Ronnie Kray warned of 'life of misery' to Fred Dinenage

A recording of gangster Ronnie Kray telling young people crime only brings "a life of misery" has been discovered.

Twin brothers Ronnie and Reggie Kray ran a gangland empire in London during the 1950s and 60s and were sent to prison for 30 years for murder.

Television presenter Fred Dinenage has uncovered recordings from one of his visits with one of the Kray twins.

Ronnie Kray spent 16 years in Broadmoor Hospital after being judged to be criminally insane and died in 1995.

TV presenter Fred Dinenage has interviewed the Kray twins on multiple occasions during his broadcasting career

Mr Dinenage interviewed the twins on multiple occasions and said he found this particular clip in his loft from the 1980s.

In it Ronnie Kray said: "Very young people who have read our books, they think we've had a glamourous life.

"But I advise any young people today, not to get in any trouble, because it will only bring them a life of misery."

The broadcaster told the BBC he has kept a number of recordings of the brothers, which were taken as part of research for his book Our Story, written from the Krays' perspective.

Ronnie Kray (left) spent 16 years in Broadmoor Hospital after being diagnosed as insane

Mr Dinenage said he found the tape recording of Ronnie Kray in his "very cobwebby attic" and was amazed it still worked.

He said: "It was extraordinary, eerie feeling because it's like a voice from the grave.

"I couldn't believe it, it was like Ronnie was actually suddenly in the room with me."

Reggie Kray was sent to prison for 30 years for murder

Mr Dinenage said he and the Kray twins "always got on like a house on fire", describing Reggie as being "very fit, agile and strong", while Ronnie was "absolutely immaculate".

He added: "As far as I was concerned, they were complete gentleman. I even took my wife Beverley in to meet Ronnie and she and Ronnie got on like a house on fire.

"Often the Kray twins would say to me: 'Fred if anybody ever upset you, you will tell us won't you.' I never ever did because repercussions would have been quite serious.

"I never felt under any kind of threat at all."

Mr Dinenage is now travelling across the county for his theatre show Ronnie, Reggie and Me, telling his own stories of meeting the twins.

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