document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); There are more than 5,000 stories by The Gentle Author with 42,000 pictures to be found in the categories and archives on this site. Fraser died in 2014 aged 90. Eddie Richardson, Frankie Fraser and others ended up in Lewisham Hospital. [2], He was arrested with five other men in Earl's Court on suspicion of possession of drugs, having just been seen coming out of a sex shop which was known to be controlled by the Richardson family. Members of another South London gang led by Billy Hayward were present that night including Peter Hennessey. Jimmy is at home in the office where he worked his whole career. [2], In 1990, Eddie Richardson was sentenced to 35 years after being convicted of involvement in a 70 million cocaine and cannabis heist. In 1956, Silver was charged for living off immoral earnings but let off because the judge decided there was no case to answer. It is said he was actually a childhood friend of the Krays but joined up with their rival gang who used him for talks with the brothers. You can still visit The One Stop Metal Shop, Daniel Lewis & Son Ltd, at 493-495 Hackney Rd, E2 9ED until the end of June, Receipts from Londons Oldest Ironmongers. They were the foremost perpetrators of organised crime in the East End of One of Terry's brothers, Tommy, was cleared in 1985 of involvement with the laundering of the 26m Brinks Mat haul, while Gilbert Wynter, one of the family's "enforcers", was tried in 1994 for the murder of Claude Moseley, a former athlete turned drug dealer, only to be acquitted after the main prosecution witness mysteriously refused to testify. His wife, Ruth, was charged with similar offences. Other members of the gang included the hitman Jimmy Moody, Roy Hall (who operated the electric generator), Bartholomew (Barry) Harris (who was the getaway driver for the gang), Albert Longman, Ron Lawrence (was a getaway driver and enforcer for the gang) Harry Rawlins, Alan Morse/Rigby, Frank Bailey, Harry Banks, Tommy Clark, Ron Large (Ronnie), Tommy Quinlan, James Kemmery and Mick O'Brien. London's instantly recognisable gangsters: Ronnie and Reggie Kray, (Image: Terry Disney/Express/Getty Images). When McCormack gave evidence, he admitted meeting McKenzie three times to recover the debt "for my old mate Patsy", but claimed that the presence of McKenzie's blood on his jacket must have come from an earlier meeting, when he had broken up a fight between the financier and another man. Prostitution, pornography and criminal rackets were Bernie Silver's speciality as a Dom in the London underworld between the 1950s and 1970s. No one was killed, but the incident, with echoes of 1930s Chicago, sent out a message - both to the Reillys and anyone else who needed to know - that the Adams gang was prepared to go all the way to preserve its territory. Jimmy Nash, back behind the counter for one last time. Over his long criminal career, Fraser spent 4042[3][5] years in prison. Sizes 1 bedroom. Two of the Nash brothers, the most prestigious club-owners in the East End, stood quietly in the crowd. But I recently came across a bunch of BBC concerts from the "BBC Four Sessions" TV series, and hers was one of them. In the autumn, Nahome, who was effectively their principal financial officer, was shot dead outside his north London mansion - in the same street as Terry Adams' home - in a classic underworld motorcycle hit of the type often attributed to the Adamses themselves. Eventually, Sabini became a bookie himself when he settled in Hove. On 7 or 8 March 1966, Richard Hart, one of the Krays' associates, was shot dead, intentionally or otherwise, during a brawl involving the Richardson Gang at Mr Smith's Club in Rushey Green, Catford. He spent almost half of his life in prison. Dick admits that his moral compass may be a bit warped and in many instances levels no judgement on the criminals he studied. Hill was behind the the Eastcastle Street postal van robbery worth 287,000 - about 7.58 million in today's money - and in 1954 he organised a 40,000 bullion heist - but no one was ever convicted for these robberies. He worked there longer than Ive been alive, and Im retired now. He was also involved in pornography and may have been associated with criminal Jimmy Humphreys, whose arrest led to the exposure of corrupt police officials in 1971, including Commander Ken Drury of the Flying Squad. The pub gained notoriety when on 11th March 1966 Richardson gang associate George Cornell was shot and killed. The Kray twins, who grew up in Bethnal Green, were among the last people to be held prisoner at the Tower of London - we bet you thought no one had been held prisoner there for centuries. But as their power grew, so did their arrogance and violence. After starting a life of crime at the age of eight, Fraser became a hardman for South London's Richardson gang, who waged war against the East End's Kray family during the 1960s. