Johnny Carless, charismatic criminal owner of an all-night cafe in Merseyside, is cunning but prone to explosions of rage. Confronting a subordinate who has defected and betrayed his activities to a rival, Carless loses control. He pulls his gun and fires, continuing shooting as the dying man crashes through a window into the street outside. Forced to go on the run, Carless escapes to London. There, he meets an innocent and beautiful girl, who falls for his charms - and becomes reluctantly embroiled in his criminal activities...