GANGSTER Dave Courtney has called on vigilantes not to avenge the murder of his cagefighter stepson.

The appeal comes as police fearing bloodbath reprisals prepare to quiz the hardman as a suspect.

The underworld legend told the Daily Star Sunday that loyal mobsters from around Britain had offered to hunt down and kill the hoods who blasted Genson Courtney, 23, to death.

The muscle-bound lad was talking on the phone in his VW Golf outside his girlfriend’s house when he was shot in Greenwich, south-east London.

Courtney, 52, is torn between avenging the murder to “save face” in the underworld and letting justice run its course.

But last night he said: “I’m appealing to everyone to keep their calm and let the police do their job. I want the people who are calling for revenge to slow down and calm down.

“It doesn’t need any vigilantes going out there, trying to mend this, revenge it, as I have every faith in the police that they will catch the geezer.

“That’s an appeal to my associates and to those in Genson’s circle.”

Police are still hunting the killer but fear gangs will seek retribution.

Gangsters close to Courtney have already pledged their support in visits to the home he calls “Camelot” in Plumstead, south London.

One told the Daily Star Sunday: “He’s been offered assistance from some very heavy duty people to sort this problem out.

“But he doesn’t want to be in a position where he’s forced to take justice into his own hands.

“Dave is praying the police catch the person who killed his son before someone brings the perpetrators to him.

“He is a hardman but in this case he just wants the violence to stop and for justice to take its course.”

The killing outside the house of Genson’s girlfriend Ginny, 24, last Sunday was a suspected revenge hit over a drugs feud. 

And it has “ripped the family apart”.

London’s crack black-on-black gun crime squad Trident has launched a manhunt.

But so have gangland big hitters close to Courtney. 

The bullet-headed bruiser told a pal: “If you would have asked me yesterday what I would do if someone shot my kid, I would have said that I would be driving around with a car-load of men looking for the person who shot him.

“But now it’s happened I don’t want to carry on the cycle of violence vibe.” Pals who visited Courtney at his home last week included the “King of Marbella”, John Disley, from Lancashire, reportedly worth around £500million.

He said: “I’m letting Dave know that I’m here. It’s not a good situation.”

And a notorious armed robber from the South Coast said: “I’m here to give Dave a message that if he wants help he’s got it. We’re here to protect Dave.”

Gangsters from Sheffield, Cardiff and Liverpool offered assistance.

Cagefighting champion Mark Epstein and boxer Julius Francis also paid their respects.

We can also reveal that Courtney is a suspect in the murder and will be officially quizzed by Trident cops during the investigation.

Detectives learned Courtney and Genson had a “straightener” punch-up in a park after a family row.

Underworld sources said a drugs dispute was behind the murder which could spark a gang war in the area. They claimed Genson was taxing rivals and had built a list of enemies.

Last night the victim’s mother Jenny Courtney, 42, admitted Genson had started flying into rages after taking steroids.

Jenny wept as she said: “My son’s gone. I loved him so much. I’m devastated. Absolutely. I think he was taking steroids because his personality changed.

“He was raging around, always angry. It wasn’t normal. I don’t know what was behind the shooting but it was probably drugs.

“He’d been in a few arguments recently with a number of people and only a few days ago I was warned that this might happen.”

Genson had two younger sisters Courtney Courtney, 13, and Davena, 22. Fighting back tears, Davena said: “He’d just left home on Sunday night and went round to his girlfriend’s.

“I last saw him about 9.30. The last words I said to him were ‘Be careful’ like I always do.

“He said ‘I love you sis’. He was very, very protective over us. He lived for us. He’d always joked around.

“I keep expecting him to get up and say, ‘I’m only joking. I’m OK. I’m not hurt’.”

Younger sister Courtney said: “I loved him. I always used to say that if I had a last phone call it would be to my brother.

“He had his own problems but he wouldn’t be angry with me. I need him. I love him so much.

“I never thought gangs were good and this is proof of it.”

