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'''Dave Courtney''' (born 17 February 1959) is a self-proclaimed former [[United Kingdom|British]] [[gangster]] who has become both an [[author]] and celebrity-gangster figure. Author [[Bernard O'Mahoney]] and the former member of the Richardson gang [[Frankie Fraser]] have accused Courtney of embellishing and fabricating his criminal record and position in the underworld; however, Courtney has denied overstating his past.
'''Dave Courtney''' (born 17 February 1959) is a self-proclaimed former [[United Kingdom|British]] [[gangster]]<ref>[http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Reformed-gangster-Dave-Courtney-escapes-jail/article-629116-detail/article.html This Is Bristol]</ref> who has become both an [[author]]<ref>[http://www.metro.co.uk/news/805674-author-dave-courtneys-guns-were-his-wife-s The Metro]</ref> and celebrity-gangster figure.<ref>[http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/whatson/dave-courtney-interview-feature-1268.html View London]</ref> Author [[Bernard O'Mahoney]] and the former member of the Richardson gang [[Frankie Fraser]] have accused Courtney of embellishing and fabricating his criminal record and position in the underworld; however, Courtney has denied overstating his past. <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2wW5n3PkF0 YouTube]</ref> <ref>[http://www.videosurf.com/dave-courtney-29625 Video Surf]</ref>


Dave was educated at [[Forest Hill School|Forest Hill]] Comprehensive, where he was an active member of the drama group, taking the lead role in several plays. Courtney famously was no good at sport when at school, describing himself as "a bit embarrased about getting changed in front of the bigger boys".
Dave was educated at [[Forest Hill School|Forest Hill]] Comprehensive,<ref>[http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Dave_Courtney Word Lingo]</ref> where he was an active member of the drama group, taking the lead role in several plays. Courtney famously was no good at sport when at school, describing himself as "a bit embarrased about getting changed in front of the bigger boys". <ref>[http://www.the-gonads.co.uk/blogaugust2010.htm The Gonads Blog]</ref.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Born in [[Bermondsey|Bermondsey, London]], Courtney often focuses on his links with hard men such as [[Kray twins|Reggie Kray]] and the infamous [[Lenny McLean]], though in the case of the former, he was nine years old when Kray was imprisoned. Courtney has claimed to have been shot,<ref name="DC, Stop The Ride" >[[#DC, Stop The Ride|''Stop The Ride'']]</ref> stabbed, had his nose bitten off, and stated that he has had to kill to stay alive himself.<ref name="DC, Stop The Ride" /> He also makes the claim that unarmed police officers were behind a car crash on the M20 in an attempt to kill him.
Born in [[Bermondsey|Bermondsey, London]],<ref>[http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/north-east-news/2010/03/21/dave-courtney-and-howard-marks-speak-at-hyena-cafe-79310-26075802/2/ Sunday Sun]</ref> Courtney often focuses on his links with hard men such as [[Kray twins|Reggie Kray]]<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/951580.stm BBC News]</ref> and the infamous [[Lenny McLean]],<ref>[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dave-Courtney-OBE/26071665487 Facebook]</ref> though in the case of the former, he was nine years old when Kray was imprisoned. Courtney has claimed to have been shot,<ref name="DC, Stop The Ride" >[[#DC, Stop The Ride|''Stop The Ride'']]</ref> stabbed, had his nose bitten off, and stated that he has had to kill to stay alive himself.<ref name="DC, Stop The Ride" /> He also makes the claim that unarmed police officers were behind a car crash on the M20 in an attempt to kill him.<ref>[http://www.thekrays.co.uk/gangnews14.html The Krays]</ref>