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Spitalfields Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. An accountant, Terry Gooderham, said to have crossed the brothers by creaming off 250,000 of drug money, was found dead, alongside his girlfriend, in Epping Forest in 1989, a double "hit" attributed to the Adams empire. On Friday his three killers, like the 54-year-old Adams, found their futures were behind bars as they were sentenced to life with a minimum of 19 years. When Potter gave evidence during the trial, he accepted that McKenzie had been injured at his home, but maintained that the attacker was a total stranger. The Adams family are said to have laundered their money through the jewellery quarter of Hatton Garden, using a diamond merchant by the name of Solly Nahome, through a restaurant in Smithfield and also a West End nightclub. But despite being criminals they assumed some kind of celebrity status - the pair were West End nightclub owners mixing with politicians and entertainers of their time, were interviewed on TV and photographed by David Bailey. Jimmy with the portrait of his first employer Bert Hill -A very stern man.. Before his death, Stepney-born gangster Cornell was a tough enforcer for the Richardson gang - with a reputation known for being absolutely fearless. The vast profits generated by drug trafficking also required new ways of laundering the money. And he rubbed shoulders with infamous crime lords such as Fraser and Charlie Richardson, even counting some of them as close friends. That night members of the Richardson gang were drinking at Mr Smith's. And then - after what seemed like a very long pause - said: Just joking boy, come on up.. A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing 7. Charlie Richardson and George Cornell had first met the Krays while in Shepton Mallet Prison.[7]. Rumours about the gang having senior detectives in their pay, and their determination to "get" jurors were rife. This was hampered by the family's lack of involvement with any legitimate financial institutions or mechanisms - a problem which is said to have scuppered his plans to buy Tottenham Hotspur, which might have required some financial disclosures. After joining the Richardsons, he served as their enforcer. At 15, he got a job as a runner for a bookies and a year later the teenager started working the protection rackets on Petticoat Lane. As well as making money from racecourse protection rackets Sabini's firm was also associated with other criminal activities and ran several nightclubs. The roller broke down after five minutes. In his later life, Fraser became a bit of a celebrity - he appeared on TV shows Operation Good Guys, Shooting Stars and Brass Eye. [4] Reportedly, Fraser's favourite brand of punishment was extracting teeth with pliers.[3]. A new book is sharing for the first time intimate portrait pictures of British villains, CHARLIE RICHARDSON: One of Britains most terrifying gangsters in the 1960s. And their operations spread to places like Lincolnshire and across to Spain.". The brothers were today sentenced to a combined total of 39 years and 15 months in jail. I had to get out the car and push the bloody thing. The Richardson Gang was an English crime gang based in South London, England in the 1960s. With Paul Anderson, Tom Hardy, Christopher Eccleston, Joshua Hill. Hennessey sustained a bayonet wound to his scalp. Brian photographed him outside a jewellers shop, DAVE COURTNEY: He earned his hardman reputation as a knuckle duster-wielding debt collector. Also known as the "Torture Gang", they had a reputation as some of London's most sadistic gangsters. As well as being kicked and beaten, sustaining three broken ribs, he was carved up with a Stanley knife to the point where just fragments of skin were keeping his nose and left ear attached to his face. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Ronald Kray was charged with his murder, The East End has changed beyond recognition over the decades, The Kray Twins were close friends of TV star Barbara Windsor, The Kray Twins pictured with American heavyweight boxer Sonny Liston, Charlie Richardson was one-half of the infamous Richardson brothers, who were rivals of the Kray Twins, Dick Hobbs claims Patsy Kensit broke down in tears after hearing about the alleged crimes her father committed, New book The Business documents Dick Hobbs' dalliances with the criminal underworld, Zeedan Nazir reveals he was kept as a SLAVE after marrying into gangster family, former London gang member Mad Frankie Fraser, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Even relatively straight people could buy a bit of dope and sell it. 