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Royston Henry Shaw (11 March 1936 – 14 July 2012), also known as Roy "Pretty Boy" Shaw, Roy "Mean Machine" Shaw and Roy West, was a property investor, author and businessman from the East End of London who was formerly a criminal and Category A prisoner. During the 1970s & 80s Shaw was active in the criminal underworld of south London and was close friends with Joe Pyle. Shaw is best remembered today for his career as a fighter on the unlicensed boxing scene, becoming an arch-rival of Lenny McLean.[citation needed]

Early life

[edit]

Shaw was born in Stepney, London, to a working-class family and from an early age was involved in illegal activities. He was acquainted with the Kray twins since at least the very early 1960s; Shaw attended the funeral of Reggie Kray in 2000, and was quoted as having said: "We grew up in the same era. They were into protection rackets and I was into blags. I never got in their way and they never got in mine. Ronnie was more of a friend than Reggie, but I've come along today because he was one of the 'chaps'. Today is like the end of an era. The Krays were legends."[1] As an adult Shaw mainly lived in Bethnal Green.

Prison sentences

[edit]

Shaw was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment for an armed robbery in 1963, one of England's largest armoured truck robberies. Shaw reportedly fought his way out of two different holding cells at HM Prison Maidstone, assaulting several prison guards.

Shaw, who claimed he "simply hates the system", and that the "system could never beat him", was moved between different prisons and spent time at Broadmoor Hospital. According to Shaw's autobiography, Pretty Boy (1999), "uncontrollable prisoners, were deliberately drugged up with the aim of turning them into permanent 'cabbages'". At Broadmoor, Shaw underwent experimental electroconvulsive therapy in an attempt to control his temper. His doctor claimed that Shaw had at first come across as a large and intimidating yet soft-spoken gentleman, but when faced with treatment he didn't want, Shaw became "the most powerful and dangerous man I have ever tried to treat". The doctor reported the treatments as having been a complete failure, and only served to make Shaw even more aggressive and unpredictable.

Shaw routinely stabbed police informers and even slashed the throat of a former best friend while incarcerated owing to his strong belief in a "code of honour" among criminals that must not be broken.

During his time in Broadmoor, Shaw again encountered Ronnie Kray. He also spent time with such people as Ronnie Biggs and Charles Bronson at other prisons. By 1974, Shaw had already spent around 18 years in more than 22 different prisons.[2]

Unlicensed boxing career

[edit]

In his autobiography Shaw claimed to have had ten fights in his twenties using the alias "Roy West". However, he had only one professional bout - a six round points win against Dennis Wingrove at Wembley Town Hall in November 1956. Roy soon gave up the idea of boxing for a living when he found out that he could earn more money by robbing cash vans.

On his release from prison Shaw started fighting unlicensed (not sanctioned by the British Boxing Board of Control)[3] boxing matches in 1978, aged 42, and gained many infamous victories, including one over Donnie "The Bull" Adams. Shaw also beat former world heavyweight contender Ron Stander, who had also previously fought Joe Frazier for the heavyweight title. Stander however broke a rib before the fight with Roy Shaw. Shaw would later say in his book that he kept hitting Stander with punches which had no effect on Stander – until he found his broken rib. In Shaw's words "if Stander had not broken his rib he would have mullered me."

Shaw was best known for his infamous trilogy with arch-rival Lenny "The Guv'nor" McLean. Shaw beat McLean in their first fight, but lost in two other matches to McLean. Shaw claimed in his autobiography that they only fought twice, but later he admitted on his website that there were indeed three fights with McLean of which he lost two and won one. However, McLean was by far the bigger man and also much younger than Shaw. Shaw was well into his forties when he and McLean fought and was giving away stones in weight. Shaw stated on his website that the two unlicensed boxers he most admired were Cliff Field and Johnny Waldron, both of whom also defeated McLean.

Unlicensed boxing record

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In other media

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Press

[edit]

Shaw was something of a minor celebrity in the tabloids in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Shaw has also sometimes appeared in the press over the years, such as his attending of Ronnie Kray's funeral, or his 2009 court case (see 2009 court case section below).

