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-27336796
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| 'Skull Cracker' Michael Wheatley in court over robbery | 'Skull Cracker' Michael Wheatley in court over robbery |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A man has appeared in court accused of armed robbery while being on the run from an open prison in Kent. | A man has appeared in court accused of armed robbery while being on the run from an open prison in Kent. |
| Michael Wheatley, 55, known as the "Skull Cracker", was arrested in London after Wednesday's raid on the Chelsea Building Society in Sunbury in Surrey. | Michael Wheatley, 55, known as the "Skull Cracker", was arrested in London after Wednesday's raid on the Chelsea Building Society in Sunbury in Surrey. |
| He is charged with robbery of £18,350, possessing an imitation firearm and being unlawfully at large. | He is charged with robbery of £18,350, possessing an imitation firearm and being unlawfully at large. |
| Redhill Magistrates remanded him in custody to appear at Guildford Crown Court on 29 May. | |
| Kevin Perry, 53, of West India Dock Road, is due to appear in court later accused of assisting an offender, perverting the course of justice and handling stolen goods. | Kevin Perry, 53, of West India Dock Road, is due to appear in court later accused of assisting an offender, perverting the course of justice and handling stolen goods. |
| 'Didn't return' | 'Didn't return' |
| Mr Wheatley spoke only to confirm his name during the five-minute hearing. | Mr Wheatley spoke only to confirm his name during the five-minute hearing. |
| He was flanked by four police officers in stab vests and was handcuffed throughout the hearing. | He was flanked by four police officers in stab vests and was handcuffed throughout the hearing. |
| Prosecutor Darren Matravers said Mr Wheatley carried out the robbery after initially going missing on Saturday while on temporary licence for one day from the Category D HMP Standford Hill on the Isle of Sheppey. | Prosecutor Darren Matravers said Mr Wheatley carried out the robbery after initially going missing on Saturday while on temporary licence for one day from the Category D HMP Standford Hill on the Isle of Sheppey. |
| He said: "He didn't return and so was unlawfully at large." | He said: "He didn't return and so was unlawfully at large." |
| He had been due to return to the prison at 18:00 BST on Saturday. | He had been due to return to the prison at 18:00 BST on Saturday. |
| No-one was hurt during the raid on the building society branch in Staines Road, but a spokesman for the company said staff had been left shaken. | No-one was hurt during the raid on the building society branch in Staines Road, but a spokesman for the company said staff had been left shaken. |