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Patsy Kensit reveals pals were banned from visiting her childhood home due to regular police raids as she opens up about profound impact of her ‘villain’ father’s criminal career and association with gangsters the Krays

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Patsy Kensit has always been open about her late father James’ criminal career past.

In the 1960s, he associates himself with infamous London-based criminal figures such as the Krays and the Richardsons, accumulating a sum of nine convictions related to theft.

Yet, the actress, aged 57, has recently disclosed that his behavior significantly affected her during her childhood: “I wasn’t permitted to have playdates due to the constant threat of a police raid on our home. Still, one simply learned to cope with it.

Although they weren’t typical, they were still my family, and I cherished them deeply. My late father, may he rest in peace, was quite a scoundrel, yet I couldn’t help but admire him greatly.

In 1987, Patsy’s late father, James – also known as “Jimmy the Dip” due to his profession as a pickpocket – formed friendships with the Krays, having initially crossed paths at an East End boxing club during their teenage years.

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‘Growing up, my father was often in trouble with the law. He spent significant periods in prison throughout my childhood. At around ten years old, he was incarcerated for a while, but during that time, my mother, who assisted Her Majesty in investigations, would explain his absence to us. Despite his criminal background, he was still my father, and I adored him deeply.’

In the East End, the Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie, maintained a merciless reign marked by murder, armed robbery, arson, extortion, and beatings until their imprisonments in 1968. Ronnie passed away in 1995 at the age of 61, and five years later, Reggie died at the age of 66.

The woman with two children, who gained notoriety during tumultuous times as a young performer, previously asserted that Reggie Kray corresponded with her while in prison, and served as the godfather to her sibling, Jamie.

In a previous conversation with Michael Parkinson, she mentioned that her unique childhood stands out due to the stark contrast between her experiences and those of her two lovely sons.

At a relatively early stage in life, I found myself vying for jobs and encountering rejections, but looking back, I’m thankful for the experience as it has led me to where I am now. I can hardly fathom my sons going through the same ordeal.

Initially recognized at a tender age due to her appearances in Birds Eye frozen peas commercials, Patsy later made her mark by featuring in the 1974 film ‘The Great Gatsby’ alongside Mia Farrow, and in the 1976 film ‘The Blue Bird’, sharing the screen with Elizabeth Taylor.

2013 saw her reveal to The Mirror that her mother, Margaret (who passed away in 1993), shielded her and her brother James from their father’s questionable business activities.

‘My mom went to considerable lengths to conceal that part of their lives from us, suggesting her affection for Dad was profound, as she tolerated his wrongdoings.’

As a lifestyle guide, I can’t help but reflect on my own life journey that took unexpected twists and turns. My dad chose to go into hiding, which led us to escape to the vibrant city of Paris, then onto the tropical paradise of the Caribbean islands. Eventually, we found ourselves back in London where he was ultimately apprehended. These experiences have shaped my perspective on life and resilience in the face of adversity.

As a passionate admirer, I must confess, the sudden necessity to abandon our dwelling might have left an emotional imprint on a young soul. Yet, surprisingly, instead of causing trauma, this event ignited a sense of thrill within me.

It puzzled me that mom appeared so sorrowful throughout our trip. Now, naturally, I comprehend it was due to the fact that dad was hiding from something.

In her memoir, Absolute Beginner, she wrote that they seldom had full views of her father’s criminal dealings.

His companions often visited and entered the living room, which was where Dad would close the blinds. Jamie and I were usually asked to step out, yet we could still catch their whispered numbers counting from beyond the door.

She went on to say, “On occasion, I would join Father at business gatherings held in upscale hotels in the West End. These places were special to me since they often featured indoor pools. While Dad was conversing with his colleagues, I would take a refreshing dip.

In 2008, while appearing on BBC’s “Who Do You Think You Are,” Patsy uncovered additional details about her father’s history.

It was found that James had been apprehended for the first time at the age of 19, and subsequently faced charges for being classified as a ‘chronic miscreant’, which is a particular offense defined in the Vagrancy Act.

Patsy expressed: ‘My father brought me great joy, yet learning this fact makes me feel sad.’ In the program, she revealed: ‘The shocking discoveries kept me awake at night. I felt compelled to safeguard my father not because I agree with his actions, but because he’s my father and I cherish him.’

Despite being enlisted by Charlie Richardson for fraudulent activities, Patsy found comfort in the fact that her father hadn’t played a direct role in the infamous beatings they were known for.

Nevertheless, the military documents disclosed that another James, who was her grandparent, too had a long history of criminal charges against him.

In the First World War, a gunner was stripped of his medal following a court sentence that mandated three years in prison. This penalty resulted from him tarnishing the Army’s reputation through various transgressions. Among his nine convictions, dating back to 1915, were instances of robbery and utilizing fake currency.

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2025-06-07 15:12

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