Twins' ex-jailmate resorts to crime to clear his name

John Searl, 74, befriended the infamous East End gangsters when he was jailed for a string of robberies in the late 1950s.

But the pensioner, who now lives in sheltered accommodation for the elderly, resorted to crime after hearing false rumours that he had served an eight-year sentence for child sex offences.

Sheffield magistrates heard he deliberately smashed two windows in a house in the Hillsborough area of the city, so he would be charged and his criminal record could be read out in open court.

The court was told that Searl, a widower, met the Kray twins when he served time on the same wing as them in high security Parkhurst jail in the 1960s.

The trio became friends and Searl weight trained with Reggie Kray and witnessed another inmate pour boiling water on Ronnie Kray.

The brothers are said to have given Searl the nickname "Iceman" for being cool under pressure.

Karen Moxonsmith, defending, told magistrates that Searl smashed the windows at the house of Graham Knapp on September 20 in response to the rumours of a conviction for sex offences.

His aim was for the matter to come to court so he could show for the record that he had no such convictions.

She told district judge Tony Brown: "He has a heavy record and has served time in prison but there is nothing relating to sex offences. He was so upset by the allegations he thought this was the best way to clear his name."

Searl told the court: "Spreading rumours like this is the worst crime in the world – people think there's no smoke without fire.

"I asked the police to inform my accusers of my record, but they wouldn't even reveal it to me. This was the only way for it to be made public to confirm I'm no paedophile."

Judge Brown handed Searl a conditional discharge and ordered him to pay Mr Knapp 394 compensation and 85 costs. He added: "Whatever your differences I don't want any repetition."

After the hearing Searl, who moved to Sheffield 10 years ago, said: "Reggie was a smashing guy, he organised a lot for charity. We had meals together and had a laugh and a joke.

"Real gangsters are very quiet, they were gentlemen."