DAVE Courtney had a “wedding gift” of three before his marriage collapsed in 2004.
The former gangster, 64, was found dead at his home in Plumstead, south London, yesterday.
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Dave Courtney, pictured in 2013, has died aged 64 Credit: Scott Hornby – The Sun
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Ex-gangster with wife Jenny Pinto before their marriage hit the rocks Credit: Paul Edwards – The Sun
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Courtney with her husband and her sister as part of a performance he promoted in 1993
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Police outside Courtney’s home on Sunday after his body was discovered Credit: The Sun
His family said he had led an “amazing” life, after leaving a career as a crime kingpin to become a TV actor and writer – writing six books and appearing in films and documentaries.
But ultimately Courtney is said to have been unable to deal with the “pain” of living the lifestyle he chose.
His colorful life included his marriage to Jennifer Lucrea Pinto, known as “JennyBean”, after they met at one of his fitness clubs in the late 1980s.
It is assumed that Jennifer was an aspiring rapper at the time and caught the eye of the notorious Hardman.
Read more at Dave Courtney
But their marriage ended amid a row over an alleged lesbian affair, the court heard.
Courtney is accused of attacking Ms Pinto at his home in Camelot Castle in June 2004.
He told the trial at Inner London Crown Court that he had a three-way sexual relationship with Ms Pinto and another woman.
Courtney also told police the woman was a “wedding gift” from his wife.
But he told jurors the two women were planning to run away together when an argument broke out between him and Ms Pinto at their home.
Rumor has it that their then five-year-old daughter was downstairs at the time.
After a long trial, he was acquitted of all charges in 2012.
Rumor has it that Dave had two daughters, Lillie Eliza and Courtney.
Courtney recently won Rising Star of the Year at the Boisdale Music Awards and was pictured celebrating alongside her dad.
Lillie Eliza is an army soldier, recently passed out at a military parade in Winchester, Hampshire, in March this year.
In the meantime, his stepson Genson (22) was killed in 2011.
He was killed by his uncle David Pinto (36) in front of his girlfriend’s apartment in Greenwich, London.
Getaway driver Robert Bleach was also sentenced to life in prison for his role in the murder.
It comes after Dave’s family revealed today that he took his own life after deciding to “stop driving”.
A family statement given to The Sun read: “On 22 October 2023, Dave made the decision to ‘stop driving’.
“He lived an incredible, colorful rock ‘n’ roll life in which he touched the hearts of many.
“The physical pain of the lifestyle he chose, especially the pain from cancer and arthritis in his later years, became too much.
“He decided to ‘stop driving’.
“In his immortal words ‘stop driving, I want to get off’.”
The lodger discovered the notorious hard-liner dead in his bed.
His death came just hours after he had spent the day with friends watching Charlton Athletic beat Reading 4-0 in a League One match.
The extreme former crime kingpin shared the footage on Facebook.
One friend said: “They stayed up until 4am drinking and went to bed. Around 11am his lodger and friend Brendan went to look in Dave’s bedroom as it was very quiet.
“The first impression was that you took your own life. But the police have to be sure and are investigating.”
The Metropolitan Police said the death is currently being treated as unexpected and is under investigation.
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Dave at the premiere of the film in 2019. Credit: Getty
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.
And men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women.
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:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education