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Johnny Darke & John Bindon

Johnny Dark, a volatile South London gangster, was fatally stabbed in 1978, allegedly by actor and criminal John Bindon. The case, steeped in rumors of betrayal and revenge, highlights the violent and unpredictable world of London’s criminal underworld.

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Victim: Johnny Dark, gang leader in his late 30s.

 

Perpetrator: John Bindon, 35 years old, actor and enforcer.

 

Location of Event: Ranaley Yacht Club, Fulham, London.

 

Date of Event: November 1978.

​Key facts: 

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  • Raised in post-war South London, Johnny Darke became notorious for his violent and unpredictable behaviour.

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  • Leader of the Wild Bunch, a gang feared for its impulsive brutality and dominance over Brixton’s pub protection racket.

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  • Dark's erratic nature and rumoured police informant status put him at odds with rival gangs, making him a marked man.

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  • A criminal enforcer-turned-actor, Bindon navigated both the London underworld and celebrity circles, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Princess Margaret, Mick Jagger, and Led Zeppelin.

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  • Bindon’s acting career flourished, but he remained deeply involved in extortion and violence behind the scenes.

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  • On a fateful night in November 1978, Johnny Darke was stabbed nine times at a Fulham club, allegedly during a brawl with John Bindon.

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  • Bindon claimed self-defense, stating that Darke attacked first, and a mysterious machete-wielding man delivered the fatal blow.

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  • The prosecution suggested it was a contract killing, but no solid proof emerged.

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  • Bindon’s trial at the Old Bailey became a media circus, with celebrity appearances from Bob Hoskins and Mick Jagger.

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  • Bindon’s charm and performance on the stand, along with key character witnesses, helped sway the jury, leading to his acquittal on all charges.

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  • Despite his acquittal, Bindon’s life spiralled downward after the trial, marked by bankruptcy, declining health, and estrangement from his former celebrity circles.

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  • Bindon died in 1993, with rumours surrounding his cause of death and connections to the state funeral.

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