Tommy "Wassel" Newman was a well-known character and fighter around Bethnal Green and a friend of Reggie Kray. He was known for his strong fists, smart clothing and polished white teeth, in which he claimed was due to eating bread crusts. It was alleged he once threw a cat in a deep fat fryer whilst in an argument with a fish and chip shop owner. The last time Reggie saw him was in 1966 when he was standing on the corner of Cheshire Street, wearing a navy Crombie coat after being to a funeral of an old friend.
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