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Hatton Garden raid 'largest in English history' | Hatton Garden raid 'largest in English history' |
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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. |
Jewells and precious metals estimated at £14m were taken when raiders bored through a wall into a vault. | |
The raid was planned on Friday nights at a pub and took place over the Easter weekend, in London's jewellery quarter, Woolwich Crown Court heard. | |
Three men deny conspiracy to commit burglary. A fourth denies conspiracy to conceal or transfer criminal property. | |
Once inside the vault, raiders ransacked 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". | 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. | He said "at best" about one third of the property had been recovered and that was mostly lower value goods. |
Defendants and charges | Defendants and charges |
The thieves bored a hole 20in (51cm) deep, 10in (25cm) high and 18in (46cm) wide through a wall at Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company. | |
There was evidence the search for suitable equipment might have started four years ago. | |
The jury was shown 3D images that revealed other damage the burglars caused. | |
That included broken doors and gates, and the shutter to the basement lift access which had been prised open. | |
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 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. |
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 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. | Mr Evans said the burglary was arranged during Friday night meetings at The Castle pub on Pentonville Road in Islington, north London. |
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. | 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. | A book called "Forensics For Dummies" was found at Jones's house. |
Mr Evans said they were the ringleaders and 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". | He said they would only have involved others who could be "fully trusted". |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |