TONY LAMBRIANOU
Tony Lambrianou deserves respect. He stood beside Ron in the dock at the Old Bailey in 1968 then he did 15 years for his part in disposing of Jack the Hat’s body. He could have got a lesser sentence if he’d grassed on the twins, but he didn’t. He kept his mouth shut, he did his time in some of Britain’s toughest prisons and he did it like a man. For that alone, in my eyes he deserves respect – big time.
I first met Tony on the day I married Ron. He wasn’t in Broadmoor with us for the actual ceremony, but he joined the gangster party we gave for 200 afterwards at a nearby hotel.
Tony looked – and still looks – just like you’d think a gangster should look, very Al Capone. He wouldn’t look out of place in any of those old gangster movies. He was a good-looking man when he was younger. He’s still a looker, but I think he has a sad face. He loves socialising and he’s very much the perfect host, but perhaps what you see isn’t what you get with Tony.
He has an amazing voice. The first thing that strikes you is this booming, deep, gravelly voice. If Tony says, ‘Sit,’ every dog in the room does – and not just the furry kind!
He’s not a whinger but I don’t think Tony has had an easy time of it. It must have been very difficult for him when he came out after 15 years with his name and reputation. He could hardly get a job serving behind the counter in the local post office, could he?
Instead, he’s done the next best thing – he writes books, gives talks on the circuit about his past, his life, people he’s known. A lot of people criticise him for doing that but, to me, he’s got every right to do it. He lost 15 years of his life and where does a man like him go from there?
BACKGROUND
I would rather not talk about my background. That is private, and I’d like to keep it that way.
LIFE OF CRIME
I’ve spent 15 years in prison.
IS PRISON A DETERRENT?
No. There’s no benefit in it, nothing at the end of it. It just doesn’t do any good.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN CAPITAL PUNISHMENT?
No, they’ve got it wrong too many times. The l ast ten people they hanged – they were all dodgy cases.
WHAT WOULD HAVE DETERRED YOU FROM A LIFE OF CRIME?
Nothing. Situation and circumstance made my life what it is.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN STABBED/SHOT?
I’ve been shot at twice – a couple of people have taken pot shots. But I’m still here.
SCARIEST MOMENT?
Standing in the dock and being sentenced to 15 years. I was gutted. I looked at the future and I didn’t like what I saw.
WHAT RATTLES YOUR CAGE?
False people, people who pretend to be something they’re not.
HAVE YOU EVER REALLY LOVED ANYONE?
I think you can love anyone. I’ve loved other men as brothers, people like Ronnie and Reggie, Freddie Foreman, friends. I loved my parents very much, my first wife and my kids – not forgetting my lady now, Wendy. I love her.
WHAT FRIGHTENS YOU?
I’m a bit long in the tooth to be frightened … death, maybe. But we’ve all got to die sometime. So, nah … I’m not frightened of anything.
DESCRIBE A HARD BASTARD
A man who stands by his principles, no matter what.
NAME A HARD BASTARD
Roy Shaw. A man would have to be brave or mad to take on Roy Shaw, the best bare-knuckle fighter in this country.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?
Hopefully just where I am now, enjoying my life. I’m happy where I am now.
ANY REGRETS?
You can’t regret anything you’ve done; it’s gone and that’s that.