DVD

[edit]

Shaw was the subject of a 2006 documentary DVD entitled Roy Shaw: Brute Force. It was directed by Liam Galvin and contained original footage of Shaw's unlicensed boxing matches, and also interviews with Shaw himself and other former criminal underworld figures and boxers he was associated with. It was followed up with a second DVD Roy Shaw's Fight School. In 2010, he appeared in Galvin's movie Killer Bitch which featured a host of criminals.[4]

Books

[edit]

Shaw has been mentioned or discussed in numerous books, most notably in arch-rival Lenny McLean's 1998 autobiography The Guv'Nor. and Hard Bastards by Kate Kray.

Shaw co-wrote a book with Kate Kray, the widow of Ronnie Kray, entitled Roy Shaw: Unleashed (2003). The book is a collection of stories and anecdotes about the criminal underworld of London in the 1970s/1980s, as well as Shaw's boxing career. Shaw's autobiography, entitled Pretty Boy (2003), was also co-written by Kray. It goes into further detail Shaw's early life, personal and private life, time in prison, and also expanding on stories begun in his previous book. A book written by Jamie Boyle & Gary Shaw, Roy’s son, called ‘Mean Machine. Roy Shaw’ was published by Warcrypress in 2019. It features many stories of Roy that had never been published.

Music

[edit]

Roy Shaw was celebrated in song in 2011 when a group called The Sharks released "The King Of London (aka The Ballad Of Pretty Boy Shaw)". The song was written by band member Alan Wilson who met and became friends with Roy Shaw via their mutual friend Ronnie Biggs.

Later life

[edit]

Shaw was married and is survived by a son, daughter and grandchildren. He latterly lived in Waltham Abbey, Essex with two Rottweilers as pets.[citation needed]

In 2000, Shaw was one of the best known mourners to attend the funeral of Reggie Kray, a lifelong friend. Shaw said of Kray: "Kray came from an era before drugs became common currency, when there was honour among thieves and few criminals double-crossed their friends. In those days there was loyalty. Nowadays they are all having each other over all the time."[1]

Having served all his prison sentences, Shaw stated that he was going straight and had retired from any criminal activity and bareknuckle boxing. Shaw became a businessman and author with numerous financial and non-financial ventures, such as a best-selling autobiography. He appeared in two documentary DVDs by Director Liam Galvin, 'Roy Shaw: Brute Force' and 'Roy Shaw-Fight School' and later made a cameo in the film Killer Bitch, he also became involved in numerous internet ventures, and property investment. The land investments, something Shaw had been involved in since before his first prison sentence, were the ventures which eventually made Shaw a millionaire.

2009 land sale court case

[edit]

Shaw formerly owned highly valued land in Chadwell Heath, east London, which he sold in a £2.6 million land sale in 2008. Shaw gave £643,000 of this to Linda Finnimore, 43, someone who Roy had met when he was battling early stages of Alzheimers and he believed she was helping him with his business affairs and that she was battling cancer, both of which turned out to be untrue.

After Roy's family had discovered what had happened due to questions being raised by Roy's bank calling his daughter Chettina, who had his power of attorney, because there was further very large transfer sums of money being requested for transfer, they took her to court. Lindsay Finnimore made claims to being his girlfriend and in a bid to have access to his assets made claims to being his common law wife. Roy said that he believed she was very intelligent and helping him but didn't find her attractive or girlfriend material. High Court judge Sir John Lindsay said that Finnimore had been "untruthful" in her case evidence. Of Finnimore, the judge said: "She, for whom the word 'feisty' could have been minted, is more educated than he and far more intelligent. Unfortunately, her considerable skills have not always been applied to acceptable purposes." Mark Morris of Aardvark Forensics Ltd provided expert evidence to the Court and demonstrated how a number of forged documents had been created on a personal computer.

