Changes: Leslie Payne

Revision as of 15:55, 4 April 2018

Leslie James Payne was a con-man who worked for the Krays during the 1960s. He acted at the twins business manager and encouraged them to broaden their empire into the club world, often persuading them to purchase casinos, clubs, and pubs, notably The Hideaway (later renamed El Morocco).

He considered himself a cultured man and he was sickened by the twins' violence, and acted a key witness during the Kray trial in 1969 where he gave evidence against them after Ronnie Kray paid Jack McVitie to shoot him at his home in 1967.

History

Early Life

Payne was born in Paddington, London, in 1927. His mother was from a poor background and his father a rich one, who worked as a solicitor. Payne was an Infantry Sergeant during WWII and was present at the battle of Monte Cassino in 1944. After release from the army in 1947, he asserted himself as a suave and professional businessman.

The Krays

Payne first came into contact with the twins via his car dealership in Stratford. After a business deal went wrong in 1959, he met the brothers and demonstrated his skills of negotiation. He soon joined The Firm and was favoured more by Reggie than Ronnie. Reggie found him useful whereas Ron was sceptical of his presence in The Firm. He fell out with the twins in early 1966.

Davidthrewis — Above and below: David Thewlis portraying Payne in Legend (2015).

Murder Attempt

After he drifted away from them in the years leading up to 1967, Ronnie Kray offered Jack McVitie £500 to kill Payne as he believed Payne was going to contact the police about their criminal activities. Billy Exley drove Jack McVitie to Payne’s house in Tulse Hill and McVitie was planning on shooting Payne when he answered the door. McVitie failed to do this, instead, spending the money on drink and pills and bragging about it instead which subsequently lead to his murder in October 1967. Payne gave evidence against the Krays during the trial due to the assassination attempt.

Books

The Brotherhood, Michael Joseph, Hardcover, 173 pages, 7th May 1973 (rare)

References

Bennett, John. Krayology (2015). Mango Books.

People associated with The Krays
Kray Family	Ronnie • Reggie • Charlie • Violet • Charles
Shea Family	Frances • Frank • Elsie • Frank Sr.
Lee Family	Cannonball Lee • Grandma Lee • Aunt Rose • Aunt May • Uncle John
The Firm	Albert Donoghue • Ian Barrie • Leslie Payne • Big Pat • Ronnie Bender • Ronnie Hart • Teddy Smith • Jack Dickson • The Bear • Chris Lambrianou • Tony Lambrianou • Connie Whitehead
The Richardsons	Charlie Richardson • Eddie Richardson • George Cornell • Mad Frankie Fraser • Roy Hall • Jimmy Moody • Barry Harris • Albert Longman • Tommy Clark
Gangsters & Criminals	Freddie Foreman • Jack Spot • Billy Hill • Bert Rossi • Albert Dimes • Eric Mason • Johnny Squibb • Ginger Marks • Leslie Holt
Civilians	The Barmaid • Blonde Carol • Maureen Flanagan • Nipper Read • Lord Boothby • John Pearson • David Bailey
Victims	George Cornell • Frank Mitchell • Jack the Hat

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 |origin=Paddington
 |status=Deceased
-}}'''Leslie James Payne''' was a con-man who worked for the Krays during the 1960s. He acted at the twins business manager and encouraged them to broaden their empire into the club world and often persuaded them to buy casinos, clubs, and pubs, notably [[The Hideaway]] (later renamed El Morocco).
+}}'''Leslie James Payne''' was a con-man who worked for the Krays during the 1960s. He acted at the twins business manager and encouraged them to broaden their empire into the club world, often persuading them to purchase casinos, clubs, and pubs, notably [[The Hideaway]] (later renamed El Morocco).
-He considered himself a cultured man and he was sickened by the twins' violence and was a key witness during the Kray trial where he gave evidence against them after [[Ronnie Kray]] paid [[Jack McVitie]] to shoot him in 1967.
+He considered himself a cultured man and he was sickened by the twins' violence, and acted a key witness during the Kray trial in 1969 where he gave evidence against them after [[Ronnie Kray]] paid [[Jack McVitie]] to shoot him at his home in 1967.
 ==History==