Stephen Bentley is a former police Detective Sergeant and barrister (trial attorney) from the UK. He is now a freelance writer and HuffPost UK blogger.His memoir Undercover: Operation Julie - The Inside Story is a frank account of his undercover detective experiences during Operation Julie - an elite group of detectives who in the 1970's successfully investigated one of the world's largest drugs rings. It has been said by the BBC that Operation Julie was the "start of the war on drugs." Another commentator called it "the spark that lit the war on drugs."It was an early undercover police operation that is still unique in the annals of crime investigation in the UK and serves as a reference point for covert police activities to this day. Stephen was a pioneer and forced to deal with the psychological impact of deep undercover work with no back-up or help.Stephen's book became an Amazon UK #1 Best seller in 2 categories and #2 in a third category.
Though a UK-based story, it has received numerous plaudits and five star reviews on both sides of "the pond.' There are plans to publish a second edition containing additional material.His writing draws upon his many life experiences including those as an undercover cop and trial lawyer. He spent a combined total of almost 30 years in those careers but has also worked in such diverse jobs as sales management, and as a truck driver, London motorcycle courier, hospital porter and operating industrial plant machinery for one of the world's largest water companies.He has travelled extensively particularly throughout S.E. Asia, including Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Stephen has also travelled throughout the United States and Australia where he indulges his love of riding motorcycles.
His first book, How to Drive Like an Idiot in Bacolod: An Expat's Experiences of Driving in the Philippines and How to Survive, deals with the road culture shock he endured in that country. It is written in his usual no-nonsense style with an infusion of humour.Stephen was born in Accrington, Lancashire, England but raised from an early age in Huyton, Liverpool. He is proud of his East Lancashire roots and equally proud to be considered as an "honorary Scouser.".