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A Fair Cop
A Fair Cop [Hardcover] Bunting, Michael
- GenresNonfictionAutobiography
343 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2008
6 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 6, 2013
I just finished reading A Fair Cop, and the tears are still in my eyes. The book details how Michael dealt with being a policeman wrongfully sentenced to prison, where at any moment the inmates could discover his occupation and try to kill him. For defending himself against a violent drunk who repeatedly punched Michael's head and jaw - knocking pieces of his teeth out - Michael should never have been put in prison. The book is structured well and is extremely emotionally engaging. Every time Michael broke down and sobbed, I felt for him. Michael captures his state of utter despair from which his brilliant writing was born. His honesty and warm personality shine through the ever-present darkness and danger. It exposes the justice system as a Kafkaesque fantasy world in which corruption and political agendas override the facts of a case. I hope to read more from Michael.
July 15, 2013
Not bad, really was a miscarriage of justice and a frighting story of our failed judicial system, but a lot of whining for only 30 days in jail.
February 9, 2014
He seems like bit of a pussy
February 21, 2021
In the first chapter he was falsely claiming the Ointment were violent drugs gang from West Yorkshire who chopped a man's arm off because he owed them money and how he was now in their territory after seeing their graffiti in the cells. They are not a drugs gang, they are football hooligans and the amputation claim is a lie. This made it difficult to read the rest of his book to me as I was instantly wondering what else he was lying about or exaggerating.
I read through the next few chapters about his police training, dealing with suicides, Bradford riot 1, etc and got bored so stopped reading and donated it to the charity shop.
Looking at other reviews, some people like it but it's not my cup of tea. It might have got more interesting later but I put it down qnd picked up something more interesting
I read through the next few chapters about his police training, dealing with suicides, Bradford riot 1, etc and got bored so stopped reading and donated it to the charity shop.
Looking at other reviews, some people like it but it's not my cup of tea. It might have got more interesting later but I put it down qnd picked up something more interesting
May 10, 2021
An okay read. The storyline itself is obviously a true one so it's interesting to read how one night changes this guys life. But the book itself was repetitive - him worrying that other people would find out he's a cop and what would happen if they did seemed to be on every 2nd page and nothing much happened when the odd person did find out. He writes as though he lost a year of his life when really it was only a very short period of time.
The ending them seemed incredibly rushed.
I think the man himself is great and has showed good resilience, however the book just didnt do it for me.
The ending them seemed incredibly rushed.
I think the man himself is great and has showed good resilience, however the book just didnt do it for me.
June 3, 2024
I can understand the angst of a police officer spending time in gaol.
I have a lingering doubt about his depiction of the incident that lead to him being charged. On the face of it the comparison of punishment of the author and the other party is extraordinary. My doubt is compounded by his termination from the police.
I have a lingering doubt about his depiction of the incident that lead to him being charged. On the face of it the comparison of punishment of the author and the other party is extraordinary. My doubt is compounded by his termination from the police.
September 30, 2018
Shocking injustice
It is hard to believe the punishment meted out to Michael Bunting. Well written and emotive at times he did well to come out of it so positive. Our 'law system' is a complete joke. Well worth reading.
It is hard to believe the punishment meted out to Michael Bunting. Well written and emotive at times he did well to come out of it so positive. Our 'law system' is a complete joke. Well worth reading.
May 25, 2020
I felt for Michael in every step of this book.
January 21, 2021
Very good book - highly recommend
September 17, 2021
Liked this book, without giving too much away I really did sorry for PC Bunting, considering everything the Police have to go through, for what happened was really unfair!
March 29, 2023
Really enjoyed the honesty of this book. You could feel the story lifting from the page
August 28, 2025
So so good but equally angers you and makes you hate the justice system more than you probably do!
July 15, 2025
This book BOILED MY PISS. This poor police officer was wrongly convicted, again because of a broken justice system. Reading it my jaw dropped at how dodgy the Judge in the case was. I was happy to read that the officer did not let this awful case of mis-justice break him.
July 8, 2012
This book was nothing short of incredible.
There have been moments recently where I have felt that there was a certain conspiracy; injustice, or general malevolence aimed at myself and the people that I hold dear. I could never put my finger on it as "it" seemed to emanate from everyone and everything no matter how "good" their intentions. It sounds sinister and / or paranoid, but "it" has felt very real to me.
I have been unable to determine how best to cope. However, this book, and PC Bunting's story have certainly put things into perspective, and I feel stronger as a result of the stunning story the vile injustice the befell PC Bunting. The subsequent manner in which he has conducted himself as a serving Police Officer; inmate, and Author / Lecturer is a lesson for us all. His narrative of Resurrection is awe-inspiring.
