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Four guilty over armed bank raids Four guilty over armed bank raids
(9 minutes later)
Four men have been convicted over a series of armed robberies across southern England, which ended when police shot dead two gang members.Four men have been convicted over a series of armed robberies across southern England, which ended when police shot dead two gang members.
The defendants, from London, conspired to organise or execute up to 21 robberies on banks or cash box delivery guards, netting £500,000.The defendants, from London, conspired to organise or execute up to 21 robberies on banks or cash box delivery guards, netting £500,000.
Their 18-month campaign ended when the gang leaders were shot dead by armed officers outside a bank in Hampshire.Their 18-month campaign ended when the gang leaders were shot dead by armed officers outside a bank in Hampshire.
The men, who denied involvement, will be sentenced later.The men, who denied involvement, will be sentenced later.
Terence Wallace, 26, of Raynes Park, Adrian Johnson, 28, from Streatham Hill, Leroy Wilkinson, 29, from Streatham and and Victor Iniodu, 34, from Tooting, all denied conspiracy to rob between April 2006 and September 2007.Terence Wallace, 26, of Raynes Park, Adrian Johnson, 28, from Streatham Hill, Leroy Wilkinson, 29, from Streatham and and Victor Iniodu, 34, from Tooting, all denied conspiracy to rob between April 2006 and September 2007.
Shot dead A jury at Kingston Crown Court, London, found them guilty after four days of deliberation.Clockwise from top left Johnson, Wilkinson, Iniodu and Wallace
A jury at Kingston Crown Court, London, found them guilty after four days of deliberation. The court heard how the gang's activities were eventually stopped when gang leader Mark Nunes was killed when he was shot as he held a gun to a security guard's head.
The court heard how the gang's activities were eventually stopped when gang leader Mark Nunes was killed as he held a gun to a security guard's head
During the trial, the prosecution said mobile phone records of the gang members placed them at the scene of a series of bank raids, exactly one week before the crimes, or during the crimes themselves.During the trial, the prosecution said mobile phone records of the gang members placed them at the scene of a series of bank raids, exactly one week before the crimes, or during the crimes themselves.
The prosecution also said the phone records showed defendants had all been in contact with Mr Nunes.The prosecution also said the phone records showed defendants had all been in contact with Mr Nunes.
He died as he held his gun to a cash box security guard's head outside the HSBC branch in Chandler's Ford. He died after he was shot outside the HSBC branch in Chandler's Ford.
A second man, Andrew Markland, 36, was also shot and killed during the raid. A second man, Andrew Markland, 36, was also shot and killed during the raid.Mark Nunes (l) and Andrew Markland were shot dead by police
A total of 21 banks were targeted by the gang in Gloucester, Swindon, Bristol, Bath, Colchester, Tilehurst in Berkshire, Cherry Hinton near Cambridge, Oxford, Croydon, Ipswich and Chandler's Ford.A total of 21 banks were targeted by the gang in Gloucester, Swindon, Bristol, Bath, Colchester, Tilehurst in Berkshire, Cherry Hinton near Cambridge, Oxford, Croydon, Ipswich and Chandler's Ford.
Prior to the start of the trial, three men - Leroy Hall, Leon McKenzie and Brian Henry - pleaded guilty to being part of the gang.Prior to the start of the trial, three men - Leroy Hall, Leon McKenzie and Brian Henry - pleaded guilty to being part of the gang.
After the trial the Independent Police Complaints Commission said it would not prosecute the Flying Squad firearms officers over the deaths.
Det Insp Terry Wilson, from the Metropolitan Police Service's Flying Squad, said: "Today's verdicts demonstrate the ability of the Flying Squad to convict those responsible for armed robberies through professional investigations.
"The results do not though overshadow the fact that during the commission of one offence two men were fatally shot by police officers.
"The death of any person as a result of police action is deeply regrettable."
"The fact we exist, along with today's convictions, should serve as a warning to all those who would consider committing such an offence.
"The fact that majority of the offences have taken place outside of London did not limit our ability to investigate."