Have you ever met a famous criminal?

[WomenHour]

I haven't just wondering how common it is

Yes I grew up in spain when the Andalucías coast was known as ‘the costa del crime’ do you favourable non extradition laws. I met quite a few well known criminals including Ronnie Knight and once answered the phone in a shop to Charlie Kray. Oh and yes there’s also Jeffery Archer who I have met through work. The Costa criminals all used to congregate in the same bars. Some were very gentlemanly and others were horrible brutes. My dad used to sometimes have to deal with them.

My uncle was one of the great train robbers and my mum used to drink in the same pub as Charlie Kray.

A student at a school I worked at went on to be a serial killer. He committed suicide while on trial.

Some parents at schools in other countries have also been involved in criminal activities - tax evasion and match fixing amongst others.

I used to work in a women's prison and have met many notorious people including Rose West, Mairead Philpott, Joanna Dennehy and Shauna Hoare

My uncle is a relatively well-known murderer. He lived with us for a while when I was younger. He’s now serving what is effectively a life term for his crimes and we don’t have any contact with him.

Quite rightly the focus of support is all on the victim’s family but it’s a very strange feeling to be on the other side of it.

A friend was waiting for a bus with their mum and needed a wee, her mum let her go in the bushes by the bus stop. The next day one of Peter Sutcliffes victims was found in there

Yes, Oscar Pistorius at the London Olympics. He was actually lovely and was a lot nicer than most other athletes (Serena Williams I’m looking at you..) - was really shocked after the shooting - his poor, poor girlfriend

Never met a famous criminal, however a childhood friend was murdered in a very very high profile case a few years ago.

A few years ago, my parents & i went on holiday to Majorca. We went to a bar one night & my dad recognised the guy behind the bar. He (barman who turned out to be owner) went white when he seen my dad. Upshot was, my dad had been at school with this guy & were friends until they were in their twenties. This guy then took a wrong turn in life and started petty crimes. He then did a "big" job, where he was robbing a security van, he was armed & shot and killed one of the security men. He then "disappeared " until my dad came across him in Majorca. It was a surreal moment.

Gianni Versace's(RIP) and Lee Miglin's (RIP)(amongst others' )killer went to the same school where my DC played sports...such a horribly sad trail that he left in his wake😭

I met Rosemary West and Myra Hindley - whilst they were in prison. Both were considered (and considered themselves) minor celebrities with other inmates fawning over them. I also met Jimmy Saville at a birthday party for a relative (obviously before the news broke) and he made my skin crawl even though I hadn't a clue about his activities. Just something about him, and I told my friend that I couldn't bear to be near him.

Not sure if it counts but John McAvoy. Armed robber turned triathlete. Interesting chap.

I haven't met any I'm aware of but following with interest

Back in 2014 I had a tenant named Khalid Masood. Fast forward a few years and he became better known as The Westminster Bridge Attacker.
He seemed very normal at the time.

Used to go out drinking with Fred West. We'd often go back to his for some "light entertainment".

I haven’t, but my mum met Christopher Craig, who carried out the killing that Derek Bentley was hanged for. She was Receiver of Wreck, and he was declaring a load of stuff to her that he’d taken off a wreck. He used an assumed name because he was still being harassed by writers and journalists from time to time, but he had to give his real name for the paperwork.

Someone I know let a room in her house to a man who seemed fine at first, but after a while she noticed a few oddities about him. She went to London for the day and when she returned, he had rearranged all the furniture in her house. He was Michael Fagan.

Taught one of the two youngest double killers.

I haven't but this is a good idea for a thread!

Not famous but when I was 18-22 worked closely with a man for 4 years. I genuinely really liked him and we got on well. One day I turned up to work and the police were there, he had murdered his wife and 2 young children. I was so shocked, I never ever saw something like that coming. It made me question the last five years of my life and gave me a lot of trust issues. It really messed me up.

I worked for the consultant who treat Myra Hindley when she broke her arm in prison, he had yo visit her there after her initial trip to hospital where I took notes of the consultation

I once met Frankie Fraser (known as "Mad" Frankie Fraser). He was infamous for being heavily involved in the Richardson Gang who were rivals to The Krays. He spent a lot of time in prison. Became a bit if a celebrity in later years.

When I met him, he was quite elderly and not in the best of health. He had recently been in some bother in his care home for arguing with another resident - was possibly given an ASBO. He was absolutely charming and a pleasure to talk to. Still very dapper and incredibly engaging.

I knew one of the guys from Operation Julie.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Julie

I also knew a woman who it turned out was working under an assumed name and turned out to be Heather Tallchief.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Solis

No.