NOTORIOUS hardman Dave Courtney has died at the age of 64.
The gangster, who was once an associate of the Kray twins, was tragically found dead at his South East London home with a suspected gunshot wound.
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A gangster was tragically found dead at his South East London home with a suspected gunshot woundCredit: Ian Whittaker – News Group Newspapers Ltd
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Officers discovered Sunday morningCredit: Rex
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Courtney previously survived a heart attack in 2017. Credit: Rex
The Sun understands the tragedy happened at around 4am on Sunday.
Officers were then called to Courtney’s property, called Camelot Castle, at around 11am.
Officers made the tragic discovery before Courtney was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
His family confirmed Dave’s death on Sunday afternoon, saying he “took his own life”.
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In a statement they said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce that Dave Courtney has passed away at the age of 64.
“Dave tragically took his own life in the early hours of Sunday 22nd October, with a firearm at his home in Camelot Castle, Plumstead.”
The Metropolitan Police described the death as “unexpected” and an official identification has yet to be made.
His death came just hours after Dave shared a series of photos while watching his beloved Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
Tearful neighbor Sheila Wellcome, 68, told The Sun that Courtney’s friend called this morning to say he had been “shot”.
She said: “I saw Dave around 8pm last night – he seemed in good spirits after going to the Charlton game with friends.
“An hour later I passed him a cigarette over the wall, and he was laughing and joking, and then he said he was tired and going to bed.
“Then this morning his friend Brendan, who lives with him, called me and told me that Dave had been shot and was dead, and the police also told me that he had died.
“We knew Dave was in a lot of pain. He suffered from terrible arthritis – he could barely roll a cigarette.
“But he seemed happy. He had just got his driving license back and was shopping for a new Peugeot which he was very excited about.
“I just can’t believe I’ll never see him again. It’s so sad.”
Retired cashier and grandmother of six, Sheila, said Courtney owned about 12 firearms, including handguns, shotguns and rifles, which he kept in his front room.
She added: “Police came periodically and checked them.
“To Dave, they were just decorations.”
Courtney’s friend Chris Collins, 52, a market trader and father of one, laid flowers at the scene.
He said: “The world is a worse place today after losing Dave.
“He and I go back many years and he is a very good man.
“He had the scariest phone book this side of the moon, let me tell you – but he was an absolute gentleman.
“He didn’t want to miss a single minute of his life. He was afraid he would miss it.”
Courtney’s Road in Plumstead, south-east London, was today cordoned off with a police officer at the entrance.
A Met Police spokesman said: “Police were called at around 11.25am on Sunday 22 October to a residential address in Chestnut Rise, SE18 following reports of a man who had been found dead.
“Police officers and the London Ambulance Service attended.
“A 64-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His family has been informed.
“Official identification has not been done.
“The death is currently being treated as unexpected and under investigation.
“There were no arrests.”
His friend Brendan, who lives with him, called me this morning and told me that Dave had been shot and was dead
Sheila welcome
Tributes have since poured in for the “British legend” who called himself Dave Courtney OBE – One Big Ego.
Knuckle boxing company BKB, which Courtney supported, said: “We are saddened to hear that our longest-standing supporter of UK Knuckle Boxing, Dave Courtney OBE, has passed away.
“Thank you for all your help over the years and our thoughts and wishes are with Dave’s close friends and family.
“A true BRITISH LEGEND. Love always x BKB & the whole TEAM.”
Family member Pat Courtney wrote on Facebook: “RIP Bruv xx.”
Matt Legg posted a series of photos with the caption: “BREAK Dave Courtney.
“I only spoke to him on Thursday for my video tribute to Dave Legen.
“And we were out together last Friday.
“I still remember meeting Dave 25 years ago, and that’s the picture with the Knuckle Dusters.”
His death comes after he was brought before a judge in July this year for having boxers, daggers and throwing stars in his home.
But the charges against Courtney were dropped after they were found to be props for the film.
Self-proclaimed ex-gangster Courtney traded in his life of crime to become an acclaimed author and celebrity.
Cockney claimed to be related to the Kray twins and that he was the inspiration for the character of Vinnie Jones in Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.
In 2017, he suffered a minor heart attack that he vowed would never end.
He also claimed to have been shot, stabbed and had his nose bitten off during a life of crime and violence, reports the Sunday Mirror.
Courtney was previously in the middle of writing his tenth book and said how proud he was to have come this far.
He said: “I am a happy man.
“If I died tomorrow, I would die smiling. I have beautiful friends. I have had too many beautiful women in my life.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It does not discriminate, it touches the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and football players.
It is the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, deadlier than cancer and traffic accidents.
Yet it’s rarely talked about, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage if we don’t all stop and pay attention now.
That’s why The Sun launched the You Are Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all help save lives.
Let’s all pledge to ask for help when we need it, and listen to others… You are not alone.
If you or anyone you know needs help with mental health issues, the following organizations offer support:
Turn to the Samaritans
If you have been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this article, please contact The Samaritans on 116 123.
They are available for free at any time.
Or by email https://www.samaritans.org/
“Getting here was hard, but now it’s easy. It’s nice to be kind.”
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Gangster claimed links to Kray twins Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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Credit: Rex
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education