Albert Dimes
Encyclopedia
Albert "Italian Al" Dimes was a London criminal and enforcer from Clerkenwell
east central London, he worked for gang leader William "Billy" Hill
, who was allegedly involved in bookmaking and loansharking during the 1940s and 50s. In August 1955, Dimes was arrested with rival gangster Jack Spot
during a knife fight in Soho
although neither man was charged. As a result of his arrest, Spot's power in the city's underworld declined. In 1966, Dimes helped arrange a conference between New York mafiosi and the Corcican Francisi Brothers regarding investing in London casinos http://www.bunker8.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/orgcrim/potter.htm. 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 http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/your-favourite-british-films/5030-criminal-1960-a.html.
Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell is an area of central London in the London Borough of Islington. From 1900 to 1965 it was part of the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury. The well after which it was named was rediscovered in 1924. The watchmaking and watch repairing trades were once of great importance...
east central London, he worked for gang leader William "Billy" Hill
Billy Hill (gangster)
Billy Hill was a famous British gangster and criminal mastermind from the 1920s through to the 1960s.-Biography:...
, who was allegedly involved in bookmaking and loansharking during the 1940s and 50s. In August 1955, Dimes was arrested with rival gangster Jack Spot
Jack Spot
Jack "Spot" Comer was a notorious British gangster during the 1930s, 1940sand 1950s.-Early life:Born as Jacob Comacho, Jack Comer was the youngest of four children. His father was a poor Jewish tailor's machinist who had moved to London with his wife from Łódź, Poland in 1903...
during a knife fight in Soho
Soho
Soho is an area of the City of Westminster and part of the West End of London. Long established as an entertainment district, for much of the 20th century Soho had a reputation for sex shops as well as night life and film industry. Since the early 1980s, the area has undergone considerable...
although neither man was charged. As a result of his arrest, Spot's power in the city's underworld declined. In 1966, Dimes helped arrange a conference between New York mafiosi and the Corcican Francisi Brothers regarding investing in London casinos http://www.bunker8.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/orgcrim/potter.htm. An associate of Charlie Richardson, his presence in Soho delayed 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...
from moving into the area for several years.
The character Johnny Bannion, played by Stanley Baker
Stanley Baker
Sir Stanley Baker was a Welsh actor and film producer.-Early career:William Stanley Baker was born in Ferndale, Rhondda Valley, Wales. In the mid-1930s his parents moved to London, where Baker spent most of his formative years...
in the 1960 film The Criminal
The Criminal
The Criminal is a 1960 British drama film produced by Nat Cohen and directed by Joseph Losey, starring Stanley Baker, Sam Wanamaker and Jill Bennett. Baker plays an ex-con who takes part in the robbery of a racetrack and is caught and sent back to prison...
, was reportedly claimed by director Joseph Losey
Joseph Losey
Joseph Walton Losey was an American theater and film director. After studying in Germany with Bertolt Brecht, Losey returned to the United States, eventually making his way to Hollywood...
to be partly based on Dimes http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/your-favourite-british-films/5030-criminal-1960-a.html.
Further reading
- Morton, James and Parker, Jerry. Gangland Bosses: The Lives of Jack Spot and Billy Hill. United Kingdom: Stratford Books. ISBN 0-316-85991-5