Reg Kray: The Notorious Gangster’s Life and Crimes

Reg Kray remains one of the most infamous names from London’s East End — a boxer turned gangster who spent three decades behind bars. This article examines his life, crimes, and the unanswered questions still surrounding him.

Born: 24 October 1933 · Died: 1 October 2000 · Convicted of: Murder · Sentence: Life imprisonment · Number of wives: 2 · Children: 1 son

Reggie Kray’s life breaks into a handful of defining chapters. Here are the key biographical facts at a glance.

What happened to Reggie Kray?

Early life and rise in organised crime

• Reginald Kray and his twin brother Ronald were born on 24 October 1933 in Haggerston, East London (Wikipedia: Kray twins).
• Both brothers boxed as amateurs in the 1950s, establishing a tough public persona (Crime+Investigation UK: Kray twins file).
• By the 1960s they controlled a large part of London’s East End underworld, drawing protection money and running illegal gambling (YouTube analysis video).

Arrest and trial

The brothers were arrested on 8 May 1968 after a long investigation led by Detective Superintendent Leonard “Nipper” Read (Wikipedia: Kray twins). In 1969 they were convicted of murder – Ronnie for the killing of George Cornell, Reggie for the murder of Jack McVitie (Crime+Investigation UK: Kray twins file).

Later years and death

Reggie was sentenced to life imprisonment and served 32 years. He was released on compassionate grounds in August 2000, just eight weeks before he died of cancer (Wikipedia: Kray twins). He passed away on 1 October 2000 at the age of 66 (Wikipedia: Kray twins).

The pattern is clear: the same rise-and-fall arc runs through many gangster biographies, but the Krays’ twin dynamic made theirs unique.

What was Reggie Kray’s diagnosis?

Mental health evaluations

During his time in prison, Reggie underwent psychiatric assessments. While his brother Ronnie was openly diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and sent to Broadmoor, Reggie’s own diagnosis remains a matter of debate (Crime+Investigation UK: Kray twins file).

Paranoid schizophrenia claim

Some reports indicate that Reggie was also diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, though the specifics are not widely documented (YouTube analysis video). The confusion is partly because many records lump the twins together.

Impact on trial and sentencing

Unlike Ronnie, whose mental state led to his transfer to Broadmoor in 1979, Reggie was deemed fit for standard prison. He spent his sentence in Category B and later Category C prisons (Wikipedia: Kray twins).

The implication: mental health labels shaped each twin’s custodial fate as much as their crimes.

How many years did Reggie Kray get?

Murder of Jack McVitie

In October 1967, Reggie Kray stabbed Jack McVitie to death. The murder was a key charge in the 1969 trial (Wikipedia: Kray twins).

Life sentence

The judge handed down a life sentence, with a minimum term of 30 years (Crime+Investigation UK: Kray twins file). Reggie served 32 years in total.

Parole and release

He was finally released on compassionate grounds in August 2000 after being diagnosed with terminal bladder cancer (Wikipedia: Kray twins).

The implication: Reggie’s life sentence effectively became a death sentence in prison. Despite a compassionate release, he had only weeks of freedom left.

Who was tougher, Ronnie or Reggie Kray?

Physical strength and boxing

Both brothers were accomplished amateur boxers. Public perception often placed Ronnie as the more intimidating figure, but Reggie was known as the more disciplined fighter (Crime+Investigation UK: Kray twins file).

Mental state and violence

Ronnie was considered mentally unstable and prone to erratic violence. In contrast, Reggie was seen as the calmer, more strategic twin (YouTube analysis video). Prison psychiatrists described Ronnie as “educationally subnormal, psychopathic, schizophrenic and insane” (Wikipedia: Kray twins).

Public perception

Commentators often contrast the twins: Ronnie the gangster, Reggie the gentleman (Wikipedia: Kray twins). But that gentleman image masks a man convicted of a brutal stabbing.

The trade-off: Ronnie’s instability made him more dangerous in the moment; Reggie’s control made him the more effective criminal operator.

Did Reggie Kray have any children?

Son Gary Kray

Reggie fathered one son, Gary Kray, from a relationship before his marriage (Wikipedia: Kray twins). Gary has largely stayed out of the public eye.

Relationship with Frances Shea

He married Frances Shea in 1965. Their marriage was turbulent, and Frances died by suicide in 1967 (Wikipedia: Kray twins).

Later marriage to Roberta Jones

While serving his life sentence, Reggie married Roberta Jones in 1997. She remained with him until his death (Crime+Investigation UK: Kray twins file).

The catch: the same man who could kill could also sustain lasting bonds — a contradiction that defies easy judgement.

Ronnie vs Reggie: A comparison

Four attributes, one clear pattern: Ronnie was the volatile half, Reggie the calculating one.

Timeline of Reggie Kray’s life

• 24 October 1933 – Born in Haggerston, London (Wikipedia: Kray twins)
• 1950s – Amateur boxing career (Crime+Investigation UK: Kray twins file)
• 1960s – Rise as leading gangster in East End (YouTube analysis video)
• 1965 – Marriage to Frances Shea (Wikipedia: Kray twins)
• 1967 – Frances Shea dies by suicide (Wikipedia: Kray twins)
• 8 May 1968 – Arrested with Ronnie for murder (Wikipedia: Kray twins)
• 1969 – Sentenced to life imprisonment for murder of Jack McVitie (Crime+Investigation UK: Kray twins file)
• 1997 – Marries Roberta Jones in prison (Crime+Investigation UK: Kray twins file)
• August 2000 – Released on compassionate grounds (Wikipedia: Kray twins)
• 1 October 2000 – Dies of cancer (Wikipedia: Kray twins)

What we know vs what remains unclear

Voices from the case

“Ronnie Kray was described by prison psychiatrists as ‘educationally subnormal, psychopathic, schizophrenic and insane’.”

– Prison psychiatrists, as recorded by Wikipedia: Kray twins

“The Kray twins controlled organized crime in the East End of London. Ronnie was a very disturbed individual who needed to be in Broadmoor.”

– Criminal psychiatrist, YouTube analysis video

“Reggie was the more controlled twin. He could turn on the charm when he needed to.”

– Family member, cited in Crime+Investigation UK: Kray twins file

The voices around Reggie Kray are split: some see a cold killer, others a product of his environment and upbringing. The truth probably lies in the grey area between.

Summary

Reg Kray’s story is not just one of crime and punishment—it’s a cautionary tale about the price of notoriety. For those fascinated by the 1960s East End underworld, the choice is clear: separate the myth from the man, or risk glorifying a life that ended in prison and an early grave.

Related reading: **19 Crimes Red Wine: Bold Blend with a Rebellious Story**

Den som vill fördjupa sig i Reginald Krays bakgrund kan läsa mer om hans uppväxt och tidiga kriminella karriär hos Reginald Krays bakgrund.

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