Dave Courtney, a former self-proclaimed gangster who became an author and celebrity, has died at the age of 64.
Dave was born in Bermondsey, London, on February 17, 1959. He claimed to have been involved in various criminal activities, such as debt-collecting, minding clubs, assault, contraband and murder.
His house in Plumstead, called Camelot Castle, was decorated with a painted depiction of himself as a knight and a large knuckle duster, Union flags and the cross of St George.
He was also known for his links with gangsters such as Reggie Kray and Lenny McLean, although he was nine years old when Kray was imprisoned.
His death has shocked and saddened many of his fans, friends and family members, who remember him as a charismatic and controversial figure.
Dave Courtney Death: How Did The Ex-Gangster Die?
According to some reports, Dave Courtney took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot in the early hours of October 22, 2023.
However, other sources claim that he died of a heart attack, possibly due to his long-term heart condition.
He is also claimed to have been stabbed, shot, had his nose bitten off and stated that he had to kill to stay alive. He often referred to himself as Dave Courtney OBE, the suffix for One Big Ego.
Some former associates, such as Bernard O’Mahoney and Frankie Fraser, accused him of embellishing and fabricating his criminal record and the underworld position.
However, Courtney denied overstating his past. He had been jailed twice and had said he was taking steroids to build himself up to rob drug dealers.
He had also been involved in several legal cases, such as being cleared of beating Jennifer Lucrea Pinto, his former girlfriend, during a row over her lesbian lover in 2004.
He was given an 18-month conditional discharge for possessing live ammunition without a firearms certificate in 2009.
Read Related Also: Who Is Mahfud MD Istri Zaizatun Nihayati? Keluarga Details
He had also faced personal tragedies, such as the murder of his stepson Genson Courtney by his uncle David Pinto in 2011.
Genson Courtney was a drug dealer whom Pinto executed with a shot through the left eye. Pinto and his getaway driver, Robert Bleach, were jailed for life for the killing.
Dave Courtney Obituary: Family Mourns The Loss
Dave’s obituary details have not been published in the media as the Courtney family is currently mourning his loss. As a result, it might take some time for his obituary details to surface online.
He is survived by his wife Jenny, the sister of David Pinto, and his children from previous relationships. The celebrity had been married four times and had six children.
Dave was also an author, having published six books: Stop The Ride I Want to Get Off, Dodgy Dave’s Little Black Book, The Ride’s Back On, Raving Lunacy, F**k the Ride, and Heroes & Villains.
In addition to playing the lead part of Mad Dave opposite Manish Patel in the low-budget British film Triads, Yardies, and Onion Bhajees, the former gangster also produced and starred in his own film, Hell To Pay.
He also appeared in several other films and documentaries, such as The Dead Sleep Easy, Killer Bitch and Mother’s Child. He had a large fan base who admired his stories and personality.
He was also involved in charity work and worked on various projects with other celebrities and artists.
He ran his own website and social media accounts where he shared his views and opinions on various topics. He was known for his humor, wit, and controversial statements.
Dave Courtney will be remembered as a unique and influential British culture and media figure. He will be missed by many who knew him or followed him.
Trending Now: Allen Livingston Missing Update 2023: Body Found After 30 Years
