Allan was born and raised in the Ayrshire town of Saltcoats. He began offending at the age of 12 and subsequently spent more than a decade steeped in an offending lifestyle. This culminated in years of detention in various reformatory and penal institutions. After returning to school at the age of 31 and successfully obtaining the necessary higher qualifications, he attended the University of Strathclyde where he was awarded his Diploma in Social Work. He has been employed as a criminal justice social worker for the past 13 years and has been a team leader for the past five, during which time he also completed an MSc in Criminal Justice and obtained a Practice Award in Advance Criminal Justice Studies. He has also supported a number of social work students through their practice placements. So You Think You Know Me? is his first book.

Allan, with his two sons Allan and Paul