Mr Justice Lindsay ultimately dismissed Miss Finnimore's claims against Shaw in March 2009 and ordered Finnimore to repay the money, together with sums of £208,450, £20,000 and £57,000, plus interest. Shaw was awarded nearly £1 million in total. Judge Lindsay said that when it was put to Shaw in court that he intended to transfer £643,000 to her, he replied: "Don't talk so silly – she took me for a right mug."[2]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Roy Shaw

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Roy Shaw (11 March 1936 – 14 July 2012), better known as "Pretty Boy" Shaw, was a British criminal, armed robber, and bare-knuckle fighter who earned a reputation as one of the most notorious figures in London's underworld. Born in , , Shaw endured a troubled childhood marked by following his father's death at age 10, which propelled him into a life of violence and crime from an early age. Shaw's criminal career began with petty offenses and escalated to serious armed robberies, leading to lengthy sentences. He served time in institutions such as , Parkhurst, and the high-security , where he underwent and drug treatments for behavioral issues before channeling his aggression into and fitness. Released in the mid-1970s after nearly two decades behind bars, Shaw transitioned into unlicensed boxing matches, building on his early success as a schoolboy champion, and defeating prominent fighters like Ronnie Kray's associate Lenny "The Guillotine" McLean in high-stakes bouts that drew crowds and solidified his self-proclaimed title as "the hardest man in Britain." In later years, Shaw invested his earnings from fighting and robberies into legitimate property ventures in , retiring from public violence while maintaining a through autobiographies and media appearances. He died on 14 July 2012 at age 76, survived by a son and daughter, leaving a legacy intertwined with the era's East End gang culture and the unlicensed fight scene.

Early life and criminal beginnings

Childhood and family

Roy Shaw was born on 11 March 1936 in , , into a working-class family in the shadow of the impending Second World War. Growing up in the impoverished post-war East End, Shaw faced significant hardships, including at due to his small stature, which contributed to his early development of aggressive responses to adversity. Tragedy struck when Shaw was 10 years old, as his father died, leaving the family in financial distress and prompting Shaw to leave school to work in a women's dress factory and later a timber yard in in a bid to support his household. This loss marked a turning point, igniting Shaw's violent tendencies; he began retaliating fiercely against his tormentors, engaging in his first street fights amid the rough environment of the East End. By his mid-teens, these experiences had fostered a deep-seated resentment toward authority, shaping his combative worldview in a neighborhood scarred by wartime destruction and economic struggle, as local gang figures like the began to emerge in the . Despite these challenges, Shaw channeled some of his aggression into , becoming a schoolboy champion by age 16 and winning his first title at the Royal Albert Hall, though family hardships continued to define his formative years. Seeking an escape from , he later enlisted in , but his early life in had already instilled the toughness that would characterize his future path.

Military service and early offenses

At age 17, Roy Shaw enlisted for , hoping to find discipline and purpose amid personal hardships including childhood and the loss of his father at age 10. However, his time in the military was marked by intense conflict with superiors; he assaulted staff sergeants, leading to imprisonment in military prison. Shaw's military career deteriorated further after a bar fight in resulted in his transfer to a , where he underwent (ECT) before receiving a dishonourable discharge. Following his release from the army, he turned to crime in London's East End, engaging in amid the area's burgeoning gang culture. His first significant conviction came for a violent of a , which introduced him to the system as a young offender. During this period, Shaw began associating with East End criminal elements, growing up in the same as notorious figures like the and maintaining a policy of non-interference in their protection rackets while pursuing his own robberies. These early encounters in the underworld laid the groundwork for his deeper involvement in , as he navigated a code of "honour among thieves" in a pre-drugs of gangland.

Imprisonment

Early sentences and borstals

Shaw's early involvement in crime during the late led to his sentencing to for and , including a violent of a . While incarcerated in , Shaw quickly adapted to the environment by engaging in fights to assert dominance over senior inmates known as "daddies," building a for unrelenting violence that defined his prison persona. His time in facilities such as involved repeated conflicts that honed his combative skills. One notable event during his borstal term was an escape attempt in which he assaulted a doctor and stole his car, resulting in recapture and an additional three-year sentence. By the early , Shaw had served several years across multiple short terms for theft and violent offenses, during which he was exposed to networks of that influenced his future activities.

