07/10/2008
Cage Fighters 'At The Heart' of £53m Raid
Two 'cage-fighters' allegedly masterminded Britain's biggest cash robbery and then fled to Morocco via Amsterdam, the Old Bailey has heard.
Paul Allen, 30, and Lee Murray, 29, who both worked part-time as cage-fighters - a martial arts activity - are accused of being at the heart of the £53m Securitas depot raid in Tonbridge, Kent, on February 21, 2006.
Allen, of Chatham was extradited back to Britain, while Murray, of Sidcup, Kent, who claimed Moroccan nationality remains in a jail in the country.
Mr Allen is on trial alongside Michael Demitris, 32, of Bromley Common, south London on charges of conspiracy to rob, to kidnap and to possess a firearm. Both men deny the allegations.
An earlier, separate, trial heard how CCTV cameras helped identify a number of the armed robbers - since found guilty - who held the security depot manager, Colin Dixon, his family, and 14 members of staff hostage as they loaded cash into the back of a 7.5-tonne lorry.
The Dixon family was initially kidnapped by two men dressed as police officers who forced them to go to the cash depot under threat.
The family was told: "You will die if you do not do as you are told," the earlier trial court heard.
See: 'Spy' TV Camera Aided Securitas Robbery
(GK)
Paul Allen, 30, and Lee Murray, 29, who both worked part-time as cage-fighters - a martial arts activity - are accused of being at the heart of the £53m Securitas depot raid in Tonbridge, Kent, on February 21, 2006.
Allen, of Chatham was extradited back to Britain, while Murray, of Sidcup, Kent, who claimed Moroccan nationality remains in a jail in the country.
Mr Allen is on trial alongside Michael Demitris, 32, of Bromley Common, south London on charges of conspiracy to rob, to kidnap and to possess a firearm. Both men deny the allegations.
An earlier, separate, trial heard how CCTV cameras helped identify a number of the armed robbers - since found guilty - who held the security depot manager, Colin Dixon, his family, and 14 members of staff hostage as they loaded cash into the back of a 7.5-tonne lorry.
The Dixon family was initially kidnapped by two men dressed as police officers who forced them to go to the cash depot under threat.
The family was told: "You will die if you do not do as you are told," the earlier trial court heard.
See: 'Spy' TV Camera Aided Securitas Robbery
(GK)
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08 October 2010
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A Bill to reform the centuries-old law which prevents a person being tried twice for the same offence in Scotland has been introduced. The 'double jeopardy' principle dates back over 800 years, but questions have been raised in recent years about whether the law now needs to be updated for the 21st Century.
Double Jeopardy Reforms Commence
A Bill to reform the centuries-old law which prevents a person being tried twice for the same offence in Scotland has been introduced. The 'double jeopardy' principle dates back over 800 years, but questions have been raised in recent years about whether the law now needs to be updated for the 21st Century.
28 July 2006
RBS to provide 'free' ATMs for poor
Royal Bank of Scotland is to provide an initial 300 free-to-use cash machines in some of the Britain's poorest areas. The bank is currently seeking the advice and support from MPs, credit unions and community leaders, to ensure that the most appropriate locations in the UK benefit.
RBS to provide 'free' ATMs for poor
Royal Bank of Scotland is to provide an initial 300 free-to-use cash machines in some of the Britain's poorest areas. The bank is currently seeking the advice and support from MPs, credit unions and community leaders, to ensure that the most appropriate locations in the UK benefit.
28 November 2005
First evidence heard in Saddam trial
The trial of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has heard the first prosecution evidence as his trial, on charges of crimes against humanity, resumed today.
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22 June 2010
Facebook Insults End In Killing
Insults on Facebook have resulted in the killing of an 18-year-old teenager -with a youth, now aged 16 - detained for killing his former best friend. Salum Kombo, 18, was stabbed in the chest in Bromley-by-Bow, east London, in December after calling his killer, then 15, names including "pussy".
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Insults on Facebook have resulted in the killing of an 18-year-old teenager -with a youth, now aged 16 - detained for killing his former best friend. Salum Kombo, 18, was stabbed in the chest in Bromley-by-Bow, east London, in December after calling his killer, then 15, names including "pussy".
01 March 2010
Drug Smuggler Sentenced To 18 Years
A man has pleaded guilty to his part in a £38.5m drug smuggling operation at a retrial. Robert Flook, 49, was sentenced to 18 years for his role in the crime. In February 2008 Flook was given 26 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply 150 kilos of cocaine, and 13 years for conspiracy to supply eight tonnes of cannabis to run concurrently.
Drug Smuggler Sentenced To 18 Years
A man has pleaded guilty to his part in a £38.5m drug smuggling operation at a retrial. Robert Flook, 49, was sentenced to 18 years for his role in the crime. In February 2008 Flook was given 26 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply 150 kilos of cocaine, and 13 years for conspiracy to supply eight tonnes of cannabis to run concurrently.
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