Every chapter is written in a manner that is both compelling and chilling. You are placed alongside the Author as he navigates through his Police career; Prison, and eventual release. Access to his thoughts and fears at every stage is also permitted, as are accounts of his physical deterioration. Despite this blend, it still does not make the trial or the Judges' conduct any more intelligible, and leaves you staring blankly into the abyss dubbed "luck of the draw" which affects us all on a daily basis.
The term "Hero" is used almost everyday, to the point that it has lost any useful meaning. However, I believe that this account, of one aspect of one man's injustice, to be one of the most heroic stories ever told. The Author's account is accessible to all. A dilligent and professional individual that lost everything that he worked for at the hands of people / systems that conspired against him. He sought and found strength in faith which helped him survive the brutality of the reality that was thrust upon him, and by way of a supportive family and some unlikely support from knowing and unknowing inmates within the Prison system, was permitted a fresh start to rebuild his life.
Our individual stories may be more or less dramatic than the account provided by PC Bunting. But, the fight for daily susrvival against ever-increasing odds that we all face on a variety of levels, makes Michael Bunting's story of his personal and physical survival all the more powerful.
This work is truly motivational.
There have been moments recently where I have felt that there was a certain conspiracy; injustice, or general malevolence aimed at myself and the people that I hold dear. I could never put my finger on it as "it" seemed to emanate from everyone and everything no matter how "good" their intentions. It sounds sinister and / or paranoid, but "it" has felt very real to me.
I have been unable to determine how best to cope. However, this book, and PC Bunting's story have certainly put things into perspective, and I feel stronger as a result of the stunning story the vile injustice the befell PC Bunting. The subsequent manner in which he has conducted himself as a serving Police Officer; inmate, and Author / Lecturer is a lesson for us all. His narrative of Resurrection is awe-inspiring.
Every chapter is written in a manner that is both compelling and chilling. You are placed alongside the Author as he navigates through his Police career; Prison, and eventual release. Access to his thoughts and fears at every stage is also permitted, as are accounts of his physical deterioration. Despite this blend, it still does not make the trial or the Judges' conduct any more intelligible, and leaves you staring blankly into the abyss dubbed "luck of the draw" which affects us all on a daily basis.
The term "Hero" is used almost everyday, to the point that it has lost any useful meaning. However, I believe that this account, of one aspect of one man's injustice, to be one of the most heroic stories ever told. The Author's account is accessible to all. A dilligent and professional individual that lost everything that he worked for at the hands of people / systems that conspired against him. He sought and found strength in faith which helped him survive the brutality of the reality that was thrust upon him, and by way of a supportive family and some unlikely support from knowing and unknowing inmates within the Prison system, was permitted a fresh start to rebuild his life.
Our individual stories may be more or less dramatic than the account provided by PC Bunting. But, the fight for daily susrvival against ever-increasing odds that we all face on a variety of levels, makes Michael Bunting's story of his personal and physical survival all the more powerful.
This work is truly motivational.
January 30, 2009
This is one of my favourite types of books. The genre has many different names; a true life story, an autobiography, a memoir, non fiction and so on.
A Fair Cop is all of those and more. I fear this review will not do it justice. I have struggled to get into words the impact it has had on me.
Michael Bunting is a very skilled writer, the story grabbed hold of me from the first page and held me engrossed till the very last word. I wanted to read it all in one sitting but the words in A Fair Cop reminded me that it is important to let life get in the way of a book, no matter how interesting the reading may be.
A Fair Cop made me reassess my priorities, revaluate all the things that I held most dear. By the time I finished reading this magnificent book I had a strong urge to hold those I love nice and close but I also felt cleansed and somehow renewed.
Although this book contains one of the most harrowing, shocking tales I have read in the past few years, it is also filled with a raw insight into the ability of the power of 'good' to tuck itself away in places you'd least expect.
Michael Bunting had his eyes opened to this remarkable quality by being stripped of most things that he cherished. In this memoir he shares his new found insight.
Between the covers of this book are some twisted, crazy angry people, many painful insights into the raw emotional and physical brutality of human nature but also and most importantly there are unexpectedly beautiful insights into life, fear, love, hope and kindness.
There are some amazing characters in this book and the most impressive of all is the the author himself with this display of unpretentious inner strength. I suspect that he would want to disagree with that statement as what comes across on every page is the humility of this very talented author.
I am amazed that this is his debut novel and look forward to reading anything else he chooses to write.
I was very pleased to read that Michael is writing another book.
A Fair Cop is all of those and more. I fear this review will not do it justice. I have struggled to get into words the impact it has had on me.