1963 armed robbery and Broadmoor

In 1963, Roy Shaw was a member of a that carried out an armed robbery on a security van in , one of the largest such heists in at the time, netting approximately £87,000. The used firearms during the operation. Shaw was arrested just weeks after the robbery and sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment, beginning his term at Wandsworth Prison. While at , Shaw formed an association with , a participant in the Great Train Robbery, who later invited him to join an escape plan—though Shaw declined due to financial constraints. He also shared time there with Frank Mitchell, known as the "Mad Axeman," a notorious inmate later linked to the . Shaw's reputation for violence grew during this period, building on earlier experiences where he had established himself through prison fights. His outbursts escalated, including assaults on prison staff and fellow inmates, leading to transfers first to Parkhurst Prison and then to Grendon Underwood's psychiatric unit. In 1966, following continued violent incidents, Shaw was transferred to , a high-security facility for patients with severe s and criminal histories, where he was diagnosed with a . His time there, spanning about five years until around 1971, involved intense psychiatric interventions, including experimental (ECT) aimed at controlling his temper, as well as injections of sedating drugs. Shaw later described these treatments as harsh attempts to subdue his aggression, and he staged a notable rooftop protest, singing the song "Up on the Roof" in defiance. After his release from , Shaw returned to the prison system, including a stint at Parkhurst where, in 1972, he was involved in a deadly altercation during a football match between inmate teams. The game devolved into on the prison stairs, resulting in the death of opponent Bernard Brown; Shaw was charged with for allegedly him but was acquitted after key witnesses, suspected informants, recanted their statements in . Such incidents underscored Shaw's code against informers, whom he had stabbed in prior prison confrontations. He was granted in the mid-1970s, having served the bulk of his 18-year sentence plus additional time for disciplinary issues. Across all terms, including pre-1963 youth sentences, Shaw's total imprisonment exceeded 20 years.

Boxing career

Entry into unlicensed boxing

Following his parole release in the mid-1970s after serving nearly 18 years of a sentence for armed robbery, Roy Shaw sought to channel his propensity for violence into a legal pursuit while retiring from criminal activities, leading him to enter the world of as a means of structured combat. His time in high-security facilities like had informally honed his fighting abilities through numerous prison altercations, providing a foundation for his post-release endeavors. Shaw had prior limited experience in the ring, claiming around 10 professional bouts in the 1950s under the pseudonym "Roy West" while evading authorities after escaping , which gave him rudimentary knowledge before his long imprisonment. Upon re-entering the combat scene in the late , he competed in bare-knuckle and unlicensed bouts, billed as the "Mean Machine" to capitalize on his reputation for prison-forged brutality and unyielding aggression. These matches, often held in East End and venues, attracted substantial crowds—sometimes numbering in the thousands—driven by the spectacle of underground hardmen clashing, with Shaw earning significant purses, including side bets up to £10,000, as a primary financial . At 6 feet tall and around 14 stone, Shaw maintained a rigorous training regimen centered on —a habit developed during his incarceration—to build power for his raw, street-oriented fighting style that prioritized ferocious power over refined technique.

Key fights and rivalries

Shaw's most prominent rivalry unfolded in a trilogy of unlicensed matches against , another notorious East End hardman and nightclub doorman, beginning in 1977 and escalating into a bitter feud that captivated the underground scene. In the first bout in May 1977, Shaw secured a technical victory over after three rounds, though later alleged that his gloves had been tampered with to hinder his performance. The rematch in April 1978 at Cinatra's Nightclub in saw turn the tables, overwhelming Shaw with a barrage of punches that knocked him out of the ring, amid accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct including stomping. The third and final encounter in September 1978 at the Rainbow Theatre in ended in another decisive win for , who dominated with relentless strikes; Shaw attributed his defeat to an accidental overdose of ginseng supplements. This series not only highlighted their personal animosity but also fueled broader East End tensions, with clashes extending beyond the ring into doorman brawls and public threats that enhanced Shaw's cult status as a fearless enforcer. Another high-profile bout came in 1977 against , a former professional heavyweight contender who had challenged for a world title, in an unlicensed match that drew significant attention despite disputes over its legitimacy. Shaw claimed a third-round victory over the American, who entered the fight hampered by a pre-existing sustained in training, allowing Shaw to capitalize on Stander's reduced mobility and power. The win bolstered Shaw's reputation for taking on seasoned professionals in makeshift venues like warehouses, though critics noted the circumstances diminished its prestige. Shaw further solidified his "hardest man" moniker with a rapid victory over Donny "The Bull" Adams, a bare-knuckle fighter dubbed the "King of the Gypsies" for his traveler heritage and undefeated streak in over 40 contests. Their 1975 clash, initially a bare-knuckle affair halted by police intervention, resumed under gloved rules in a fairground setting, where Shaw delivered a savage first-round knockout, stomping Adams after dropping him to assert dominance. This under-30-second demolition, lasting mere moments, exemplified Shaw's brutal style against formidable rivals like Adams, often in illicit, high-stakes environments that blurred the lines between sport and street violence. Additional encounters with opponents such as Paddy "Mad Dog" Mullins in warehouse brawls reinforced these rivalries, where Shaw's aggressive close-quarters tactics prevailed, contributing to his enduring legend in unlicensed circles.

