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Hatton Garden raid 'largest in English history' Hatton Garden raid 'largest in English history'
(35 minutes 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.
Jewells and precious metals estimated at £14m were taken when raiders bored through a wall into a vault. Jewels 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.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.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. Jurors were shown CCTV footage of men arriving in a white van, and from it unloading various tools, bags, metal joists and wheelie bins.
They heard that while at Hatton Garden, the men used walkie-talkies to communicate, and their mobile phones were in "radio silence".
Once inside, the men used the lift shaft to access the basement, disabled the alarm and drilled into the vault wall.
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 chargesDefendants 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.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.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. 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.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 telephone 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. Mr Evans said they were the ringleaders and had "a great deal of experience" in planning and executing sophisticated crimes.
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.