Courtney claims to have been involved in debt-collecting, minding clubs,<ref name="DC, Raving Lunacy" >[[#DC, Raving Lunacy|''Raving Lunacy'']]</ref> [[assault]], [[contraband]], and [[murder]]{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}}. He also claims he has spent time in the notorious [[Belmarsh Prison]] as a high security prisoner,<ref name="DC, The Ride's Back On" >[[#DC, The Ride's Back On|''The Ride's Back On'']]</ref> which has been backed up by ex-prison guard Jim Dawkins in his book "The Loose Screw";<ref name="The Loose Screw" >{{cite book
Courtney claims to have been involved in debt-collecting, minding clubs,<ref name="DC, Raving Lunacy" >[[#DC, Raving Lunacy|''Raving Lunacy'']]</ref> [[assault]], [[contraband]], and [[murder]]{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}}. He also claims he has spent time in the notorious [[Belmarsh Prison]] as a high security prisoner,<ref name="DC, The Ride's Back On" >[[#DC, The Ride's Back On|''The Ride's Back On'']]</ref> which has been backed up by ex-prison guard Jim Dawkins in his book "The Loose Screw";<ref name="The Loose Screw" >{{cite book
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}}</ref>. In his book ''F**k the Ride'', Courtney claims to have been found not guilty in 19 separate trials. Dave has cultivated a reputation for using the [[knuckle duster]] when debt-collecting and was known as "The Yellow Pages Of The Underworld".
}}</ref>. In his book ''F**k the Ride'', Courtney claims to have been found not guilty in 19 separate trials. Dave has cultivated a reputation for using the [[knuckle duster]] when debt-collecting and was known as "The Yellow Pages Of The Underworld".


Courtney is now an author, having had six books published: ''Stop The Ride I Want to Get Off''<ref name="DC, Stop The Ride" />, ''Raving Lunacy''<ref name="DC, Raving Lunacy" />, ''Dodgy Dave's Little Black Book''<ref name="DC, Little Black Book" >[[#DC, Little Black Book|''Dodgy Dave's Little Black Book'']]</ref>, ''The Ride's Back On''<ref name="DC, The Ride's Back On"/>, ''F**k the Ride''<ref name="DC, F**k the Ride" >[[#DC, F**k the Ride|''F**k the Ride'']]</ref>, and ''Heroes & Villains''<ref name="DC, Heroes & Villains" >[[#DC, Heroes & Villains|''Heroes & Villains'']]</ref>. He has also starred in, directed, and produced his own film, ''Hell To Pay'', and took on the leading role of Mad Dave opposite [[Manish Patel]] in cult British film [[Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees]]. However, Dave is probably best known for organising the security at gangster [[Ronnie Kray]]'s funeral in 1995. Courtney has claimed to be the inspiration for [[Vinnie Jones]]'s debt-collecting hard man in the movie ''[[Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels]]''.
Courtney is now an author,<ref>[http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/catalog/author.htm?authorID=58114 Random House]</ref> having had six books published: ''Stop The Ride I Want to Get Off''<ref name="DC, Stop The Ride" />, ''Raving Lunacy''<ref name="DC, Raving Lunacy" />, ''Dodgy Dave's Little Black Book''<ref name="DC, Little Black Book" >[[#DC, Little Black Book|''Dodgy Dave's Little Black Book'']]</ref>, ''The Ride's Back On''<ref name="DC, The Ride's Back On"/>, ''F**k the Ride''<ref name="DC, F**k the Ride" >[[#DC, F**k the Ride|''F**k the Ride'']]</ref>, and ''Heroes & Villains''<ref name="DC, Heroes & Villains" >[[#DC, Heroes & Villains|''Heroes & Villains'']]</ref>. He has also starred in, directed, and produced his own film, ''Hell To Pay'', and took on the leading role of Mad Dave opposite [[Manish Patel]] in cult British film [[Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees]]. However, Dave is probably best known for organising the security at gangster [[Ronnie Kray]]'s funeral in 1995. Courtney has claimed to be the inspiration for [[Vinnie Jones]]'s debt-collecting hard man in the movie ''[[Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels]]''.<ref>[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rides-Back-Dave-Courtney-OBE/dp/0753508605 Amazon]</ref>


