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Hatton Garden raid 'largest in English history' Hatton Garden raid 'largest in English history'
(about 2 hours later)
The Hatton Garden jewel raid was the "largest burglary in English legal history", a court has been told.The Hatton Garden jewel raid was the "largest burglary in English legal history", a court has been told.
Items estimated at £14m were taken in April, Woolwich Crown Court heard. The haul included platinum ingots.Items estimated at £14m were taken in April, Woolwich Crown Court heard. The haul included platinum ingots.
Carl Wood, 58, William Lincoln, 60, and 42-year-old John Harbinson deny conspiracy to commit burglary.Carl Wood, 58, William Lincoln, 60, and 42-year-old John Harbinson deny conspiracy to commit burglary.
Hugh Doyle, 48, is charged with one count of conspiracy to conceal, convert or transfer criminal property between 1 January and 19 May this year.Hugh Doyle, 48, is charged with one count of conspiracy to conceal, convert or transfer criminal property between 1 January and 19 May this year.
The raid took place over the Easter weekend at Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company in London's jewellery quarter. The raid was planned during Friday night meetings at a pub and took place over the Easter weekend at Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company in London's jewellery quarter, the court heard.
Prosecutor Philip Evans told the court "this offence was to be the largest burglary in English legal history". He added that "at best" about one third of the property had been recovered. Burglars bored through concrete to get into the vault, before ransacking safety deposit boxes used by traders of jewellery, precious stones and precious metals.
Prosecutor Philip Evans told jurors "this offence was to be the largest burglary in English legal history".
He said "at best" about one third of the property had been recovered and that was mostly lower value goods.
Defendants and chargesDefendants and charges
Burglars breached 73 boxes, of which 44 were being used. The thieves used a drill to bore a hole 20in (51cm) deep, 10in (25cm) high and 18in (46cm) wide through the wall.
The court heard the 44 boxes were rented by 40 victims and that all of the owners traded mainly in jewellery, loose precious stones and precious metals. The jury was shown 3D images that revealed the damage the burglars caused.
Items taken included gold and platinum ingots, chains and rings. They included broken doors and gates, and the shutter to the basement lift access which had been prised open.
"What has become apparent from this process is that the items which have been recovered are in the main the lower value items that were stolen," Mr Evans said. The burglary spanned the weekend, with the raiders returning on 4 April with more equipment, after they were only partially successful on 2 April, jurors heard.
The jury was shown 3D images of Hatton Garden Safe Deposit that revealed the damage the burglars caused which included broken doors and gates. They were told much of the evidence had come from mobile and landline telephones data, and that the burglars had left no "forensic trace".
They were also told much of the evidence had come from mobile and landline telephones data, and that the burglars had left no "forensic trace". Mr Evans said the burglary was arranged during Friday night meetings at The Castle pub on Pentonville Road in Islington, north London.
He said the burglary was arranged during Friday night meetings at The Castle pub on Pentonville Road in Islington. Previously John Collins, 75, of Bletsoe Walk, Islington; Daniel Jones, 58, of Park Avenue, Enfield; Terry Perkins, 67, of Heene Road, Enfield and Brian Reader, 76, of Dartford Road, Dartford, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary.
Previously John Collins, 75, of Bletsoe Walk, Islington; Daniel Jones, 58, of Park Avenue, Enfield; Terry Perkins, 67, of Heene Road, Enfield and Brian Reader, 76, of Dartford Road, Dartford, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary. They will be sentenced at a later date. They will be sentenced at a later date.
Reader was described as the "Governor" or the "Master", and had been heavily involved in the planning of the raid, the court heard.
A book called "Forensics For Dummies" was found at Jones's house.
Mr Evans said those ringleaders had "a great deal of experience" in planning and executing sophisticated crime.
He said they would only have involved others who could be "fully trusted".
The trial continues.The trial continues.