

Other criminal-justice details mentioned

Read was described as having a criminal career including robbing drug dealers in massage parlours in the Prahran area, launching a prison war while in Pentridge prison’s H division in the late 1970s, and being involved in several hundred acts of violence against a larger opposing gang during that period.

The narrative included a claim that a fellow inmate cut both of Read’s ears off to leave H division temporarily. It stated that Read’s early biographies claimed the cutting-off was to avoid an ambush by other inmates, while his later works stated he did it to “win a bet”.

It also included a claim that several other members of Read’s gang also cut off their own ears in a similar fashion after this incident.

The narrative further stated that Read was transferred at some point to the mental health wing, and it described the reason given by his early biographies and later works.

It stated that Read was made a Ward of the State by age 14 and placed in several mental institutions as a teenager.

It stated that Read had a history of electroshock therapy.

It described that when Read was in jail in 1990, he wrote a note to journalist Mr John Silvester after Silvester wrote a derogatory article about Read in Melbourne’s “The Age” newspaper. It stated the note wished Silvester a merry Christmas and expressed hope that his house would burn down.

It stated that Read wrote around 300 letters in eight months to Mr Silvester, and Silvester and his colleague Andrew Rule edited these letters to create Read’s first book.

It stated that Read was recruited by “some character from Black Flys sunglasses” to help promote products in Australia.

It also stated that, in prison, Read made others chew razor blades while he ate their food, and that he was alleged to use a blowtorch on feet so that they smelled like a cross between burnt hair and roast pork.

It referenced an alleged attack record at Pentridge: “in five years at Pentridge, I was alleged, to have attacked 63 men and tried to kill 11.”

It described an incident in 1979 where his stomach was slit by convicted murderer Greg “Bluey” Brazel during a prison brawl, and that Read burst his stitches doing push ups the next day to get fit enough for a revenge attack on Brazel.

It described an episode after he was freed from jail in 1986 where he began demanding money from fellow criminals and claimed he used gelignite strapped to his chest to threaten to blow both up if they did not pay up, and that he claimed it always worked.

It described a legal and personal narrative around Sid Collins: in 1992, the former president of the Victorian Outlaws Sid Collins was shot in the stomach with a 9mm bullet at point-blank range. Read claimed he was shocked that Collins claimed Read had pulled the trigger. The narrative stated that Read’s lawyer claimed Collins framed Read because the real gunman was a fellow motorcycle gang member, and that as a result Read was sent to jail again. The narrative also stated that Sid has now been murdered.

It described an incident in 1995: after a year-long engagement, Read married Mary-Ann Hodge while in Risdon.

It described a move in 1998: the dangerous criminal tag was overturned, and Mary-Anne and he moved to a farmhouse at Richmond, Tasmania.

It described a split in 2001: the marriage broke up, and it said life in Tasmania was too slow for Read, and he left with only the clothes on his back and enough money to get out of Tasmania.

It described that Read returned to Melbourne and later married Margaret Casser on 19 January 2003.

It included an “ironies” statement where Read wrote that he had his stomach slit by Greg “Bluey” Brazel in 1979, and also that he used to get transfers by making ears off = transfer.

It also described the allegation that in prison Read made others chew razor blades while he ate their food and claimed he learned to read and write in prison.

Published and commercial media mentions

The record stated that a 2000 movie based on Read’s life was made and was called Chopper, starring Eric Bana as Read.

It stated that Read’s books sold in excess of 500,000 copies.

It stated that he also found success as a recording artist.

It stated that Read’s second rap extravaganza album was “Machete”.

It stated that Read’s portrait was entered into the Archibald Prize for four years running.

It stated that his books were “the most shoplifted in Australia”.

It stated that he made a television commercial for the Pedestrian Council of Australia which won a Gold Lion at the Cannes International Festival.

It stated that Read compared himself to Van Gogh and discussed “crime doesn't pay” in connection with the movie.

It stated that Read’s film portrayals and his refusals to deny cameo reports involved the sequel to Chopper.

Quotes included

The record included the following verbatim statements by Read:

• “It was worth it.”
• “It was worth it.”
• “never let the truth get in the way of a good yarn.”