Largely making a living from television documentaries and personal appearances, Courtney ran his own website, was involved in [[Charitable organization|charity]] work, and worked on the films ''[[Six Bend Trap]]'' and ''[[Clubbing To Death]]'' alongside [[Craig Charles#Present career|Craig Charles]] and [[Nick Moran]]. He is also featured in the 2008 film ''[[The Dead Sleep Easy]]'', filmed on location in [[Mexico]]. He has worked with Director Liam Galvin on 2 DVDs - ''Dave Courtney's Dodgy DVD'' and ''Dave Courtney Even Dodgier'' - both released by Gangster Videos. He collaborated again with Liam Galvin on the infamous 2010 film ''[[Killer Bitch]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britfilms.com/britishfilms/catalogue/browse/?id=4F42658A1d84d23627wYN240B50B|title= British Council: The British Films Catalogue}}</ref>
Largely making a living from [[television]] [[documentaries]]<ref>[http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/looking-video-dvd-tv/86382-dave-courtney.html Brit Movie]</ref> and personal appearances, Courtney ran his own [[website]], was involved in [[Charitable organization|charity]] work, and worked on the films ''[[Six Bend Trap]]'' and ''[[Clubbing To Death]]'' alongside [[Craig Charles#Present career|Craig Charles]] and [[Nick Moran]]. He is also featured in the 2008 film ''[[The Dead Sleep Easy]]'', filmed on location in [[Mexico]]. He has worked with Director Liam Galvin on 2 DVDs - ''Dave Courtney's Dodgy DVD'' and ''Dave Courtney Even Dodgier'' - both released by Gangster Videos. He collaborated again with Liam Galvin on the infamous 2010 film ''[[Killer Bitch]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britfilms.com/britishfilms/catalogue/browse/?id=4F42658A1d84d23627wYN240B50B|title= British Council: The British Films Catalogue}}</ref>


He often refers to himself as Dave Courtney OBE–"One Big Ego"–but is not an Officer of the [[Order of the British Empire]]. His house in south London, called 'Camelot', is decorated with Union Flags, a painted depiction of himself as a [[knight]] and a large knuckle duster.<ref name=bankrupt/><ref name="Streetview" >[http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=SE18+1RL&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&safe=images&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=London+SE18+1RL,+United+Kingdom&gl=uk&ei=5fUgS8WaM9y4jAfK7ejOBw&ved=0CAgQ8gEwAA&ll=51.48471,0.088449&spn=0.010449,0.01929&z=16&layer=c&cbll=51.4843,0.088111&panoid=-jCtPazh2AhTY_5C4tqqXg&cbp=12,332.17,,0,2.14 Google Streetview, Camelot]</ref>
He often refers to himself as Dave Courtney OBE–"One Big Ego"–but is not an Officer of the [[Order of the British Empire]]. His house in south London, called 'Camelot', is decorated with Union Flags, a painted depiction of himself as a [[knight]] and a large knuckle duster.<ref name=bankrupt/><ref name="Streetview" >[http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=SE18+1RL&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&safe=images&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=London+SE18+1RL,+United+Kingdom&gl=uk&ei=5fUgS8WaM9y4jAfK7ejOBw&ved=0CAgQ8gEwAA&ll=51.48471,0.088449&spn=0.010449,0.01929&z=16&layer=c&cbll=51.4843,0.088111&panoid=-jCtPazh2AhTY_5C4tqqXg&cbp=12,332.17,,0,2.14 Google Streetview, Camelot]</ref>

Revision as of 12:48, 13 December 2010

Not to be confused with David Courtney.
David Courtney
Years active1990-present

Dave Courtney (born 17 February 1959) is a self-proclaimed former British gangster[1] who has become both an author[2] and celebrity-gangster figure.[3] Author Bernard O'Mahoney and the former member of the Richardson gang Frankie Fraser have accused Courtney of embellishing and fabricating his criminal record and position in the underworld; however, Courtney has denied overstating his past. [4] [5]

