GANGLAND figure Dave Courtney, who has died aged 64, lived in a sprawling house dubbed “Camelot Castle”.
With turrets, a rifle-wielding cowboy mannequin and a mural depicting Dave as a knight on a horse – the former school is quite the statement.
Dave Courtney, who has died aged 64, lived in a sprawling house dubbed ‘Camelot Castle’[/caption]
In Dave’s front room hung a painting of the late reformed criminal with a halo and angel wings[/caption]
But that is just the outside of the white end-of-terrace, which is also adorned with golden lions, Union Jacks and once had a Knight’s Templar-style gangster mural.
Inside the £650,000 property, in Plumstead, South East London, a grotto of film set weapons, boys toys and even a “dungeon” await.
In Dave’s front room hung a painting of the late reformed criminal with a halo and angel wings.
The paint used contains Dave’s DNA, as he asked the painter to fill half a pot of paint with his own blood.
The next room has a pool table in the centre, and photos of Dave and his family.
Fake weapons adorning the walls belong to Dave’s former housemate and best pal Brendan, who owns a film company.
The dining room is home to shelves full of books, as well as a range of old medals, military helmets, boxing gloves, and a bust of Beethoven.
The kitchen is perhaps the least decorated room in the house, with modest fittings and appliances.
But the surprises in the sprawling mansion don’t stop there.
Outside is a small nightclub, which doubles as a cinema.
A jacuzzi also features.
You then get to the “dungeon” where Dave once claimed adult films were made and underwear brands used for modelling.
He previously said: “If I was to die tomorrow I would die smiling.
“I’ve got beautiful friends. Had far too many beautiful ladies in my life.”
On Sunday, his family confirmed Dave had died, saying he “took his own life”.
They said in a statement: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Courtney at the age of 64.
“Dave tragically took his own life in the early hours of Sunday 22nd October, with a firearm at his Camelot Castle home in Plumstead.”
The Sun understands the tragedy happened at around 4am on Sunday.
Cops were called to Camelot Castle at around 11am but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A lodger is understood to have discovered the 64-year-old former TV actor and showman with a pillow over his face, which would have muffled the sound.
He was said to have put a glove on before firing a Glock 9mm pistol into his head.
One pal said: “They stayed up until 4am drinking and went to bed. At around 11am his lodger and friend Brendan went to look in Dave’s bedroom because it was very quiet.
“He found Dave in bed with a pillow placed across his face and he had been shot in the head.
“The first impression was that he had taken his own life. But the police have to be certain and are investigating.’”
His death is not being probed by the Met’s homicide command, they do not believe it is suspicious.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
The house is adorned with golden lions, Union Jacks and a mural of Dave as a knight on a horse[/caption]
On Sunday, his family confirmed Dave had died, saying he ‘took his own life’[/caption]
Inside the £650,000 property, in Plumstead, South East London, a grotto of film set weapons, boys toys and even a ‘dungeon’ await[/caption]
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