David John Courtney was an English self-proclaimed gangster who became both an author and an actor.
Dave Courtney obituary
Courtney, 64, was found dead just hours later at his ‘Camelot House’ home in south-east London. Neighbour Sheila Wellcome said he was suffering from arthritis and could barely roll a cigarette.
He was one of Britain’s best-known gangsters and made a name for himself through his affiliation with famous London East End hardmen such as the Krays, Roy Shaw, and Lenny McLean.
Courtney was only nine years old when the London-based double act was jailed but he claims to have arranged the security for Ronnie Kray’s funeral back in 1995.
In a statement on his official social media accounts, a spokesman said Courtney shot himself at home. He claimed to have been found not guilty in 19 separate trials but in January 2009 he was given an 18-month conditional discharge at Bristol Crown Court, on a charge of possessing live ammunition.