This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/kent/8290206.stm
The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Next version
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Cage-fighter jailed for £53m raid | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A former cage-fighter has been jailed for 18 years for his part in carrying out Britain's biggest cash raid. | A former cage-fighter has been jailed for 18 years for his part in carrying out Britain's biggest cash raid. |
Paul Allen, 31, admitted conspiracy to kidnap, rob and possess a firearm at Woolwich Crown Court last week. | Paul Allen, 31, admitted conspiracy to kidnap, rob and possess a firearm at Woolwich Crown Court last week. |
Allen, from Chatham, Kent, admitted the charges on the basis that he did not enter the depot, kidnap the manager and his family, or handle firearms. | Allen, from Chatham, Kent, admitted the charges on the basis that he did not enter the depot, kidnap the manager and his family, or handle firearms. |
Police have found £21m of the £53m stolen in the robbery at a Securitas depot in Tonbridge in 2006. | |
Allen's plea was also accepted on the basis he was working for his best friend and fellow cage-fighter Lee Murray and "did his bidding" in the planning of the raid. | |
Breast enhancement | |
The pair fled to Morocco in February 2006 and began a cocaine-fuelled party lifestyle in the sun, buying property and expensive cars. | The pair fled to Morocco in February 2006 and began a cocaine-fuelled party lifestyle in the sun, buying property and expensive cars. |
Court documents also revealed they spent thousands of pounds on breast enhancement operations in England for their partners. | Court documents also revealed they spent thousands of pounds on breast enhancement operations in England for their partners. |
Allen went on trial after being arrested and extradited to the UK but the Old Bailey jury was discharged in January after it failed to reach a verdict. | Allen went on trial after being arrested and extradited to the UK but the Old Bailey jury was discharged in January after it failed to reach a verdict. |
Securitas inquiry 'still ongoing' | |
Jurors were told the robbery was masterminded by Lee Murray, who remains in Morocco. | |
Allen had been due to face a retrial at Woolwich Crown Court last week. | Allen had been due to face a retrial at Woolwich Crown Court last week. |
Prosecutor Sir John Nutting QC told the jurors during Allen's first trial the robbery was planned and executed with "military precision". | |
Depot manager Colin Dixon and his 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. | |
'Violent crime' | |
Following Allen's guilty pleas, Kent Police and lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service vowed to track down the remaining millions and bring any outstanding offenders to justice. | |
Kent Police Chief Constable Michael Fuller said: 'When I launched this investigation I made it clear that we would go anywhere in the world to find those responsible for this violent crime. | |
"We have done that and I'm pleased those perpetrators have been brought to justice. | |
"Allen's guilty plea means an end to this part of the proceedings in this country. | |
"It does not mean an end to the investigation and by no means an end to recovering the outstanding money or assets obtained through the proceeds of this robbery." | |
Five people were jailed in January 2008 for their parts in the crime. |