Reformed gangster Dave Courtney escapes jail

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Reformed hardman Dave Courtney has avoided a prison sentence after a Bristol judge heard the criminal turned-author had taken a new direction in life.

Courtney, 49, author of a number of best-selling true crime books, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday afternoon to admit a charge of possessing ammunition - a single bullet – without a firearms certificate.

DaveCourtney

But after Judge Ticehurst heard Courtney, from Plumstead, south London, had the round in his possession for a prop in a stage show, in which he encourages wayward youths to keep on the straight and narrow, he let him off with an 18-month conditional discharge.

Courtney, who claims to have had links with notorious criminal siblings the Kray brothers, has a long list of antecedents including affray and theft – all of which are chronicled in his numerous books.

But Courtney’s counsel Donal McGuire told the judge his client, who has also starred in various movies and documentaries, now spends his days raising cash for community centres and lecturing would-be crooks with his mantra “crime doesn’t pay”.

Prosecutor Simon Morgan told the court Courtney was pulled over by police on October 29, 2007, in Lewins Mead, in the city centre, because the red BMW he was in had the illegal licence plate BADBOY1.

Officers searched Courtney and his vehicle and found the live ammo in his pocket, as well as a number of other prop weapons in the boot.

Mr Morgan said: “He told officers it was for a show. He displayed these as part of his performance. He was taken straight into custody where he said it was blank ammunition.

“He was extremely surprised to learn it was in fact live ammo. The officer tells me his surprise was in fact very genuine.

“But the simple point is, a man with his record, he should know better.”

Courtney’s counsel Mr McGuire presented Judge Ticehurst with a number of references from charities for whom the ex-con has fundraised, and a Member of Parliament.

Mr McGuire told the court: “On that night Mr Courtney was presenting a show at a club in Bristol. It was a charity event, it was raising money for a community centre for young men.

“His stage act consists of two parts. He talks about his past life – he has written a number of best-selling books of which parts of his earlier life are told – but the final message is that ’crime doesn’t pay’ and he has abandoned that lifestyle.”

Referring to the letters of support submitted, Mr McGuire said: “It really is quite an incredible testimonial I put before you.”

Mr McGuire said Courtney’s history give his talks to young people and prisoners “great credibility”.

He said his client had experienced difficulty in securing acting roles since this charge arose, but had been involved with a film called The Estate, to be released this year.

Judge Ticehurst replied: “I very much look forward to it.”

Sentencing Courtney, the judge said: “I accept the item was intended for your stage performance. I accept you were genuinely amazed to discover the ammo was live.

“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.”

Courtney was given an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £750 costs within 21 days.

Outside the courtroom, the author of Dodgy Dave’s Little Black Book and Raving Lunacy, said he was “pleased with result”.

“I’ve just got to keep myself out of trouble now for the next 18 months,” he said.