Dave was educated at Forest Hill Comprehensive,[6] where he was an active member of the drama group, taking the lead role in several plays. Courtney famously was no good at sport when at school, describing himself as "a bit embarrased about getting changed in front of the bigger boys". Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). Courtney often focuses on his links with hard men such as Reggie Kray[7] and the infamous Lenny McLean,[8] though in the case of the former, he was nine years old when Kray was imprisoned. Courtney has claimed to have been shot,[9] stabbed, had his nose bitten off, and stated that he has had to kill to stay alive himself.[9] He also makes the claim that unarmed police officers were behind a car crash on the M20 in an attempt to kill him.[10]

Courtney claims to have been involved in debt-collecting, minding clubs,[11] assault, contraband, and murder[citation needed]. He also claims he has spent time in the notorious Belmarsh Prison as a high security prisoner,[12] which has been backed up by ex-prison guard Jim Dawkins in his book "The Loose Screw";[13]. In his book F**k the Ride, Courtney claims to have been found not guilty in 19 separate trials. Dave has cultivated a reputation for using the knuckle duster when debt-collecting and was known as "The Yellow Pages Of The Underworld".

Courtney is now an author,[14] having had six books published: Stop The Ride I Want to Get Off[9], Raving Lunacy[11], Dodgy Dave's Little Black Book[15], The Ride's Back On[12], F**k the Ride[16], and Heroes & Villains[17]. He has also starred in, directed, and produced his own film, Hell To Pay, and took on the leading role of Mad Dave opposite Manish Patel in cult British film Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees. However, Dave is probably best known for organising the security at gangster Ronnie Kray's funeral in 1995. Courtney has claimed to be the inspiration for Vinnie Jones's debt-collecting hard man in the movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.[18]

Largely making a living from television documentaries[19] and personal appearances, Courtney ran his own website, was involved in charity work, and worked on the films Six Bend Trap and Clubbing To Death alongside Craig Charles and Nick Moran. He is also featured in the 2008 film The Dead Sleep Easy, filmed on location in Mexico. He has worked with Director Liam Galvin on 2 DVDs - Dave Courtney's Dodgy DVD and Dave Courtney Even Dodgier - both released by Gangster Videos. He collaborated again with Liam Galvin on the infamous 2010 film Killer Bitch.[20]

He often refers to himself as Dave Courtney OBE–"One Big Ego"–but is not an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. His house in south London, called 'Camelot', is decorated with Union Flags, a painted depiction of himself as a knight and a large knuckle duster.[21][22]

In June 2004, The Sun newspaper reported that Courtney had been cleared of beating his wife during a row over her lesbian lover.[23]

In January 2009 he was given an 18 month conditional discharge at Bristol Crown Court, on a charge of possessing live ammunition without a firearms certificate. His defence of not knowing that the single live pistol round was live rather than a stage prop prompted Judge Ticehurst to comment, “It perhaps undermines your street credibility and your stage performance that you cannot distinguish between a real round and a fake round. But perhaps that’s not for me to say.” [24]

In May 2009 he was made bankrupt, owing £400,000 to creditors, including taxes of £250,000.[21]

On the 29th July, 2009, he was arrested and charged[citation needed] with possession of a prohibited weapon, specifically a Brocock Air Cartridge pistol, and possession of a firearm whilst being a prohibited person. He was sent in custody to Woolwich Crown Court for trial.[citation needed] Although the Brocock pistol was previously legal as an air-weapon (and would have been legal for Courtney to possess), past police concerns (unconnected to Courtney) over the "ease" with which they might be converted as cartridge-firing firearms led to a ban on this specific design.[25]

Courtney was on remand in HMP Belmarsh, concerning the aforementioned Firearms offences. On 10 December, Courtney was cleared after the jury took just three hours to find him not guilty on all charges. [26]