Unlicensed boxing record

Shaw's participation in unlicensed boxing occurred without oversight from any official , making comprehensive records unreliable and largely dependent on personal accounts, including those in his 1999 autobiography Pretty Boy co-authored with Kate Kray. According to Shaw, he engaged in an estimated 20 to 30 bouts during the late 1970s through the 1990s, claiming 18 victories, 12 of which ended by . These figures remain unverified beyond witness testimonies and contemporary reports, as unlicensed fights were often arranged informally through London's criminal networks. Key documented results from this period include Shaw's TKO victory over rival in 1977, followed by losses to in 1978 and 1978. He also secured a disputed win against American former professional boxer in an unlicensed bout, where Stander allegedly entered with a pre-existing rib injury that affected his performance. The rivalry, in particular, highlighted ongoing disputes, with McLean asserting more victories in their series than Shaw acknowledged. Shaw later claimed in his autobiography that they fought only twice, though contemporary reports indicate three bouts. Shaw retired from active fighting in the early , citing advancing age and accumulating injuries as primary factors, after which he transitioned into promoting unlicensed events.

Media and public image

Books and autobiography

Roy Shaw's primary autobiography, Pretty Boy, co-authored with Kate Kray and first published in 1996, chronicles his life from a troubled childhood in London's East End to his involvement in , , and unlicensed . The book presents Shaw's experiences through a lens of unapologetic toughness, portraying violence as an inherent and accepted aspect of his profession and cultural milieu. Themes of East End permeate the narrative, with Shaw emphasizing , resilience, and a amid systemic injustices like harsh conditions. In 2003, Shaw collaborated again with Kray on Roy Shaw Unleashed, a follow-up collection of anecdotes and stories drawn from his own accounts and those of associates. This work expands on criminal exploits, tales, and bare-knuckle rivalries, further mythologizing Shaw's persona as a formidable "hardman" while critiquing the system. Through these writings, Shaw positioned himself as a voice in true-crime literature, blending of his violent past with reflections on personal redemption and unresolved conflicts.

