User:Richie 'Taz' Williams/sandbox

= Richie Williams = Richie ‘Taz’ Williams was born in Whakatane, New Zealand in June or July 1984.

Early life
Taz’s father, Shane, of European and Maori heritage, was a mechanic and small time crook for the Mongrel Mob, one of New Zealand’s criminal gangs. He was beaten to death by members of rival gang Black Power over a land dispute when Taz was 14. His mum, Carla, of German descent, had been a heavy drinker from a young age and died from throat cancer two years later. Taz and his two older brothers was subsequently raised by his aunt who would systematically beat them.

Taz’s teenage years were marked by repeat offending. Fighting, car thefts and drug dealing saw him in and out of numerous detention centres across the north of New Zealand. It was his large chest and his violent and rapid punching during fights that earned him the nickname Taz after the cartoon character. He was expelled from Christian outreach program ‘Man-Up’ after assaulting the staff.

Prison
In 2007 he was charged with GBH and sentenced to 4 years in prison for his part in the beating of 55 year-old gang leader Jono Jones in the Rotorua area. A group including Taz, armed with metal bars, set upon Jones whilst he was having lunch with his family at a lakeside cafe. Jones suffered severe brain damage and requires 24hr care for the rest of his life.

During the four year spell in prison, Taz was spotted by a Muay Thai coach who saw potential in him. Though a capable fighter, Taz did not have the required discipline, often breaking the rules and headbutting and biting his opponents in prison organized competitions.

Merchant navy
In the same period, a fellow inmate told Taz about the merchant navy. Taz had never heard of it but following his release in 2011, he went straight to Tauranga, New Zealand’s largest port to try to get on any ship he could. After three week’s sleeping rough in the port perimeter, Taz eventually secured a berth on an oil tanker. He started off as a deck hand, doing odd jobs around but ended up working galleys after he made one of his mum’s curry recipes and his master at the time, Captain Moore, loved it.

Various crew over the years have remarked on Taz’s fierce loyalty and adherence to the code of hierarchy on board. He has made several journeys under Captain Moore, the captain often requesting him by name.

Personal life
Taz is Single. He has three children to three different women on three different continents.