John Bindon was a notorious patron of the Bricklayers Arms in Waterman Street Putney, where he held court whenever he appeared. He was a celebrity for all those that felt a thrill of excitement when he entered “The Brick” (the name we locals used), but others of us often quietly left because Bindon’s sudden unpredictable violence was very well known. His reputation for sometimes light heartedly showing off his “manhood” in the bar was renowned.In 1978, John Bindon, in the company of a number of other men, became involved in a fight with John Darke, another London criminal also with a group of men, at the Ranelagh Yacht Club, in Fulham (for many at the time, it was used as an after-hours drinking club and not for sailing). Darke, dying from the many stab wounds that he’d received, prompted Bindon to flee to Dublin with his own knife wounds covered up. He gave himself up to police, and in the subsequent trial at the Old Bailey in October 1979, the prosecution claimed that this was a £10,000 contract killing over drugs, with the fight as a cover for the death. However, the defence argued that Darke's death was in self-defence, saying Bindon was in fear of his life as he was being blackmailed about losing drug money and cocaine worth thousands of pounds. Bindon was acquitted of Darke's murder in November 1979.In the 1960s, a friend of mine Basil Kew, a retired professional heavyweight boxer living in Putney, was the doorman at a club in Shepherds Bush, who one night was approached by two men, allegedly on behalf of Johnny Bindon, who lived in nearby Fulham, offering, for a regular payment that Johnny would “protect” the club from undesirables. Since the owner of the club was absent the men agreed to return. Not knowing what to do, the owner agreed that George contacted an old friend of his, another retired, but street wise, professional boxer, Dick Richardson, for advice. Dick suggested that if the men returned, which they did, they be told that their services weren’t required since the club was being looked after by the infamous Kray Brothers, even though it wasn’t. Whether John Bindon was involved will never be known, but the ruse worked and the men never retuned! Jim, Melbourne, Australia.
James Slade ● 3200d