Documentaries and DVDs

Roy Shaw featured prominently in several documentaries and DVDs that explored his life as a bare-knuckle boxer, criminal, and larger-than-life figure in London's , often drawing from his personal experiences detailed in his . These productions, primarily produced in the , included interviews, training demonstrations, and archival fight footage, contributing to his enduring public image as a tough enforcer. In 2005, Shaw starred in the documentary DVD Roy Shaw: Brute Force, directed by Liam Galvin and produced by Gangster Videos. The film, running approximately 90 minutes, featured extensive interviews with Shaw at his home, where he recounted his armed robberies, prison escapes, violent encounters in , and bare-knuckle fights, including his rivalry with . Clips from the production, including discussions of sessions and doorman brawls, were later released online, highlighting Shaw's raw storytelling style. Two years later, in 2007, Galvin directed Roy Shaw Fight School, a 137-minute DVD that showcased Shaw demonstrating fighting techniques from bare-knuckle bouts to street brawls. The production included guest appearances by figures like , Joe Egan, and , who shared anecdotes about unlicensed boxing, interspersed with Shaw's instructional segments and commentary on his career highlights. Marketed as a no-holds-barred guide to and respect in tough environments, it emphasized Shaw's philosophy of direct confrontation. Shaw made cameo appearances in low-budget films during the late 2000s, leveraging his notoriety for authentic gangster roles. In Thugs, Mugs and Violence... (2009), directed by Liam Galvin, he portrayed a character named Roy, appearing alongside other real-life criminals in a gritty depiction of underworld violence. Similarly, in Galvin's (2010), Shaw had a brief role in the action-horror feature, which starred and involved a cast of hooligans and ex-cons, blending exploitation elements with Shaw's tough-guy persona. These cameos, often unscripted or semi-improvised, added credibility to the films' portrayals of criminal life. Posthumously, following Shaw's death in 2012, archival footage of him appeared in The Guv'nor (2016), a documentary directed by Paul Van Carter about his rival . The film used clips from Shaw's fights and interviews to illustrate their infamous trilogy of unlicensed bouts in the , framing Shaw as the antagonist in McLean's rise to "Guv'nor" status, and underscoring the mutual respect amid their brutal encounters. Several post-2000 DVDs re-released rare fight footage of Shaw with added commentary, enhancing his legacy in unlicensed boxing circles. For instance, the 2006 special edition of his autobiography Pretty Boy included an exclusive DVD with vintage clips of his matches against opponents like Donny Adams, accompanied by Shaw's voiceover reflections on tactics and outcomes. These releases, often tied to true-crime distributors, preserved grainy footage from events like the 1975 "Guv'nor" documentary, allowing fans to revisit Shaw's physical dominance and showmanship in the ring.

Press coverage and cultural references

During the and , Roy Shaw garnered significant tabloid attention in British newspapers such as The Sun and , where he was frequently portrayed as "Britain's hardest man" amid his unlicensed boxing exploits and East End reputation. His high-profile bare-knuckle bouts, including rivalries that captivated , contributed to this image, with coverage emphasizing his intimidating presence and undefeated persona in underground circles. In the post-1990 period, press interest persisted through articles revisiting Shaw's legendary status, prison history, and enduring rivalries, often framing him as an archetype of the aging hardman. Publications like The Sun and highlighted his connections to figures like the and his role in London's criminal lore, with features appearing in the 2000s and 2010s, such as a 2010 Mirror piece on a public event flyer featuring Shaw alongside . These stories, including 2017 collections of rare photographs, underscored his lasting notoriety without delving into new controversies. Shaw achieved minor celebrity status in the late , marked by public appearances tied to his fame, including a 1978 Tonight programme segment on his trilogy of fights that drew widespread media buzz. Archival from this era, later reprinted in tabloids, captured him in sharp suits and poised for combat, symbolizing the era's underworld glamour. In , Shaw's legacy extended to music, with indirect nods in UK tracks celebrating East End legends; notably, the 2011 song "The King of (aka The Ballad of Pretty Boy Shaw)" by punk band The Sharks directly honored his life, featuring lyrics like "Roy Shaw, you were second to none / Never needed a , just a ." His of the 1960s-1980s hardman influenced broader depictions of 's criminal underbelly in media, though specific inspirations remain anecdotal.

Later life

Post-release activities

Upon his release from in the mid-1970s, Roy Shaw transitioned into property investment, acquiring assets in using earnings from his unlicensed career. He settled in , where he built a portfolio of that contributed to his as a self-made . These investments marked a shift toward legitimate endeavors, allowing him to amass wealth away from his earlier criminal associations. In the and , Shaw remained involved in the unlicensed scene, promoting events and mentoring aspiring fighters through informal training sessions. He shared his expertise at gatherings and bouts, often appearing as a respected figure to guide younger participants in the East End's underground circuit. This role supplemented his property income, including modest earnings from media projects like his and instructional DVDs. Shaw maintained a low-profile family life, never marrying but raising a , Gary, and daughter, Chettina, along with grandchildren. He resided quietly in , distancing himself from public criminality while fostering close, private relationships with his children. By the 2000s, Shaw's health began to decline due to age-related issues, leading to periods in care homes. Despite this, he retained strong ties to the East End, attending local events and associating with longtime acquaintances into the early .

