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Man admits part in Securitas raid | Man admits part in Securitas raid |
(10 minutes later) | |
A former cage-fighter has admitted his part in the £53m raid on a Securitas depot in Kent, ahead of a retrial. | A former cage-fighter has admitted his part in the £53m raid on a Securitas depot in Kent, ahead of a retrial. |
Paul Allen, 31, of Chatham, Kent, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to possess a firearm. | Paul Allen, 31, of Chatham, Kent, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to possess a firearm. |
He admitted the charges at Woolwich Crown Court on the basis that he did not enter the depot or kidnap Securitas manager Colin Dixon and his family. | He admitted the charges at Woolwich Crown Court on the basis that he did not enter the depot or kidnap Securitas manager Colin Dixon and his family. |
He also said he did not handle or obtain any firearms. | He also said he did not handle or obtain any firearms. |
Allen's plea was also accepted on the basis that he was working for his best friend and fellow cage-fighter Lee Murray and "did his bidding" in the planning of the Tonbridge robbery. | Allen's plea was also accepted on the basis that he was working for his best friend and fellow cage-fighter Lee Murray and "did his bidding" in the planning of the Tonbridge robbery. |
Outside court, Roger Coe-Salazar, chief crown prosecutor for Kent, said: "The Securitas robbery was meticulously organised and we have never had any doubts that Paul Allen played a pivotal role in the planning and execution of it." | Outside court, Roger Coe-Salazar, chief crown prosecutor for Kent, said: "The Securitas robbery was meticulously organised and we have never had any doubts that Paul Allen played a pivotal role in the planning and execution of it." |
Allen, who is due to be sentenced next Monday, also said his only benefit from the crime was property in Morocco. | Allen, who is due to be sentenced next Monday, also said his only benefit from the crime was property in Morocco. |
The court heard the pair fled to Morocco in February 2006 after the raid - Britain's biggest cash robbery. | The court heard the pair fled to Morocco in February 2006 after the raid - Britain's biggest cash robbery. |
Roger Coe-Salazar of the CPS: "We intend to track down the remaining millions" | Roger Coe-Salazar of the CPS: "We intend to track down the remaining millions" |
Allen went on trial after being arrested and extradited to the UK. | Allen went on trial after being arrested and extradited to the UK. |
Jurors were told the robbery was masterminded by Lee Murray who is still in Morocco. | Jurors were told the robbery was masterminded by Lee Murray who is still in Morocco. |
On Monday, Kent Police said he had been interviewed by Moroccan police and legal proceedings were moving through the Moroccan judicial system. | On Monday, Kent Police said he had been interviewed by Moroccan police and legal proceedings were moving through the Moroccan judicial system. |
Police have found £21m of the stolen cash haul. | Police have found £21m of the stolen cash haul. |
Mr Coe-Salzar said: "This is not the end of the story. | Mr Coe-Salzar said: "This is not the end of the story. |
"Working with Kent Police, we intend to track down the remaining millions and bring any outstanding offenders to justice. | "Working with Kent Police, we intend to track down the remaining millions and bring any outstanding offenders to justice. |
"We are currently working in close cooperation with the Moroccan authorities in their judicial inquiry into Lee Murray." | "We are currently working in close cooperation with the Moroccan authorities in their judicial inquiry into Lee Murray." |
Allen had been due to face a retrial at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, after an Old Bailey jury failed to reach a verdict in January and was discharged. | Allen had been due to face a retrial at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, after an Old Bailey jury failed to reach a verdict in January and was discharged. |
The robbery took place at a Securitas depot in Kent in 2006 | The robbery took place at a Securitas depot in Kent in 2006 |
In his first trial, prosecutor Sir John Nutting QC said the robbers planned and executed the raid with "military precision". | In his first trial, prosecutor Sir John Nutting QC said the robbers planned and executed the raid with "military precision". |
Depot manager Colin Dixon and family were kidnapped at gunpoint by men posing as police officers to allow the gang to gain entry. | Depot manager Colin Dixon and family were kidnapped at gunpoint by men posing as police officers to allow the gang to gain entry. |
Fourteen staff members were also tied up at gunpoint as robbers loaded cash into a lorry during the raid. | Fourteen staff members were also tied up at gunpoint as robbers loaded cash into a lorry during the raid. |
During a trial which saw five people jailed in January 2008 for their parts in the crime, the Old Bailey heard that the terrified family and workers had suffered long-term and life-changing effects after being confronted by the armed men. | During a trial which saw five people jailed in January 2008 for their parts in the crime, the Old Bailey heard that the terrified family and workers had suffered long-term and life-changing effects after being confronted by the armed men. |
Judge Mr Justice Penry-Davey said the Dixon family had lost their home, work, and friends, and had been made to start their lives again. | Judge Mr Justice Penry-Davey said the Dixon family had lost their home, work, and friends, and had been made to start their lives again. |