GANGSTER Dave Courtney has called on vigilantes not to avenge the murder of his cagefighter stepson.

The appeal comes as police fearing bloodbath reprisals prepare to quiz the hardman as a suspect.

The underworld legend told the Daily Star Sunday that loyal mobsters from around Britain had offered to hunt down and kill the hoods who blasted Genson Courtney, 23, to death.

The muscle-bound lad was talking on the phone in his VW Golf outside his girlfriend’s house when he was shot in Greenwich, south-east London.

Courtney, 52, is torn between avenging the murder to “save face” in the underworld and letting justice run its course.

But last night he said: “I’m appealing to everyone to keep their calm and let the police do their job. I want the people who are calling for revenge to slow down and calm down.

“It doesn’t need any vigilantes going out there, trying to mend this, revenge it, as I have every faith in the police that they will catch the geezer.

“That’s an appeal to my associates and to those in Genson’s circle.”

Police are still hunting the killer but fear gangs will seek retribution.

Gangsters close to Courtney have already pledged their support in visits to the home he calls “Camelot” in Plumstead, south London.

One told the Daily Star Sunday: “He’s been offered assistance from some very heavy duty people to sort this problem out.

“But he doesn’t want to be in a position where he’s forced to take justice into his own hands.

“Dave is praying the police catch the person who killed his son before someone brings the perpetrators to him.

“He is a hardman but in this case he just wants the violence to stop and for justice to take its course.”

The killing outside the house of Genson’s girlfriend Ginny, 24, last Sunday was a suspected revenge hit over a drugs feud. 

And it has “ripped the family apart”.

London’s crack black-on-black gun crime squad Trident has launched a manhunt.

But so have gangland big hitters close to Courtney. 

The bullet-headed bruiser told a pal: “If you would have asked me yesterday what I would do if someone shot my kid, I would have said that I would be driving around with a car-load of men looking for the person who shot him.

“But now it’s happened I don’t want to carry on the cycle of violence vibe.” Pals who visited Courtney at his home last week included the “King of Marbella”, John Disley, from Lancashire, reportedly worth around £500million.

He said: “I’m letting Dave know that I’m here. It’s not a good situation.”

And a notorious armed robber from the South Coast said: “I’m here to give Dave a message that if he wants help he’s got it. We’re here to protect Dave.”

Gangsters from Sheffield, Cardiff and Liverpool offered assistance.

Cagefighting champion Mark Epstein and boxer Julius Francis also paid their respects.

We can also reveal that Courtney is a suspect in the murder and will be officially quizzed by Trident cops during the investigation.

Detectives learned Courtney and Genson had a “straightener” punch-up in a park after a family row.

Underworld sources said a drugs dispute was behind the murder which could spark a gang war in the area. They claimed Genson was taxing rivals and had built a list of enemies.

Last night the victim’s mother Jenny Courtney, 42, admitted Genson had started flying into rages after taking steroids.

Jenny wept as she said: “My son’s gone. I loved him so much. I’m devastated. Absolutely. I think he was taking steroids because his personality changed.

“He was raging around, always angry. It wasn’t normal. I don’t know what was behind the shooting but it was probably drugs.

“He’d been in a few arguments recently with a number of people and only a few days ago I was warned that this might happen.”

Genson had two younger sisters Courtney Courtney, 13, and Davena, 22. Fighting back tears, Davena said: “He’d just left home on Sunday night and went round to his girlfriend’s.

“I last saw him about 9.30. The last words I said to him were ‘Be careful’ like I always do.

“He said ‘I love you sis’. He was very, very protective over us. He lived for us. He’d always joked around.

“I keep expecting him to get up and say, ‘I’m only joking. I’m OK. I’m not hurt’.”

Younger sister Courtney said: “I loved him. I always used to say that if I had a last phone call it would be to my brother.

“He had his own problems but he wouldn’t be angry with me. I need him. I love him so much.

“I never thought gangs were good and this is proof of it.”

You Might Also Like :