THESE days the pen is mightier than the sword – or rather the knuckle duster – for Dave Courtney.

The celebrity ex-gangster, once described as one of the country’s most dangerous men, was at Waterstone’s in the Kingsgate Centre, Huddersfield, yesterday to sign copies of books from his burgeoning body of literary work.

“I like the north,” he said.

Born in Bermondsey, London, Courtney, 49, is said to have been involved in debt-collecting, minding clubs, assault, contraband and murder, according to the Wikipedia website.

He claims to have been shot, stabbed and had his nose bitten off – and sewn back on.

Vinnie Jones’s character in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is believed to have been based on his exploits.

Courtney’s latest book, a quiz book about crime and prisons, comes after several autobiographical volumes and profiles of other high-profile gangsters.

So does he have any reservations about profiting from glamorising his violent criminal past?

“No. I made more money when I was a criminal,” he said. “You don’t pay tax when you’re a criminal.”

“There’s not much money in writing – all I get is 60 f***ing pence a book, and then 40% of that gets taken by the taxman.

“But I’m an old romantic and once it came home to me that I really had an influence as a criminal and was responsible for certain things, I cleaned up my act.”

Nevertheless, he is doing his best to carve out a much more lucrative film career for himself.

He travels to America next year to appear in a film called The Bank Robbers.

“I’m going to make $280,000 from pretending to rob a bank. That’s more than I ever made doing the bloody thing for real!”

Which is perhaps one of the reasons why he does not lament leaving the criminal underworld behind.

In fact, Courtney claims there are no real gangsters left.

“The life of the gangster is gone,” he said.

“They’re like pirates and cowboys and Indians – romantic figures of the past.

“I don’t regret getting involved because it was a hell of a lot more honourable when I was in it.

“Crime played a part in a lot of different areas of life. Now it’s all about narcotics.

“There’s honour among thieves, but not among drug dealers.

“I could have made a load more money in drugs, but I would rather keep my morals.”

The married father-of-six says he values his family and friends more than anything.

He is also involved in a range of charity work, including helping youngsters who have behavioural problems like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.