The full details of Stephen Paul Ibinson’s work as an undercover journalist have never been revealed – until now. Rachel Wearmouth looks at his remarkable life and career.

ADMIRED for his morals and respected for his rare investigative talent, former Special Forces soldier Stephen Ibinson risked life and limb to expose neo-Nazis, sex criminals and some of the UK’s most sickening organised dogfights.

He was forced to protect his identity with the pennames “Ibbo” or “Undercover Steve” after he was repeatedly subjected to death threats.

When he died in Kabul on Thursday, April 16, he was attempting to infiltrate Afghanistan’s opium industry and had brushes with the Taliban.

Although friends feared he would meet a bloody end, it was a heart attack which claimed the 33-year-old father’s life.

The youngest of four children, he grew up in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, but took his first opportunity to join the Parachute Regiment in 1991, aged 16.

His father and brother saw early signs of his determined make-up when they lived at the family home in the Ashfield area of town.

He left Woodham Comprehensive School with few qualifications, but held down three jobs as newspaper delivery boy and a car park attendant.

His brother, Denis Foulds, said: “He had started to build his empire even then.

“Like anyone who climbs to the top, that is what motivated him because that is where he wanted to be.”

Mr Ibinson left the region with his wife after he passed out from Catterick Garrison in 1992.

They had three children.

He would later head a private investigation firm after leaving the Paras at 27 and won a Bafta for his work with the BBC’s Panorama crew.

“We are very proud of him” said his father, also called Stephen, and also a former serviceman.

“He had such a strong character and believed in what he was doing all the time.”

It was his beliefs which led the former soldier to go undercover with a notorious Irish dog-fighting ring, known as The Farmers’ Boys, for the BBC in 2007.

He said: “My views on animal welfare have always been strong and the thought of people fighting dogs makes me sick to the stomach.”

His disguise as a dog-fight organiser was tested to the limit when he was forced to endure a gruesome clash between two pit bulls in a County Armagh barn.

“Undercover Steve” later gave readers an insight into the ordeal: “How could I stay and watch this barbaric act?

Easy. If I had dropped my act for one second I would be dead.”

His bravery led to several charges being brought for animal cruelty, including those of Gary and Jane Adamson, of Yarm, near Stockton.

Mrs Adamson, 38, awaits sentence after she pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a pit bull terrier and failing to seek a vet’s advice.

Her former husband’s case will go before Lincoln Crown Court on September 3 after he pleaded not guilty to separate animal cruelty offences.

Mr Ibinson’s fascinating life also included private security work in war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Martin Breen, a Belfast Telegraph colleague and friend, said “Ibbo” was one of a kind who rarely sought credit for his work.

The pair worked on many investigations together, including tracking down Ken Barrett, the killer of solicitor Pat Finucane, to his seaside home and tracing a fugitive double killer in Northern Ireland in 2006.

Mr Breen said: “I once remarked to him that it was a shame, due to the fact he had to keep his identity secret, he never personally received any awards for those BBC programmes.

“The show has won many accolades, but to Steve the fact the gang had been thwarted and exposed was enough of a reward for him."