An infamous London gangster known as "Mad" Frankie Fraser has died in hospital aged 90, a former associate said.
In his 1960s heyday, Fraser was known as an enforcer who inflicted bloody violence on behalf of the two gangs that dominated London, the Kray twins and the Richardson brothers.
Eddie Richardson, half of the South London crime gang leadership, described Fraser as an "old acquaintance" as he confirmed his death on Wednesday.
"He's had a long life and I don't think he's done too bad. He had Alzheimer's for about three years, so I don't think he knew what day it was," Richardson said.
Once known as Britain's most violent man, Fraser spent a total of 42 years in prison for a range of offences. Starting out as a child thief, Fraser's criminal career took off during the second world war when he escaped service as a soldier and took advantage of sparse policing and shortages.
"The war was wonderful, for thieving wise, gangster wise and everything," he Richardson wrote. "Clothes were rationed, food was rationed, so all you had to do was nick them commodities and people bit your arm off to buy it off you."