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Airport raid accused goes on run | Airport raid accused goes on run |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Suspected Heathrow warehouse armed robber Peter Blake has gone on the run from his trial at London's High Court, while on court bail. | Suspected Heathrow warehouse armed robber Peter Blake has gone on the run from his trial at London's High Court, while on court bail. |
Mr Blake, 57, who police described as dangerous, went missing on Wednesday. | Mr Blake, 57, who police described as dangerous, went missing on Wednesday. |
The man is one of four men standing trial over a £1.75m armed robbery at Heathrow Airport in 2004. | The man is one of four men standing trial over a £1.75m armed robbery at Heathrow Airport in 2004. |
It is the first crown court criminal trial to be held without a jury in England and Wales for more than 350 years. | It is the first crown court criminal trial to be held without a jury in England and Wales for more than 350 years. |
'Professional robbery' | 'Professional robbery' |
Police said Mr Blake, from Notting Hill, west London, went missing at 1415 GMT in the vicinity of the Royal Courts of Justice. | Police said Mr Blake, from Notting Hill, west London, went missing at 1415 GMT in the vicinity of the Royal Courts of Justice. |
Officers have appealed for information in a bid to trace him. | Officers have appealed for information in a bid to trace him. |
He is described as white, 5ft 7in (1.7m) with blue eyes and grey receding hair. | He is described as white, 5ft 7in (1.7m) with blue eyes and grey receding hair. |
The defendant was last seen wearing dark trousers and a black anorak-style raincoat. | The defendant was last seen wearing dark trousers and a black anorak-style raincoat. |
Det Supt Stuart Cundy, of the MPS Flying Squad, said: "Peter Blake is considered dangerous and we would ask members of the public not to approach Peter Blake, but if they do see him to call 999 immediately." | Det Supt Stuart Cundy, of the MPS Flying Squad, said: "Peter Blake is considered dangerous and we would ask members of the public not to approach Peter Blake, but if they do see him to call 999 immediately." |
An all ports warning has been issued. | An all ports warning has been issued. |
Bail opposed | |
The Crown Prosecution Service said Mr Blake has been on bail since August 2007, when his second trial ended with a hung jury. | |
He had previously been in custody for two years. | |
A CPS spokeswoman said the prosecution had opposed the granting of bail. | |
Mr Blake went on trial alongside John Twomey, Barry Hibberd and Glen Cameron at the Royal Courts of Justice in January. | Mr Blake went on trial alongside John Twomey, Barry Hibberd and Glen Cameron at the Royal Courts of Justice in January. |
The four were being tried by Mr Justice Treacy after being accused of taking part in a "professionally executed" robbery. | The four were being tried by Mr Justice Treacy after being accused of taking part in a "professionally executed" robbery. |
An armed gang of six wearing high-visibility jackets escaped with £1.75m in various currencies, the court has heard. | An armed gang of six wearing high-visibility jackets escaped with £1.75m in various currencies, the court has heard. |
All four men on trial have denied a series of charges including robbery and firearm possession. | All four men on trial have denied a series of charges including robbery and firearm possession. |