Background
Born in Shoreditch to Louisa L A (née Baker) and Frederick J Dimes, Dimes grew up in nearby Clerkenwell.
Born in Shoreditch to Louisa L A (née Baker) and Frederick J Dimes, Dimes grew up in nearby Clerkenwell.
He worked for gang leader William "Billy" Hill, who was allegedly involved in bookmaking and loansharking during the 1940s and 1950s. In July 1941 Dimes was convicted with Joseph Collette of attacking Edward Fletcher at a Soho Club in Wardour Street. The Recorder noted that the incident took place "under the shadow of a graver offence.
One man had lost his life and another man was under sentence of death." He dismissed any prejudice against second generation Italians.
Harry Capocci was acquitted and Dimes was bound over for three years. In the same incident, Harry "Little Hubby" Distleman was stabbed to death by Antonio Mancini.
Neither man was charged. As a result of his arrest, Spot"s power in the city"s underworld declined.
In 1966, Dimes helped to arrange a conference between New York mafiosi and the Corsican Francisci brothers, apparently regarding investing in London casinos.
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. Dimes died in November 1972 at his home on Oakwood Avenue, Beckenham from cancer, with his funeral held on 20 November 1972 in Beckenham. The kray Twins sent a wreath that read "To a fine gentleman - From Regional & Ron Kray".
The wreath was reportedly destroyed by friends of the family who believed the association brought shame.
