Dennis Allen (criminal)

Dennis Allen

Dennis Allen
Born 7 November 1951
Died 13 April 1987
Other names Mr. Death, Mr. D
Parent(s) Kath Pettingill
Conviction(s) Rape

Dennis Allen (1951–1987) was a Melbourne based drug dealer who was reported to have murdered many victims. He was the oldest son of criminal matriarch Kath Pettingill. He died of heart disease in 1987 in prison custody awaiting trial for murder.[1]

Allen, nicknamed Mr. Death or Mr. D,[2] was believed to have been involved in up to 13[3] underworld murders, including the dismembering of a Hells Angels biker with a chainsaw.[4] One victim who survived was guitarist Chris Stockley of The Dingoes, whom Allen shot in the stomach while attempting to gatecrash a party.[5] Allen received a ten-year prison sentence for rape during the 1970s. It is also reported that he was a major drug dealer in the Richmond and South Yarra areas of Melbourne during the 1980s.[2][4] New South Wales Police Detective-Sergeant Roger Rogerson was convicted of supplying heroin in a deal with Allen, but was acquitted following appeal.[6]

Allen died on 13 April 1987 of heart failure at St. Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne; "pieces of his heart actually broke off after decades of heavy drug abuse".[4] His funeral was conducted by Father Peter Norden, a Jesuit priest who performed funerals for three members of the Pettingill family during the 1980s.[7]

References

  1. ↑ 3 May 2002 Brace for more gangland shootings, police warn The Age
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Shand, Adam (2004-02-24). "Cast of characters; The main Melbourne crime factions and their most prominent members". The Bulletin 122 (8).
  3. ↑ Note that Tedmanson reports that Allen is suspected of up to 13 murders, while Shand reports 15.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Tedmanson, Sophie (13 May 2006). "Granny Evil to hit big screen". The Australian (News Ltd). p. 8.
  5. ↑ McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'The Dingoes'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  6. ↑ "NSW: Rogerson may have to reinvent himself again". Australian Associated Press General News (Australian Associated Press Pty Ltd). 2005-02-18.
  7. ↑ Stewart, Cameron (2006-04-08). "Godfella". The Australian Magazine (News Ltd).