
A to Z of London Crime
Within this A to Z of London Crime, we will be including big London names, crimes, streets and places of interest of the City of London and surrounding boroughs. With additional links to sites and youtube videos that may be of interest if you are researching anything or anyone that we have listed.
Names included on this list have books written by them/for them or about them..
If you look further into certain cases, you may not agree with the guilt or innocence of the suspects. But you can make your own mind up... we are not the Judge here! This isn't about modern London, there are other resources online that cater for more the more recent crimes in and around London, just look at the news or Police websites. We certainly do NOT condone crime of any kind, this is purely a look at Old London and the history of London crime
Names included on this list have books written by them/for them or about them..
If you look further into certain cases, you may not agree with the guilt or innocence of the suspects. But you can make your own mind up... we are not the Judge here! This isn't about modern London, there are other resources online that cater for more the more recent crimes in and around London, just look at the news or Police websites. We certainly do NOT condone crime of any kind, this is purely a look at Old London and the history of London crime
A
B
Bedlam/Bethlem/St mary of Bethlehem
In 1403, the hospital treasurer was found guilty of embezzlement and theft of hospital property, and with an old regime of punishment and religous devotion, chains, locks, stocks and manacles were part of the hospital inventory and usually used to treat the poor and marginalised (of which were believed to be dangerous). For the full and fascinating history, check out the following....
Links
Historic England. From Bethlehem to Bedlam - England's First Mental Institution
Crazy facts of Bedlam!
Learn more from Youtube
Books about Bedlam from Amazon
Billy Hill
Links
Billy Hill (Wikipedia)
Eastcastle Street Robbery (wikipedia)
Books about Billy Hill from Amazon
C
Charlie Richardson
Books from Amazon
DVDS
Clerkenwell Prison
D
Dave Courtney
Books from Amazon
DVDS
Dennis Stafford
In 1967, Dennis Stafford was arrested along with Michael Luvaglio for the killing of Angus Sibbett in what has become known as the "one armed bandit murder". Much controversy has surrounded this case, while Michael and Dennis have always maintained that they are both innocent. In fact, Dennis Stafford's legal team have often said it would be impossible to secure a murder conviction today on the evidence produced at his trial.
Links
Please see "one armed bandit murder" below.
Books from Amazon
E
F
Frankie Fraser
Freddie Foreman
G
H
I
J
Jack the Ripper
There are many theories as to the true identity of the "ripper", some have suggested he was a man in regular employment and lived locally while others have considered that the killer was an educated upper-class man, possibly a doctor or an aristocrat from another better classed area.
The Ripper appears in many fictional stories, comic books, games, songs, poems, plays, operas, television programmes and films. There are a wide range of true crime books that cover the Jack the Ripper murders, and they can make for some gruesome reading. As a subject, it is far too big to go into detail on this page, but please follow the links provided for further information if you dare!
Link
Jack the RipperThe Jack the Ripper murders history site. Where they discuss the Whitechapel murders of 1888, outline the full history and assess the various suspects.(fascinating site.. No need to list any more!)
Learn more from Youtube
Books about Jack The Ripper from Amazon
John Bindon
John "biffo" Bindon is a modern legend. An English actor and bodyguard who had close links with the London underworld, his film-star looks, charm and talent brought him worldwide exposure. His story reads like the plot of a movie which Big John himself might have landed a part in. Usually typecast in tough-guy roles, his on-screen persona was chillingly close to the real-life one. Big John's nickname came from his status as a legendary sexual performer, so it was no surprise that his encounters with stunning women, most famously Princess Margaret, led to numerous high profile relationships. But most of all, Big John was a warm-hearted, complex man, utterly devoted to those who have him respect and always prepared to be the last line of defence to those closest to him. He emerged from a poor, working class London childhood and fraternised with the Krays and the Richardsons, but eventually turned his back on crime to play major parts in films such as Mick Jagger's Performance, "The Who's Quadrophenia" and Michael Caine's "Get Carter". In 1978 Bindon was tried for the murder of London gangster Johnny Darke. Bindon pleaded self-defence and was acquitted, but the case damaged his reputation, and this coupled with being seen as difficult to work with by directors meant his acting career declined. In the 1980s Bindon became reclusive; he died in 1993 from cancer
Link
John Bindon Wikipedia
Learn more from Youtube
Books about Jon Bindon from Amazon
K
Kray Twins
Link
theKrays.net
Books about The Krays from Amazon
Films and Documentaries about The Krays from Amazon
L
M
Michael Luvaglio
Michael Luvaglio has been actively trying to clear his name and prove his innocence for over 50 years. Since leaving prison in 1979 Michael has dedicated his life to helping those less fortunate, working for more than 25 years with London based charity SHARE.
SHARE stands for Self Help and Rehabilitation for Employment and was established in Wandsworth in 1972. Now, covering many London boroughs, SHARE work with disabled people who need extra help and support in order to achieve their potential and realise their dreams and aspirations.
Link
Michael Luvaglio's own website Villain or Victim
N
Newgate Prison
O
One Armed Bandit Murder
The following trial resulted in life sentences for Dennis Stafford and Michael Luvaglio. Both men were released on licence 12 years later. Angus Sibbet was a money collector for a "social club services" run by Michael Luvaglio's brother Vince Landa, which supplied working men's clubs with fruit machines (one armed bandits). On the night of 4 January 1967, Michael Luvaglio and Dennis Stafford were to meet Sibbet at the Birdcage club in Newcastle at 12.30am, Sibbet's body was discovered the following morning in the back seat of his Jaguar at 5.15am by a miner at Pesspool Bridge in South Hetton, having been shot three times. Stafford and Luvaglio were both found guilty of the murder, and were sentenced to life in prison. The pair were released from prison after serving 12 years. Both men have strongly denied the Killing.
Links
Witness tells how mystery armed man confessed to infamous One-Armed Bandit murder (Northern Echo)
Michael Luvaglio's own website Villain or Victim
Wikipedia, one armed bandit murder
Innocent.org Michael Luvaglio and Dennis Stafford – the one-armed bandit murder
Foot Steps in the Snow
Learn more from Youtube
Books about The One armed Bandit Murder from Amazon
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R
S
T
Tyburn.
Situated near to the present-day Marble Arch, the hangings that took place at the Tyburn Tree were in excess of 50,000. Most of the executed had been taken through the streets from Newgate prison. Huge crowds would turn out to enjoy the free entertainment, cheering on the felons that they regarded as heroes.U
V
W
World Cup Theft in March 1966..
What a year for England! Bobby Moore lifts the Jules Rimet trophy in July 1966, but only four months earlier, the trophy was on display at Westminster's Central Hall and thieves sneaked in between patrols, forced open the glass case and took the trophy. There was a full scale investigation by the Metropolitan Police and there was no solution. A note was sent to the Met Police demanding £15,000.00 for it's safe return (around £197,000 in todays money!). In an attempt to capture the sender, a petty criminal was caught, however, the Trophy was still not recovered. But when a collie dog by the name of "pickles" was being taken for a walk in Upper Norwood, South London, the dog unearthed a parcel beneath a hedge outside the owner's home. This was the moment the missing cup came to light.(Pickles netted the owner a £5000 reward,and the dog was also awarded a silver medal by the National Canine Defence League!)