Just a Boy: The True Story of a Stolen Childhood

by Richard McCann

One October night in 1975 Richard, aged five, was alone in the house with his three sisters. It was 3am and their mother hadn't come home yet. The next morning, the police arrived to take the children away. Their mother had become the first victim of a serial killer soon to become known as the 'Yorkshire Ripper'. Passed from one violent home to another, the children were forgotten by all except the press. As the salacious headlines multiplied, Richard and his sisters were never able to recover from their mother's murder. Without love or support, they spiralled away from help or happiness. Then one day Richard, having reached suicidal rock bottom, decided no one was going to rescue their lives but him. It was the beginning of an inspirational transformation. Now he is able to tell the story of how the forgotten children of violence suffer, and how they can heal.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Biography, Memoir, Autobiography, Abuse, True Story

307 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Hara Drakou · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly heart breaking yet inspiring story. The author made sure to write such a personal story in a way that you can't easily put down the book. I was so sad throughout the book and always saying from the inside that it can't get possibly worse, but it did and then out of nowhere hope showed up and it really left me with mixed feelings of happiness and sadness. I really hope everyone included in the book has found a closure after so many years because their story is truly an example of how one incident can turn the lives of so many the other way around.

[Barbara Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! Telling the story of four children whose mother was the first victim of the Yorkshire Ripper. From Richard and his eldest sister, Sonia, going out early one morning to look for their Mum, Wilma, who had not returned home from a night out, walking past their Mum's violated body and not seeing her because of a misty morning to Richard growing up to turning his life around after an abusive childhood and an uncaring care system, his time in the Army, in prison after dealing and using drugs and trying to hold his family together after an abusive, drink riddled Dad, who dealt out punishment with his fists.

From dealing with the re-current reminders of Peter Sutcliffe throughout his early years, everytime his name was memtioned in the newspspers, tv and production companies wanting to make documentaries and other programmes about their life experiences. This first book closes where he gets help for his past and to deciding to write his first book, telling the McCann story and how their lives were affected by drink, drugs and abuse.

[Aubrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

very inspiring!

Life is not all beers and skittles. Blessed are those who see the light at the end of the darkest tunnel of their life. It is very hard to pluck up the courage to make a decision to finally make amends with the past and move on.

I know each of us are different but we still have something in common. It is the ability to choose between making our life miserable and making it anew.

[Chloe Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I have this book a 5 star rating there was times where I felt it dragged but I still couldn't Bring myself to stop reading! An amazingly powerful message (or some could argue messages) come from this book and has opened my eyes about how cruel the world actually can be!

Heartbreaking yet fascinating reading the facts of what goes on behind closed doors!

[Jorgen Lundgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A remarkable sad and powerful true story of a stolen childhood. Some parts hit close to home. Humans are creatures able to survive the most horrific events thrown at them.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tikra istorija... Tiek gyvenimo smūgių... Skausmo... Ir noras kabintis į gyvenimą. Tais laikais, apie kuriuos rašo knyga, vaikams augti tikrai buvo nelengva.

[The_5ft_reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sad, heartbreaking story 😪

[NORMAN JAMES LEITE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have rated this book a 5, not because it is a literary gem but because it digs deep into the pain that has impregnated the lives of the children. The reading is dry because the story is coarse. The question that sits with me is what impacted the lives of the children more. The male hate towards women in their home life or the murder of their mother at a young age? From an abusive father who deserted them, only to return after their mother’s murder to carry on his abuse, to abuse by men their mother brought home before her death. Sonia, the eldest, continues her life of abuse by living with men that continue the spiral, with two suicide attempts. Richard continues the abuse by his sexual endeavours with young women void of any respect. This behaviour by both siblings has little to do with the murder of the mother. The tale in this chapter of Sonia’s and Richard’s lives does end with rays of hope. A worthwhile read for you to see the dark side of reality. Fact is definitely more scary than fiction

[Kashaf Bin Shamim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a Boy is an emotionally powerful memoir that recounts Richard McCain's harrowing childhood. His life was forever altered when his mother, Wilma, became the first victim of the Yorkshire Ripper. Richard and his siblings, unaware of their mother's fate, returned home to find their house surrounded by police and a crowd.

