|
The gang twice tried to
rob the Bank of America |
1976: Bank robbers jailed for 100
years |
Artificially 1969:
The Seven men who
took part in an ?m bank robbery have received jail terms totalling nearly
100 years.
The raid at the Bank of America in Mayfair, London, last year is
believed to be the world's biggest.
Passing sentence, Judge Alan King-Hamilton said he was determined the
thieves would not enjoy the fruits of their haul, only ?00,000 of which
has been recovered.
"What has been concealed will remain salted away so far as you are
concerned for a great many years.
"Whatever has happened to it, it will not be used for your benefit,"
Judge King-Hamilton said.
Key evidence in the trial came from Stuart Buckley, the "inside man"
who turned police informant.
Buckley, who worked at the bank as an electrician, told officers the
raid was the gang's second attempt.
They had previously tried unsuccessfully to drill through the bank
vault's lock.
Buckley finally obtained the combination by hiding in the roof space
above the vault door and peering through a hole in the ceiling as
officials opened it.
Judge King-Hamilton passed the longest sentences on those considered to
be the ringleaders.
Safe-cracker Leonard Wilde was sent to jail for 23 years and Peter
Colson, 32, a used car dealer, for 21 years.
The judge also ordered criminal bankruptcy orders for ?00,000 against
both men.
Others in the gang were sentenced to periods ranging from 18 years for
robbery to three years for receiving stolen goods.
However, the man said to have masterminded the crime appears to have
escaped justice.
Frank Maple left Britain shortly after the robbery and is now believed
to be in the African state of Morocco which has no extradition treaty with
the UK.