  • In 1990, he had a small role in the gangster movie The Krays.
  • In 1999, he addressed the Oxford Union Society at a speaker meeting of the prestigious student debating society.
  • In 2000, Courtney was profiled in a three-part observational documentary series called Dave Courtney's Underworld, produced for Channel Five. The series followed the launch of Courtney's celebrity career, as well as his trial for involvement in a police corruption case. The series ends with Courtney being found 'not guilty' and his celebrations with friends. The story of the making of the series is featured in Courtney's book The Ride's Back On.
  • In 2003, California punk rock band Rancid featured a song entitled "David Courtney" on their 2nd last release, Indestructible.
  • Artist Tricky samples him on the song "Dave Courtney", which appears on the album Product of the Environment (featuring a number of British gangsters).
  • He performs the spoken intro and outro to the song "Hell 2 Pay" by Oi! band The Business.
  • He recorded a version of "I Fought The Law" with Scottish pop-punks Mute in 2001 which gave himself and the band exposure in the daily tabloids. The song re-written by Mute frontman Jay Burnett (now with Wendigo) is a hybrid of the original Sonny Curtis track and the more recent story regarding Dave Courtney's infamous court case featured in Stop The Ride.
  • He is currently involved with various movie projects in the UK, and in 2005 became involved in a development deal with a California film and television production company. He continues to perform his Audience with.. events.
  • He was featured on the UK science show Brainiac: Science Abuse where he was enlisted to attempt to break into 'The unbreakable safe'. He didn't succeed.[27]
  • He made several appearances on Channel 5 show The People vs. Jerry Sadowitz.

Publications

  • Dave Courtney (1999). Stop the Ride I Want to Get Off. Virgin Publishing. ISBN 0-7535-0462-6.
  • Dave Courtney (2000). Raving Lunacy. Virgin Publishing. ISBN 0-7535-0504-5. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
  • Dave Courtney (2001). Dodgy Dave's Little Black Book. Virgin Books. ISBN 0-7535-0685-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
  • Dave Courtney (2003). The Ride's Back On. Virgin Books. ISBN 0-7535-0860-5. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
  • Dave Courtney (2005). F**k the Ride. Virgin Books. ISBN 1852272279. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
  • Dave Courtney (2006). Heroes & Villains. Virgin Books. ISBN 0753511770. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
  • Jim Dawkins, Charles Bronson (foreword), Dave Courtney (2008). The British Crime and Prison Quiz Book. Apex. ISBN 190635801X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Filmography

References

  1. ^ This Is Bristol
  2. ^ The Metro
  3. ^ View London
  4. ^ YouTube
  5. ^ Video Surf
  6. ^ Word Lingo
  7. ^ BBC News
  8. ^ Facebook
  9. ^ a b c Stop The Ride
  10. ^ The Krays
  11. ^ a b Raving Lunacy
  12. ^ a b The Ride's Back On
  13. ^ Jim Dawkins, Charles Bronson (foreword), Dave Courtney (2007). The Loose Screw. Apex. ISBN 190444461X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Random House
  15. ^ Dodgy Dave's Little Black Book
  16. ^ F**k the Ride
  17. ^ Heroes & Villains
  18. ^ Amazon
  19. ^ Brit Movie
  20. ^ "British Council: The British Films Catalogue".
  21. ^ a b Tax debt catches up with gangster, Accountancy Age, 21 May 2009
  22. ^ Google Streetview, Camelot
  23. ^ "Crook is in the clear". The Sun. June 12, 2004.
  24. ^ "Reformed gangster Dave Courtney escapes jail". Bristol Evening Post. 20 January 2009.
  25. ^ Air gun laws#United Kingdom
  26. ^ "Author cleared of weapons charges". BBC. 10 December 2009.
  27. ^ Brainiac: Science Abuse: Episode 4 at TV.com

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