A prison officer who once guarded East End gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray has received a long service medal.

Stan Rodwell with his medal

Stan Rodwell, 59, was presented with the Imperial Service Medal at Chelmsford prison by prison governor Paul Haley.

Mr Rodwell joined the staff at the Springfield Road prison in 1988 as principal officer, where he "made sure things ran smoothly". He retired a year ago last Friday. The medal recognises Mr Rodwell's 33-year career with the prison service.

In 1967, as a young prison guard, Mr Rodwell was assigned to keep an eye on the notorious Kray twins when they appeared at Bow Street Magistrates' Court, London, where they were remanded following the murder of Jack 'The Hat' McVitie.

He remembers the twins getting 200 Rothmans cigarettes delivered each day while he had to be content with a solitary Woodbine to last him until payday.

And while working at Chelmsford, he recalls Arsenal defender Tony Adams joining his wing after being convicted for drink-driving.

Mr Rodwell said: "Tony was no problem. He liked to work in the gym."

He even had to ask George Best his name when the legendary footballer spent some time at Pentonville prison.

Mr Rodwell said: "It was prison procedure but I felt a right plonker having to ask the most famous footballer in the world what his name was."

Published Monday, March 18, 2002