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The final words uttered in public by ex-gangster Dave Courtney have been revealed by his best friend.
Dave Courtney, 64, was a member of the notorious Richardson gang based in south London in the 1960s. Rivalling the infamous Kray Firm, it was involved in everything from drug dealing to hijacking, and illegal gambling to gun-running and prostitution.
And according to his own testimonies over the years, he had been shot, stabbed, had his nose bitten off then reattached, and killed others in order to stay alive – but his last words spoken to a friend hours before being found dead in bed having seemingly shot himself have now been revealed.
READ MORE: Ex-gangster Dave Courtney starred in adult film – wife found it on TV six hours after wedding
According to several sources, he was watching England losing in the rugby World Cup semi-final to South Africa hours before he died. Friend Brandan McGirr, 57, said that Courtney's last words were “that's typical, I'm going to bed”.
He also found the man's body the next morning. “Dave watched the rugby with me, we both had a chuckle about England losing in the last minute as usual,” he said.
“I said to him I'm off to bed and he said I'm off to bed too and that was the last thing he said to me. I found his body the next morning and he was at total peace. He made a decision, he controlled his life, he controlled his ending and made the decision.”
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Ex-gangster Dave Courtney starred in adult film – wife found it on TV six hours after wedding
And next-door neighbour Sheila Wellcome, 68, who saw him shortly before that, claimed that he said very similar words to her, too. She said: “I saw Dave at around 8pm last night he seemed in good spirits after going to the Charlton match with his friends.
“I passed him a cigarette over the wall an hour later and he was laughing and joking, then said he was tired and going to go to bed. Then I got a call this morning from his friend Brendan, who lives with him, saying Dave has been shot and is dead, and the police also told me he’d died.
“We knew Dave was in a lot of pain, and he was suffering with terrible arthritis – he could barely roll a cigarette, but he seemed happy. I just can’t believe I’m never going to see him again. It’s so sad.”
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Notorious gangster Dave Courtney found dead at home from 'firearm' wound
Police and the London Ambulance Service were called to his home, also known Camelot Castle, in the early hours of yesterday morning, where he was pronounced dead at the scene, with a police investigation into the “unexpected death” underway. The 64-year-old converted the former school into a white mansion and decked it out with guns, swords, suits of armour, images of the late Queen, and a bust of his own head.
It also boasts a nightclub and a sex dungeon – where adult films were shot. Courtney, who led a wild life, previously admitted he had starred in a porn film and his wife found out on their wedding night.
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For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
- Queen
- World Cup
- London
- Gangs
- Police
- Shooting
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