Who was Ronnie Knight and what crimes did he commit?
RONNIE Knight, the man involved in the biggest cash theft in history, has died aged 89.
He had battled Parkinson’s and passed away in a nursing home in Cambridge on June 12, 2023, The Sun revealed.
Who was Ronnie Knight?
Ronnie Knight was a former nightclub owner born in Hoxton, London, on January 20, 1934.
He was involved in minor infractions with the law when he was young, whereas his brothers John and James were involved in more significant crimes.
Along with his brothers, Ronnie was friendly with “gangsters” the Kray twins, but denies ever being connected with their illegal activities.
Ronnie ran the Artistes and Repertoire Club on Charing Cross Road and its neighbour Tin Pan Alley in Soho, London.
Both establishments were favoured by the criminal underworld.
What crimes did Ronnie Knight commit?
In 1983, almost £6million was stolen from a Security Express depot in Shoreditch, East London.
After a decade on the run in the Costa Del Sol, Knight was finally jailed for his part in the crime.
Although Knight denied taking part in the robbery, he was charged after he admitted to handling some of the proceeds.
Speaking about why he got involved in committing crimes, he told The Scotsman in 2002: “It’s the way you’re brought up.
“The only way you could look after yourself is learn to fight. My father made us fight.
“If I got beaten, my dad took me and stood me in front of the kid and said ‘Fight him now.’
“And I knew I couldn’t lose ’cos I would get whacked by my father.
“When you grew up you wanted to be as good as the other people you’re seeing around you.
“You start earning money but not the way you should be earning money.”
Was Ronnie Knight married and did he have any children?
Knight was married three times and has two children.
Most famously he was married to the late actress Barbara Windsor.
They met when Knight was already married to his first wife June.
But he divorced her and tied the knot with Barbara in 1964.
The pair were married for 22 years, but after he moved to Spain, the actress requested a divorce.
During their tumultuous relationship, both parties were rumoured to be having affairs.
In 1987, Knight married his third wife Sue Haylock in Fuengirola.