Man who turned in the Krays dies at 80
A Kray twins henchman who dared to turn against the criminals has died in a care home at the age of 80.
Albert Donoghue was a chief lieutenant in Ronnie and Reggie’s gangland empire in the 1960s.
He lured “Mad Axeman” Frank Mitchell into the back of a van on the pretence he was being taken to a safehouse.
Mitchel l was shot 12 times. When the Krays were arrested, they tried to blame Donoghue for the murder.
But he turned informant and spilled the beans on the ruthless twins.
Ex-gangster Alan Dixon, 75, served 22 years in prison and was still in touch with his former rival.
They shared a rum a month ago on their last get-together in Dagenham, London, just a few miles from their old stamping ground.
Recal l ing how gangs ruled the east end, Dixon said: “There were three firms – the Krays, Dixons and Richardsons.
“The Krays said, ‘Put your hands up to these murders’ and he said ‘ b*******’. He didn’t take the blame like other idiots.
“He wa s a lway s a gentleman. We all knew where we stood.”
Despite Donoghue’s evidence, the Krays were cleared of Mitchell’s murder but convicted on other charges, including the murder of Jack McVitie.
Donoghue – whose 2002 book The Enforcer told of his life with the Krays – got 18 months for the Mitchell case.