Dave Courtney: Former gangster turned actor and writer dies aged 64

A self-proclaimed former gangster turned writer and actor has died. 
 
 Dave Courtney was found dead at his home in Plumstead, south-east London, on Sunday. 
 
 A statement on his social media pages shows that he committed suicide. 
 
 According to his Facebook page, the 64-year-old  spent  Saturday watching his Charlton football team. 
 
 The photos showed him watching the 4-0 win against Reading  in a League One game and enjoying a meal at the stadium with friends.
 
 The press release announcing his death said that details of the funeral arrangements would be communicated “in due course”. 
 
 Courtney was known for claiming  links to the notorious British criminals the Kray twins and providing security at Ronnie Kray's funeral, despite being a child at the time of his conviction. 
 
 He also said that during his time in the criminal world he had been the target of attempted murder, including shootings and stabbings. 
 
 Courtney said his exploits  inspired the character Vinnie Jones in the film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, which brought the former footballer to the attention of Hollywood. 
 
 Courtney herself continued her film career, appearing in crime documentaries and low-budget gangster films.
 
 He also wrote several books, including one in which he claims to have been acquitted in 19 different trials. 
 
 In June 2004 he was acquitted of assaulting his wife during an argument about their affair. 
 
 In another case in 2009,  a jury admitted he owned a gun. 
 
 Courtney's house in Plumstead was itself  a local landmark. 
 
 It is called Camelot Castle and is said to be decorated with fake weapons, swords and armor, a bust of Courtney, numerous paintings of the late queen, a hot tub, gilded paintings of lions, Union Jacks and a statue of a sniper.
 
 Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or having suicidal thoughts can contact Samaritans for help on 116 123 or  in the UK email jo@samaritans.org. In the United States, call your local Samaritans branch  or 1 (800) 273-TALK