2009 land sale court case

In 2008, Roy Shaw became embroiled in a dispute over a fraudulent transfer of funds from his property investment in . A convicted female fraudster, who was 30 years his junior, had allegedly siphoned £643,000 from Shaw's account into her own, prompting him to sue for recovery of the money. The case arose from Shaw's involvement in legitimate property dealings post-release from , highlighting vulnerabilities in his later financial arrangements. The proceedings lasted two months, during which Shaw portrayed himself as an unsuspecting victim, describing himself as a "Mr Trusty" who had been "taken for a right mug" by the . The accepted Shaw's account, ruling in his favor and ordering the return of the full £643,000, thereby clearing him of any in the . This outcome preserved his nest egg but underscored the risks associated with his business partnerships in the property sector. The case garnered media coverage that revisited Shaw's reputation as an East End hardman, with reports emphasizing his determination in court despite his age of 72. Shaw testified to the legitimacy of his earnings from past investments, distancing himself from his earlier criminal history. Although he recovered the funds, the legal battle contributed to ongoing financial strains in his later years, exacerbating needs for care as his health declined.

Death

Roy Shaw died on 14 July 2012 at the age of 76 from while in a in . In the preceding 12 months, he had been in full-time care due to deteriorating health, including severe mobility issues and symptoms akin to that left him increasingly frail. Shaw's was a low-key private affair. His death sparked renewed fascination with Shaw's storied past, boosting sales and viewership of his autobiographies—such as Pretty Boy (1999)—and related documentaries. Obituaries in prominent outlets like The Guardian, which dubbed him the "hardest man in Britain," and The Telegraph, celebrated him as a bare-knuckle legend whose life embodied East End grit and defiance. There were no publicized disputes over his will, and his estate was settled discreetly, mirroring his evolution from notorious villain to enduring cultural icon of the British underworld.

References

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jul/30/roy-pretty-boy-shaw
  2. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/20933778/who-was-roy-shaw-how-did-he-die/
  3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/962612.stm
  4. https://books.google.com/books/about/Pretty_Boy.html?id=Xcc_fp4Urj4C
  5. https://www.abctales.com/blog/celticman/roy-shaw-2003-prettyboy
  6. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9597226/Roy-Pretty-Boy-Shaw.html
  7. https://enquirermedia.co.uk/2025/03/10/the-prison-football-match-that-turned-into-murder-the-deadly-game-of-roy-shaw/
  8. https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/20971519.east-ends-pretty-boy-knuckle-boxing-hard-man-roy-shaw-dies-76/
  9. https://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Boy-Roy-Shaw/dp/1857825519
  10. https://www.vice.com/en/article/lenny-mclean-vs-roy-shaw-battle-of-the-guvnors/
  11. https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/124158
  12. https://www.quora.com/Was-Roy-Shaw-a-legitimate-boxer-or-fighter
  13. https://www.ladbible.com/true-crime/roy-shaw-knocked-out-king-of-the-gypsies-411409-20230505
  14. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pretty-Boy-Roy-Shaw/dp/1857825519
  15. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/may/01/duncancampbell
  16. https://books.google.com/books/about/Roy_Shaw_Unleashed.html?id=4I1HtAEACAAJ
  17. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roy-Shaw-Unleashed-Kate-Kray/dp/184454088X
  18. https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/roy-shaw-unleashed_kate-kray/3047225/
  19. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2268634/
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1826836/
  21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIjTGxb8GXs
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1826837/
  23. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roy-Shaw-Fight-School-DVD/dp/B000P0JPD8
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5460986/
  25. https://www.abebooks.com/9781844542895/Pretty-Boy-DVD-Edition-Shaw-1844542890/plp
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqqZhtrzTP0
  27. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/never-before-seen-snaps-britains-11543513
  28. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/boxing/9345491/brutal-world-of-bare-knuckle-boxing/
  29. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/19256819/who-lenny-mclean-how-die/
  30. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/great-train-robber-ronnie-biggs-238994
  31. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4949079/britains-most-notorious-gangsters-pictures/
  32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMC432LAxYM
  33. https://www.reverbnation.com/sharksuk/song/11305184-the-king-of-london
  34. https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/man-sets-record-straight-living-2843493
  35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-oIsgBX-cc
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-6z9R5QhtI
  37. https://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=154488
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