LONDON — 1966 · Murder

The Kray Twins and the Blind Beggar Murder

SolvedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

Twin brothers Ronald and Reginald Kray, who ran a gang known as 'the Firm' in the East End of London, were associated with protection rackets, gambling, armed robbery and violence from the late 1950s until 1968; photographed with celebrities, they achieved a kind of fame. On 9 March 1966 Ronald Kray shot dead George Cornell, a member of the rival Richardson gang, in front of witnesses at the Blind Beggar pub in Whitechapel; intimidated witnesses long refused to speak. In October 1967 Reginald Kray killed gang associate Jack McVitie. After an investigation led by Detective Leonard 'Nipper' Read, the twins were arrested on 8 May 1968 and in March 1969 were convicted of both murders at the Old Bailey and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Date
1966
Place
Whitechapel, UK, London, UK
Category
Murder
Case Status
Solved
Coordinates
51.5195, -0.0606 ↗

Timeline of Events

  1. 9 March 1966George Cornell was killed at the Blind Beggar pub.
  2. October 1967Jack McVitie was killed.
  3. 8 May 1968The Kray twins were arrested.
  1. March 1969The twins were convicted at the Old Bailey and given life sentences.
  2. 1995 and 2000Ronald died in 1995 and Reginald in 2000.

Sources

Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.

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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.