This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35315472

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Hatton Garden jewellery heist: Three guilty over £14m burglary Hatton Garden jewellery heist: Three guilty over £14m burglary
(35 minutes later)
Three men have been found guilty of involvement in the "largest burglary in English legal history".Three men have been found guilty of involvement in the "largest burglary in English legal history".
Carl Wood, William Lincoln and Hugh Doyle were connected to the £14m Hatton Garden jewellery raid, a jury at Woolwich Crown Court decided.Carl Wood, William Lincoln and Hugh Doyle were connected to the £14m Hatton Garden jewellery raid, a jury at Woolwich Crown Court decided.
Jon Harbinson - Lincoln's nephew - was cleared of playing a part in the heist last Easter weekend. He has been set free after eight months in custody.Jon Harbinson - Lincoln's nephew - was cleared of playing a part in the heist last Easter weekend. He has been set free after eight months in custody.
Four other men previously admitted conspiracy to commit burglary.Four other men previously admitted conspiracy to commit burglary.
BBC Correspondent Ben Ando, who was in court, said as Mr Harbinson left the dock the other defendants shook his hand.BBC Correspondent Ben Ando, who was in court, said as Mr Harbinson left the dock the other defendants shook his hand.
During the raid the gang used heavy cutting equipment to get into a vault at the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Ltd and ransack 56 safe deposit boxes.During the raid the gang used heavy cutting equipment to get into a vault at the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Ltd and ransack 56 safe deposit boxes.
CCTV footage showed some of the gang members arriving in a white van and unloading tools, on 2 April.CCTV footage showed some of the gang members arriving in a white van and unloading tools, on 2 April.
However, they were unable to gain access to the vault after discovering it was blocked off by a metal cabinet.However, they were unable to gain access to the vault after discovering it was blocked off by a metal cabinet.
They returned with different equipment two nights later to finish the job.They returned with different equipment two nights later to finish the job.
Special reports into the Hatton Garden raid
Once inside, they used the lift shaft to access the basement, disabled the alarm and bored through the vault wall.Once inside, they used the lift shaft to access the basement, disabled the alarm and bored through the vault wall.
Defendants and verdicts
They were eventually seen emerging from the building with holdalls and wheelie bins laden with stolen goods.They were eventually seen emerging from the building with holdalls and wheelie bins laden with stolen goods.
Gold, diamonds and sapphires, together worth up to £14m, were taken. Two thirds of the valuables remain unrecovered.Gold, diamonds and sapphires, together worth up to £14m, were taken. Two thirds of the valuables remain unrecovered.
Det Supt Craig Turner from the Metropolitan Police said: "The weight of evidence was so strong that half the gang chose to plead guilty.
"It was an audacious, brazen burglary that was some three years in the planning."
Defendants and verdicts
The police are offering a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of another man, known as "Basil" who is still wanted in connection with the raid.
Reviewing lawyer Ed Hall from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "The four main ringleaders, a close-knit group of experienced criminals, some of whom had been involved in other high-value crimes, pleaded guilty after realising the strength of the case against them.Reviewing lawyer Ed Hall from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "The four main ringleaders, a close-knit group of experienced criminals, some of whom had been involved in other high-value crimes, pleaded guilty after realising the strength of the case against them.
"As a result of this trial, three other men who played significant roles, including the moving and concealing the stolen gold and jewels, have also been convicted.""As a result of this trial, three other men who played significant roles, including the moving and concealing the stolen gold and jewels, have also been convicted."
The court heard the men would meet to make plans at The Castle pub on Pentonville Road in Islington, and Scotti's, a nearby cafe.The court heard the men would meet to make plans at The Castle pub on Pentonville Road in Islington, and Scotti's, a nearby cafe.
During the trial it was revealed that Reader had been involved in the £26m Brinks Mat gold bullion robbery, and Perkins in the £6m Security Express raid. During the trial it was revealed that Reader had been involved in the £26m Brinks Mat gold bullion robbery, and Perkins in the £6m Security Express raid which both took place in 1983.
They were arrested after police bugged their cars and heard them bragging.They were arrested after police bugged their cars and heard them bragging.
Perkins was heard saying: "I'm going to melt my good gold down. The Indian, the 18, that could be my pension."Perkins was heard saying: "I'm going to melt my good gold down. The Indian, the 18, that could be my pension."
During the case, prosecutor Philip Evans told the jury: "These four ringleaders and organisers of this conspiracy, although senior in years, brought with them a great deal of experience in planning and executing sophisticated and serious acquisitive crime not dissimilar to this.During the case, prosecutor Philip Evans told the jury: "These four ringleaders and organisers of this conspiracy, although senior in years, brought with them a great deal of experience in planning and executing sophisticated and serious acquisitive crime not dissimilar to this.
"This offence was to be the largest burglary in English legal history.""This offence was to be the largest burglary in English legal history."
There was no forensic trace left at the vault by the gang, but police found a number of stolen goods during house searches as well as a copy of Forensics For Dummies at Jones's house and a book on the diamond underworld at Reader's home.There was no forensic trace left at the vault by the gang, but police found a number of stolen goods during house searches as well as a copy of Forensics For Dummies at Jones's house and a book on the diamond underworld at Reader's home.
Wood and Lincoln will be sentenced on 7 March, while legal discussions are due to take place later regarding the sentencing of Hugh Doyle.Wood and Lincoln will be sentenced on 7 March, while legal discussions are due to take place later regarding the sentencing of Hugh Doyle.
It can now be reported that Perkins' daughter, Terri Robinson, 35, of Sterling Road, Enfield, also faces being jailed. She pleaded guilty to concealing, converting or transferring criminal property.It can now be reported that Perkins' daughter, Terri Robinson, 35, of Sterling Road, Enfield, also faces being jailed. She pleaded guilty to concealing, converting or transferring criminal property.
Her brother-in-law, Brenn Walters, 43, who is also known as Ben Perkins, admitted the same offence.Her brother-in-law, Brenn Walters, 43, who is also known as Ben Perkins, admitted the same offence.
Another man, known only as "Basil", who let his co-conspirators into the Hatton Garden building by opening the fire escape from inside is yet to be identified.Another man, known only as "Basil", who let his co-conspirators into the Hatton Garden building by opening the fire escape from inside is yet to be identified.