Michael Bunting is a very skilled writer, the story grabbed hold of me from the first page and held me engrossed till the very last word. I wanted to read it all in one sitting but the words in A Fair Cop reminded me that it is important to let life get in the way of a book, no matter how interesting the reading may be.
A Fair Cop made me reassess my priorities, revaluate all the things that I held most dear. By the time I finished reading this magnificent book I had a strong urge to hold those I love nice and close but I also felt cleansed and somehow renewed.
Although this book contains one of the most harrowing, shocking tales I have read in the past few years, it is also filled with a raw insight into the ability of the power of 'good' to tuck itself away in places you'd least expect.
Michael Bunting had his eyes opened to this remarkable quality by being stripped of most things that he cherished. In this memoir he shares his new found insight.
Between the covers of this book are some twisted, crazy angry people, many painful insights into the raw emotional and physical brutality of human nature but also and most importantly there are unexpectedly beautiful insights into life, fear, love, hope and kindness.
There are some amazing characters in this book and the most impressive of all is the the author himself with this display of unpretentious inner strength. I suspect that he would want to disagree with that statement as what comes across on every page is the humility of this very talented author.
I am amazed that this is his debut novel and look forward to reading anything else he chooses to write.
I was very pleased to read that Michael is writing another book.
June 2, 2012
For many, miscarriages of justice belong in foreign countries where the judicial system is iffy and the policing methods outdated. A Fair Cop is the true story of a Leeds police officer attacked and injured on an August night in 1997. Two years later he found himself defending a charge of common assault at Leeds Crown Court. He was found guilty and received a four month prison sentence. Being an inmate in a prison is tough enough, being an innocent policeman in a prison is a hundred times worse.
The book gives graphic accounts of life behind bars for a policeman in one of England's hardest prisons as one by one the inmates turn on him.
His case is currently with The Criminal Case Review Commission as he fights to clear his name, and the second book is imminent. Well worth a read if you want a look at what it's like on the inside - uncensored. Additionally Michael Bunting offers sound advice to service police officers in covering your back - if anything the book is a wake up call of how it could be. Or how it could have been.
The book gives graphic accounts of life behind bars for a policeman in one of England's hardest prisons as one by one the inmates turn on him.
His case is currently with The Criminal Case Review Commission as he fights to clear his name, and the second book is imminent. Well worth a read if you want a look at what it's like on the inside - uncensored. Additionally Michael Bunting offers sound advice to service police officers in covering your back - if anything the book is a wake up call of how it could be. Or how it could have been.
April 17, 2025
This is a sad but fascinating story about a policeman getting charged with assault whilst just trying to do his job, I listened to a podcast interview with Michael, and I just wanted to find out more so I bought the book.
I read it in several days and it’s a great read, although some things he experienced in prison are not nice and quite harrowing, it’s a relief that he got through that situation, although he should never have been there in the first place!
I take good inspiration from stories like this, the podcast interview is on Spotify, modern mann ‘the cop who went to prison’ about halfway through, would definitely recommend that interview as well before reading.
I read it in several days and it’s a great read, although some things he experienced in prison are not nice and quite harrowing, it’s a relief that he got through that situation, although he should never have been there in the first place!
I take good inspiration from stories like this, the podcast interview is on Spotify, modern mann ‘the cop who went to prison’ about halfway through, would definitely recommend that interview as well before reading.
July 15, 2014
A thoroughly good read about a quite astonishing miscarriage of justice. The book follows PC Michael Bunting through his career, it shows how proud he and his family were, and how it was all undone by events which led to him being jailed! Its a frustrating read, not due to the quality of the book but because of his treatment. Bunting didn't waffle on unnecessarily, each chapter was relevant and the book is well worth a read!
February 14, 2013
This story is right on my doorstep, so local we drink in the same pub. A local bobby who has to deal with the day to day crimes on typical criminals. Then both his colleagues and the british justice system do the dirty on him and he ends up in jail for protecting his own life. His time in jail as a copper is, as you would expect a harrowing one.
March 4, 2011
Interesting read & gives an insight in to prison life that you wouldn't normally see, although is only one viewpoint of the system & a different one to the mainstream prison population
July 30, 2011
Great book, so very scary that this has ocurred. What a terrible life experience.
January 22, 2012
Review to follow
February 12, 2013
Gripping read, impossible to understand the fear the author would have been suffering from, and indeed the Law is an Ass.
July 28, 2014
I'm not really a fan of true stories but this one was ok
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October 22, 20148265744f-7984-4b30-bda4-bf10190a36bb
December 29, 2014
Yawn.....
July 15, 2020
Incredible insight into the true story of a police officer wrongly sentenced to four months; in one of Britain's notorious prisons. A wake-up call for us all regarding the UK judiciary system.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews