LEGENDARY gangster Bobby Cummines, the notorious 1970s gangster who was caged alongside the Krays, has died aged 74.
Robert “Bobby” Cummines was an English former gang leader, protection racketeer, armed robber, and criminal enforcer who turned his life around.
His family confirmed his death on his official Instagram page which reads: “It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of our beloved Bobby Cummines OBE who died on Thursday March 5.
“The family has asked for privacy at this difficult time. Details regarding the funeral will be shared in due course.”
Born in Islington, London on November 23, 1951, Cummines was the youngest of eight children.
Growing up in a law-abiding family in King’s Cross, Bobby left school at 16 with no qualifications.
After being sacked from a shipping office, Cummines decided to begin a criminal career – and quickly became Britain’s youngest armed robber.
Within a year he was in the Old Bailey charged with possession of a shotgun and armed robbery, and was sent to a Detention Centre.
After his release, he then went on to become a gangland leader of criminal enforcers, extortionists and racketeers known as “The Chaps”, employing extreme violence in 1970s throughout North London.
Despite being described as a gangster, Cummines refused to accept the label, saying he never considered himself one.
Cummines later became a respected anti-crime campaigner whose charities have helped rehabilitate hundreds of ex-offenders.
He also wrote an autobiography which was published in 2015 – detailing his life of crime and how he found the road to redemption.
Throughout his criminal career, Cummines found himself behind bars on a number of occasions, serving 13 years.
After being sentenced to a Detention Centre at just 16, he served five years of a seven and a half year sentence for manslaughter.
He was found not guilty of murder after the man he tied up during an armed robbery choked to death.
He was finally released from prison in 1987 and made a fresh start with his wife and daughter.
While serving his sentence in Parkhurst Prison, met notorious criminal Charlie Richardson – who ended up having a huge impact on his life, ultimately sending him on the road to redemption.
Richardson encouraged Cummines to get into education and start reading and he went on to study for a degree while in prison.
He later became CEO of Unlock, the National Association of Reformed Offenders – providing practical support and advice and developed a particular expertise in tackling the financial exclusion of ex-offenders.
Unlock became a powerful force in the rehabilitation of offenders, and in 2011 Unlock won The Guardian’s Charity of the Year Award.
Cummines was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II that same year, in June 2011, in recognition of his services to reformed offenders.
Tributes have flooded in for Cummines with those who knew him saying he “helped thousands of people rebuild their lives”.
Mandy Writing wrote on Thursday night: “Such sad news. RIP my friend Bobby Cummines OBE.”
Another wrote: “RIP Bobby Cummies. Fly high. Such sad news. Condolences to Bobby’s family at this sad time.”
“Absolutely gutted. Fly high Mr Bobby Cummines, you was a true and wonderful gent. RIP my good friend,” wrote a third.
Andy Nolan, author of Green Bloods, said: “We’re all so very saddened to hear of Bobby Cummines untimely passing. I had the pleasure of interviewing Bobby a few years ago for Green Bloods where he proudly told me all about his Irish roots & growing up on the Old Cally Road in North London.
“May you rest in eternal peace Bobby, until we meet again.”
Steve Darve posted: “RIP Bobby Cummines OBE, a true Gentleman who helped thousands of people rebuild their lives through Unlock, his charity foundation.”
