Chopper Read has died at 58

One of Australia’s most infamous criminals, Mark “Chopper” Read, has reportedly died at the age of 58.

Read died at the Royal Melbourne Hospital this afternoon “after a long and courageous battle with liver cancer”, his manager Andrew Parisi said.

Read had been battling liver cancer since April 2012. He says his illness started when he contracted hepatitis C while in prison.

He is the criminal who is famous for having both his ears cut off by a fellow inmate so that he could leave temporarily. He spent at least 23 years in prison for crimes including armed robbery, assault, arson and impersonating a police officer.

In his later life he became a successful writer of semi-autobiographical and fictional books and in 2000, a movie “Chopper” was made about Read’s life. Eric Bana played the lead role.

Read was reportedly released from hospital only two days ago to be with family and friends.

Read made his last public appearance in front of a sold-out audience at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre a fortnight ago.

“Despite his failing health, he delighted the audience with his skills as a raconteur and storyteller,” Mr Parisi said.