Killer landlord Nicholas Hoogstraten is writing a book in prison about the events leading to his ten-year jail sentence.

Hoogstraten has said he wants to expose what he believes are the injustices in the legal system.

In a letter sent to our reporter Adam Trimingham, the property tycoon writes: "There's a story that needs to be told and I'm the only one that can do it."

Hoogstraten, 57, was jailed in October last year for ordering two hitmen to threaten Mohammed Raja, a rival landlord who was suing him for an alleged multi-million pound fraud.

Raja died on the doorstep of his Surrey home after being blasted with a shotgun at point-blank range.

In his most recent missive from HMP Belmarsh, Hoogstraten remains confident his "so-called" conviction will be overturned if the case is heard at the Court of Appeal.

In angular handwriting on prison notepaper, he wrote: "There is an even bigger story behind all of it but it will have to wait until my conviction is quashed.

"You may be interested to know that I am writing my own book (in skeleton form) on the whole affair - mainly concentrating on the lead-up to the day of my arrest and the trial.

"It will be in the form of a factual documentary - not an autobiography - solely on this ordeal and the legal system generally.

"I will have to employ the services of a professional to put it all together and give it some flavour but that is now my main raison d'etre in this whole sordid affair."

Despite his state of confinement, Hoogstraten remains upbeat and even managed to make a joke at his own expense.

In an earlier letter to Mr Trimingham, he insisted he would be found not guilty of the manslaughter charge.

Referring to Mr Trimingham's pessimistic reply, he wrote: "Your power of perception regarding the hearing of October 25 has placed you even higher in my esteem!"

Hoogstraten has been informed a decision will be made soon on whether leave to appeal against his conviction and sentence has been granted.

He wrote: "A retired QC wrote to tell me my greatest danger before, during and after the trial was my own knowledge and faith in my innocence and belief in the justice system."

Signing off, Hoogstraten takes a typical sideswipe at documentary-makers Mike Walsh and Don Jordan who have published a biography of his life entitled Millionaire Killer.

He wrote: "It can only be based on inaccurate innuendo from people who may think they know something about me and of course the usual crap newspaper/media reports."

Hoogstraten's hitmen, Robert Knapp, 54, of Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick, and David Croke, 60, of Bolney Road, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, were both jailed for life for Raja's murder.

'Hoogstraten is due to appear at the High Court in London on Monday as part of an investigation into the extent of his hidden fortune.