After her murder, they were left with their alcoholic father and stepmother, enduring years of violence and neglect. Richard's teenage years were filled with further trauma, from an attempted sexual assault to his eventual involvement with drugs, which led to a year-long prison sentence. His sister Sonia also faced her own horrors, including sexual abuse by their mother's boyfriend, Keith.

Despite these dark experiences, Richard and Sonia eventually found healing. Richard's decision to write this memoir is a testament to their resilience.

The book was gripping and emotional, and I finished it in two sittings.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir of a hard life. Richard McCann was the young son of the Yorkshire Ripper's first victim, Wilma McCann, and inevitably his life fell apart after her death. It's a story of poverty and domestic violence, in which the lad and his siblings experience at first-hand the hardship of modern working class life; they're regularly abused by adult men, whether they be fathers, stepfathers, boyfriends, partners or random people off the street in one instance. Rape, drugs, alcoholism, prison and redemption play out in a tale filled with grief and sadness; it's a family saga that has a real page-turning quality thanks to the experiences related and the sheer unending misery of it all. My only real complaint is the quality of the ghost writing; it's limited with no artistry or character at all, just an unending description of facts and events, a 'telling' from beginning to end.

[Elle Gee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about the ongoing struggles of a boy and his three sisters, after their mother is murdered.
The parents are separated due to domestic violence, and the mother would go out drinking, leaving the children alone, the eldest one only seven years old.

We learn at the end of the book that the seven year old had been frequently raped by her mother's boyfriend.

The children's plight is compounded when they are subsequently raised in poverty by their drunken abusive father.

The author relates their misery (and some happy occasions) through the years, but also quite bravely exposes the poor decisions he himself made along the way. His efforts to surmount adversity, and his battle to overcome his childhood trauma makes for an interesting read.

[Linda Pow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard from reading your past sure brings in every emotion into the table and no wonder the world is changing tactics on looking more close at the children’s services to the men that murder to another child lost. What a great teacher you are and it’s now your sisters turn being left behind us that usual path. Look forward to there stories adding to Your list and for you all to live without money worries for the rest of your lives. Now looking at a hidden place called The real Yorkshire Ripper and watch those new activist investigators bringing in every scrap to make sure this history is never repeated to torture our souls. Thank you for sharing a very hardheart felt past

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an inspiring story of Richard and his sisters' struggle to deal with the tragic murder of their mother and how they coped through alcohol and drugs. Richard ultimately found the strength to change the destructive direction his life had taken and found stability. This book was written as a form of therapy.

I found the facts of his life to be compelling. However, the writing was choppy and a bit too repetitive at times. I'd give 5 stars for content but only 3 stars for writing style.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will always be one of my favourites.
After always having a huge interest in Peter Sutcliffe I just had to read this book by Richard McCann.

His experiences and trauma through the ordeal of losing his mum for her then to be known as Wilma McCann -the first victim of the Yorkshire ripper! They were forgotten by everyone other than the press.

Richard and his sisters were left alone at such young ages and had to face the world being passed from one violent home to the next.

I could write all day about this book with great passion as I could the other books by Richard McCann.

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard McCann is the only son to Wilma McCann, the first victim of the Yorkshire Ripper. This book is his memoir, and how that event shaped his life and the generational trauma Peter Sutcliffe left on his family, and presumably the other victims’ families too.

This book is an easy, quick read. The subject matter is dense and heartbreaking but it’s written in a factual way without lots of feelings so it didn’t feel heavy. I feel very sorry for him and his family, this is a story we don’t often hear in the media. The killer gets celebrity status whilst the victims family suffers in silence.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard McCann after being orphaned as a five year old along with his three sisters following the murder of their mother in 1975 was plunged into a life long abuse in the hands of their father affecting much of their growing years. They dealt with it their own separate ways mainly turning to drinking and drugs. It was the turning point in the authors life however after going through many therapies and counselling that is so inspiring. Richard reached many lows such as prison time and attempting suicide but managed to make a turn around. This is a worthwhile read.

