A CRIMINAL defence barrister who has worked in Bradford's crown court for 20 years has used his experiences to pen a legal thriller book.

Death By Dangerous, the first non-fiction thriller by top lawyer Olly Jarvis, is set at Bradford Crown Court.

The novel delves into the dark side of the law to tell the story of a criminal lawyer who faces the biggest trial of his life - from the dock. Character John Anderson, a prosecutor, loses his memory after a road accident and finds himself on trial for causing death by dangerous driving, with his search for truth drawing him into the criminal underworld.

Mr Jarvis, 48, who is based at barristers' chambers in Manchester but regularly represents clients at Bradford, said: "My experiences in Bradford have had a considerable influence on the book. The trial in the book takes place at Bradford Crown Court, and there is even a mention of the Bradford Club, where some of the judges go.

"I have defended clients at Bradford Crown Court for 20 years now and I know about the area."

The book has received reviews praising how it brings to life multi-ethnic tensions in the North-West.

Mr Jarvis said: "That is a feature of the book, along with the stereotyping of people, which is a factor of people's lives in Bradford."

Mr Jarvis, who is the son of renowned actor Martin Jarvis, has drawn on his professional legal specialism of death by dangerous driving for the novel.

He represented Paul Hemmingway, a 19-year-old speeding driver from Bradford, who killed an innocent young mum-of-two when he crashed into her car while racing another driver.

Mr Jarvis also represented accounts worker Julie Nickerson, who plundered more than £2 million from her employer, spending the money on a lavish lifestyle.

He said the characters in the book were not based on any barristers or judges in Bradford - contrary to speculation in the robing room.

He added: "The judges in Bradford are far fairer in real life."

Mr Jarvis said he wanted to write a fast-paced legal thriller. "Nobody seems to be writing them anymore. It is decades since John Mortimer created Rumpole of the Bailey, and the Bar and the legal system are just not like that now.

"Death by dangerous cases, and any case involving a fatality, are extremely stressful to deal with. Writing is cathartic and gives me a break from doing those kind of cases. Hopefully the two careers can sit together."

Mr Jarvis has previously written both fiction and non-fiction, and wrote the highly acclaimed Radio Four drama 'Judgement.'

Death By Dangerous is published by Troubadour Publishing on July 28, priced at £7.99.