Albert Dimes

Albert "Italian Al" Dimes[1] was an English criminal and enforcer from Clerkenwell, London

He worked for gang leader William "Billy" Hill, who was allegedly involved in bookmaking during the 1940s and 1950s.

In July 1941 Dimes was arrested with Joseph Collette of attacking Edward Fletcher at a Soho Club in Wardour Street. The Recorder noted that the incident took place "under the shadow of a graver offence. One man had lost his life and another man was under sentence of death." He dismissed any prejudice against second generation Italians. Harry Capocci was acquitted and Dimes was bound over for three years.[2] In the same incident, Harry "Little Hubby" Distleman was stabbed to death by Antonio Mancini.[3]

In August 1955, Dimes was arrested with rival gangster Jack Spot during a knife fight in Soho. Neither man was charged. As a result of his arrest, Spot's power in the city's underworld declined.

In 1966, Dimes helped to arrange a conference between New York mafiosi and the Corsican Francisci brothers, apparently regarding investing in London casinos.[4] An associate of Charlie Richardson, his presence in Soho delayed the Kray twins from moving into the area for several years.

The character Johnny Bannion, played by Stanley Baker in the 1960 film The Criminal, was reportedly claimed by director Joseph Losey to be partly based on Dimes.[5]

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ "The Glasgow Herald - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  2. ↑ The Times, Fight In Soho Club, 22 July 1941
  3. ↑ The Times, Murder In Soho Club Man Sentenced To Death 5 July 1941
  4. ↑ "Organised Crime in London: a comparative perspective". www.bunker8.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  5. ↑ "Britmovie - British Film Forum". www.britmovie.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-04-14.

External links


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