[Anita Dent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that really makes you stop and think. A straightforward unembellished account of Richard McCanns life from the moment his mother became the first victim of the Yorkshire Ripper. He gives a raw account of his life and that of his siblings following her death. In an instant their childhoods are gone and replaced with abuse and emotional neglect, which leads them to make irrational choices in their lives which results in pain and a longing for love.

[Alison Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

Such a moving story of lost childhood could easily have become a tale of despair, but McCann has used this to bring hope to other survivors. I have heard him speak and the power of this was so emotional. So pleased he has found his voice and used it to save himself. I'm very much looking forward to the next chapter of his story.

[Janet Hollman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a Boy

So so sad. I have not really given much thought to how friends and families are affected. To have your mother murdered and forever having to cope with the aftermath. No help offered, just left to get on with it.
I hope they all find peace in some way. A heartbreaking story.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel almost guilty to give it a star rating because it feels like you are rating the horrific abuse that these children went through. Such a sad story. But Richard is so honest and it gives a real insight into the devastating ripple effects of domestic abuse, murder, child abuse. Like I say not an easy read but unfortunately a true reflection of the world we live in.

[danielle_sweeney89hotmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional Rollercoaster!!

Such a poignant yet frank book about Richards childhood. That family really were put through hell yet Richard finally put his insecurities & frustration toward making a positive future for himself. Amazing read!

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed (if that’s the right word) this Memoir....so very traumatic for those poor children. Will now look for the follow-up book.

[Joanne Aguilar-Millan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrowing read but well worth making the effort

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was such a sad story of a young boy loosing his mum to a serial killer and his harrowing spiral downhill and how he came back up fighting.

[Stephanie Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting! Richard is a very strong man to come through the way he was, despite his awful start in life.
I love reading books like this that end so well ☺️

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, but sad read. I did get frustrated with young Richard at times. But there's hope for every messed up life..

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartbreaking but inspirational account of the author's struggles to come to terms with his mother's murder and the impact this had on his and his siblings' lives.

[Emme Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I think it portrayed the murders well, especially with showing the contrasting emotions and reactions between everyone. I am excited to read the sequel. Would definitely recommend!!!

[Damsel_in_dupatta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, anxious and melancholic.
This is a story of a stolen childhood.
I hope nobody experiences suffering like this in their childhood.

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way it's told is a bit of a three but I so like how things went for Richard.

Took my time to read this as this is based on real events. I thought I should respect Richard by reading every word of every page. I don't really do that tbh, I am a lazy reader, I usually am impatient too. But the story was one hell of a life, and nobody should take this book too lightly.

Childhood

It was as if god said fuck everyone and especially these children. Richard's life as a child is tragic. A murdered mom, a father with not much damn to give, and a life of hardships. His only fortune is his older sister - Sonia, who played the mother's part for them.

Their mom was a victim of the Yorkshire reaper, the mad man who kills prostitute. Richard did not know whether to believe or not that his mother is a prostitute. Even in the end it wasn't clear if he made peace with this fact.

Growing up

It was obviously hard. He learned to smoke, but thank god he fell with good people. His friends were there to stop him with this ridiculous sniffing of glue as well. He got a lot of beating from his father, and due to pathetic reasons.

Later on Sonia moved out of the house and he felt alone.

In this part of his life he was also abused sexually by a man. In the last parts of this book, he revealed that even his sister Sonia was abused at a much younger age.

Adulthood

Well he was in a lot of mess, even though he went to join the military as well. He had affairs, he did drugs, went to prison, and got out. Later he was able to straighten out his life. However it was Sonia who had gotten worse. She could not control her drinking and drugs, and she is not being a good mom. She also became suicidal. But Richard was determined to be good, and be there for her as she had been there for him.



On the last pages the consistency was maintained. All these fuckeries were there because he lost his mom. His mom is a good mother, and with her gone, he got lost in track. He said that it was hard to see the news all the time, because even in after twenty years, the news was still all around.

I admire Richard. He is the living proof that no matter what happens, if you have the will, you can straighten out your life.