The Kray brothers, infamous for their reign of terror across East London, continue to cast a shadow even after their deaths.
Their brutal criminal empire, built on murder, robbery, and fear, left many broken lives in its wake.
Yet today, some still idolize them, as shown by disturbing photos of fans visiting their graves.
But for those who lived through the horror, the truth about the Krays is far more chilling than any legend.
Fans Flock to the Krays’ Graves, Ignoring the Horrors They Left Behind
It’s hard to believe, but people still make pilgrimages to the graves of Ronnie and Reggie Kray in Chingford Mount Cemetery.
They leave flowers, take pictures, and even post on social media about their visits, as if these violent criminals were heroes.
For some, this is a chance to connect with the infamous duo whose legacy of fear still lingers.
But for others, like Bobby Teale, who once was part of their gang, this idolization is nothing short of sickening.
Bobby, who was raped by Ronnie Kray during his time in the gang, recalls the horrors of the brothers’ violence, and it disgusts him to see their supporters celebrating their lives. “They were terrible people.
No one should be idolizing them,” Bobby says. “These people haven’t got a clue about what they really did. They were bullies, psychopaths, and criminals who destroyed lives.”
The True Cost of the Krays’ Reign of Terror
The Krays’ rule over East London wasn’t just about crime; it was about instilling fear.
They terrorized families, beat up children, and used violence to maintain their grip on power.
Bobby Teale, who spent years under their thumb, remembers the fear of seeing children being assaulted and hearing threats aimed at his young brother.
“Ronnie would threaten my 11-year-old brother with rape. It was pure evil,” Bobby recalls.
Despite the horrors, Bobby was forced to play along, pretending to be loyal to survive.
He even became close to Reggie, but only as a tactic to gain the trust of the brothers while secretly plotting their downfall. “I didn’t do it to be a hero.
I did it because I knew I was going to die anyway,” Bobby admits. “I thought, ‘I’m going to save my family, even if it costs me my life.'”
The Heroic Few Who Stood Up to the Krays
Bobby’s courage to stand up to the Krays had consequences.
After tipping off the police about their involvement in the murder of George Cornell, Bobby became a target.
But his family—his brothers David and Alfie—also took a stand, looking the Krays in the eye in court and calling them out for their crimes.
Alfie, now 85, recalls the terror he and his family endured at the hands of the Krays. “When we met them, they took over our business.
They were just thugs. They ruined our lives,” Alfie says. “But we stood up to them. We faced them in court, and we didn’t back down.
It was the hardest thing we ever did, but we did it.”
The Harmful Legacy of Idolizing Criminals
The Krays’ influence on the East End is undeniable, and some still see them as figures of power and masculinity.
Today, their followers compare their idolization to the way certain young men now look up to controversial figures like Andrew Tate.
According to Laurence Johns of The Mankind Project UK, many young men are drawn to figures like the Krays because they represent power and dominance, traits that feel alluring in a world that often feels disempowering.
However, Laurence stresses that this admiration comes from a deeper societal issue.
“It’s not a crisis in masculinity—it’s a crisis in society,” he explains.
“Young people, both men and women, are feeling lost and scared about their futures.
When they see figures like the Krays, they feel a false sense of identity and power. But it’s all an illusion, and it’s dangerous.”
Moving Forward: Reclaiming the Truth and Setting the Record Straight
As the Krays’ legacy continues to be romanticized by some, the real story of their cruelty and violence remains hidden in the shadows.
David and Bobby Teale, along with others who suffered at the Krays’ hands, are determined to ensure that the truth is known.
They want people to understand that the Krays were not heroes or martyrs but violent criminals who destroyed lives.
David, now 82, reflects on his experience: “We were victims, and we’ve paid the price.
But we didn’t let them win. We stood up and told the truth, and that’s something I’m proud of.
The Krays were nothing but psychopaths, and it’s time that everyone knows it.”
Through their new book Legacy of Menace: Life in the Shadows of the Krays, David, Bobby, and Alfie hope to bring the truth to light and offer a more honest view of the brothers’ dark legacy.
“History needs to be put right,” David says. “The Krays were never martyrs. They were killers, bullies, and criminals.”
The Ongoing Fight for Justice and Understanding
While the Krays may have been icons of fear in their time, their story is one of abuse, manipulation, and violence.
Those who lived through their terror continue to fight for justice, not just for themselves but for the generations who might otherwise glorify their criminal empire.
As mental health charities and experts warn, idolizing figures like the Krays can perpetuate harmful ideas about masculinity and power.
It’s time for society to recognize the true cost of the Krays’ reign and stop glorifying their criminal legacy.