'You don't earn anything in this life unless it hurts you' Dave Courtney [citation needed], Charlie Richardson died of peritonitis[7] in September 2012. While these jury acquittals have to be taken at face value, many police officers involved in the investigations expressed incredulity at the decisions. Terry Adams must have regretted the light that was trained on his activities by the McCormack trial. Its officers are said to have bugged Adams' homes and cars and followed him closely over a period of several years, working in tandem with both the newly created National Crime Squad and the National Criminal Intelligence Agency, as well as the Inland Revenue. Dick recalls one night drinking at Terrys former East End pub the Steamship - when his pal returned victorious from a successful job. The brothers carried on their business separate from normal society - they had no bank accounts, virtually no tax records and may not even directly own the homes they live in. In 2002 Sean Bradish was given four life sentences while his brother Vinnie received 22 years. Criminal gangs like the Adams brothers needed to find themselves corrupt financiers, accountants, lawyers and other professionals to help them "wash" their cash to a squeaky-clean white and then invest it in property and other legitimate businesses. Gangland London at it's finest. There was gangland boss Joey Pyle, 64, who was cleared of murdering a night club boss after two trials. For Jimmy Nash who started there in 1942 at the age of fourteen and stayed his entire working life, becoming foreman and manager, this week was his last chance to put on his old green coat and make a sentimental pilgrimage back to the place he was employed for more than sixty-six years. Jimmy remembered how he drilled a hole in Tony Masseyss tea can, so it poured down his front when he drank from it. Anyone considered an informer against them or a threat to the family was ruthlessly targeted. A bus trying to get through couldnt. Director: Mike Hodges | Stars: Clive Owen, Malcolm McDowell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Charlotte Rampling Votes: 8,751 | Gross: $0.36M 12. This is the man who is said to have led to the downfall of the Kray twins and their ending up in prison. In return for admitting one charge of conspiring to hide 1m, the remaining charges against him and his wife, who has been seriously ill with a stomach complaint, have been allowed to "lie on the file" or, in other words, have been effectively dropped. In 1980, after many attempts to obtain release, Charlie Richardson escaped from an open prison. The Reillys, greatly offended, went away to arm themselves and returned to the pub, only to find an ambush awaiting them. It is addressed to the original proprietors Presland & Sons. Sure enough, the bus driver starts banging his horn and shouting for us to move. At first, his fellow academics were a bit skeptical of his links to crime - but they were soon sidling up to Dick because of his connections. Murder, armed robbery, arson, protection rackets, assaults - they were involved in it all. The brothers came from a poor family, and they took up boxing before eventually becoming two of Londons most notorious gangsters in the 1950s and 60s. But in the mid-1980s there was a seismic shift in London's criminal culture, led by the Adams family. He said: Did I go burgling or climbing into the back of lorries? Charlie Richardson was not freed until July 1984. You see, I don't think they have been diminished at all". His greatest moment of national notoriety came during what was known as the 'torture trial' of the Richardson gang in 1967, which But there are many more gangsters who held a reign of terror over the city throughout history. The victim told the tale of being severely beaten and bruised after being found guilty of disloyalty by a kangaroo court; he then had to mop up his own blood using his own underpants. Jimmy remembered that he started at two pounds five shillings a week. But this is no ordinary captain of industry. They drove through Bethnal Green, where Violet's father, "Cannonball" Lee, the boxer, used to lick a white hot poker to get money from the market crowds, past Vallance Road, where their home was known as Fort Vallance. [citation needed]. Even within the vast underworld of criminals the sociologist has met over the decades, Fraser remains a stand-out, having risen to infamy during the torture trials of Kray rivals The Richardson Gang. Eddie Richardson was sent to prison for five years for affray. He gave 1,000 to the Nash family. The brutal story behind the name of the busiest London Underground station, London's Titanic: The tragic day 650 Londoners drowned in a river full of poo. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Also known as the "Torture Gang", they had a reputation as some of London's On the night in question, both gangs were "drinking and chatting quite happily". Friends and underworld faces attended the service, before a wake where Courtney and Co drowned their sorrows and smoked as they honoured his stepsons memory, Photographer Brian Anderson spent ten years convincing gangland villains to pose for him. Strange Fruit 6. Starting out as a house burglar, he worked his way up the criminal career ladder to smash and grab raids and was involved in West End protection rackets with fellow gangster Jack Comer. He was jumping in the back of lorries - he was doing factories, offices. Even though it had been tucked away in a corner, Jimmyremembered the scales from when chain was sold by weight. ", Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. This blog does not store any files on its server. There longer than Ive been alive, and Im retired now he said did! The bloody thing pounds five shillings a week England in the 1960s many instances no... Worked there longer than Ive been alive, and Im retired now power... 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