George Cornell
Encyclopedia
George Cornell was an English criminal and member of the Richardson Gang, who were scrap metal dealers and criminals.
He was shot and killed by Ronnie Kray at the Blind Beggar public house in Whitechapel
. Kray was sentenced to life imprisonment
for the murder three years later and remained in prison until his death in 1995.
A childhood friend of the Kray twins
, Cornell was a prominent criminal in east London during the 1960s and upon moving to South London
joined up with the Kray Twins' rivals, the Richardson Gang, who were brothers Charlie Richardson and Eddie Richardson. Cornell, along with Richardson gang colleague and friend "Mad" Frankie Fraser
, became an enforcer for the Richardsons and was primarily used by them in conversations with the Krays. Conversations were often held in pubs such as The Grave Maurice pub, which was also known as the 'Widow's pub', the nickname given as the landlady's husband had died. Ronnie Kray in particular, had once been friends with Cornell but his later dislike of him probably stemmed from Cornell's decision to side with The Richardson Gang after moving to south London.
, South London
.
His brother Reggie was also found guilty of murdering Jack McVitie, who was murdered the year after Cornell.
They were both sentenced to life imprisonment
. Ronnie died in jail in March 1995, while Reggie was imprisoned for a total of 32 years before he was released from custody on compassionate grounds in August 2000 as a result of cancer
, from which he died a few weeks after his release.
He was shot and killed by Ronnie Kray at the Blind Beggar public house in Whitechapel
Whitechapel
Whitechapel is a built-up inner city district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London, England. It is located east of Charing Cross and roughly bounded by the Bishopsgate thoroughfare on the west, Fashion Street on the north, Brady Street and Cavell Street on the east and The Highway on the...
. Kray was sentenced to life imprisonment
Life imprisonment
Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life...
for the murder three years later and remained in prison until his death in 1995.
History
George Cornell was from east London and was originally known as George Myers but had changed his surname some years earlier. Cornell was a tough, loyal enforcer who worked for the Richardson Gang; he was known for being totally fearless.A childhood friend of the Kray twins
Kray twins
Reginald "Reggie" Kray and his twin brother Ronald "Ronnie" Kray were the foremost perpetrators of organised crime in London's East End during the 1950s and 1960s...
, Cornell was a prominent criminal in east London during the 1960s and upon moving to South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
joined up with the Kray Twins' rivals, the Richardson Gang, who were brothers Charlie Richardson and Eddie Richardson. Cornell, along with Richardson gang colleague and friend "Mad" Frankie Fraser
Frankie Fraser
Francis Davidson Fraser is a former British criminal and gang member who spent 42 years in prison for numerous violent offences.-Early life:...
, became an enforcer for the Richardsons and was primarily used by them in conversations with the Krays. Conversations were often held in pubs such as The Grave Maurice pub, which was also known as the 'Widow's pub', the nickname given as the landlady's husband had died. Ronnie Kray in particular, had once been friends with Cornell but his later dislike of him probably stemmed from Cornell's decision to side with The Richardson Gang after moving to south London.
Death
On March 9, 1966, Cornell and his friend Albie Woods entered the saloon bar of the Blind Beggar pub, ordered some light ales and then sat upon stools next to the bar. At around 8:30pm, both men were approached by Ronnie Kray; on seeing him, Cornell sneered with sarcasm "Look who's here". Ronnie Kray walked towards Cornell, took out a 9 mm Mauser, and calmly shot him once in the forehead, just above his right eye. Cornell slumped against a nearby pillar, the bullet, apparently, passing straight through him. Cornell was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died at around 3:30am. The news spread rapidly. Although Ronnie Kray was identified by several eyewitnesses as he calmly left the public house, no one would agree to testify against him and the police were forced to release him from custody. Cornell was buried in Camberwell New CemeteryCamberwell Cemeteries
The two Camberwell cemeteries are within close proximity to one another in Honor Oak, South London, England. Both have noteworthy burials and architecture...
, South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
.
Old Bailey trial
On March 4, 1969 Ronnie Kray was unanimously found guilty by a jury at The Old Bailey of the murder of George Cornell.His brother Reggie was also found guilty of murdering Jack McVitie, who was murdered the year after Cornell.
They were both sentenced to life imprisonment
Life imprisonment
Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life...
. Ronnie died in jail in March 1995, while Reggie was imprisoned for a total of 32 years before he was released from custody on compassionate grounds in August 2000 as a result of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, from which he died a few weeks after his release.