This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/6203731.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Dome raider gets legal aid to sue Dome raider gets legal aid to sue
(10 minutes later)
The ringleader of a plot to steal diamonds from the Millennium Dome will get legal aid to sue the police.The ringleader of a plot to steal diamonds from the Millennium Dome will get legal aid to sue the police.
William Cockram and three other men tried to snatch £200m worth of diamonds from the site in Greenwich, south east London in November 2000.William Cockram and three other men tried to snatch £200m worth of diamonds from the site in Greenwich, south east London in November 2000.
Cockram has now issued a writ against the Metropolitan Police, saying he was assaulted by officers during the raid.Cockram has now issued a writ against the Metropolitan Police, saying he was assaulted by officers during the raid.
Cockram, from Catford, south east London, was jailed for 18 years in 2002 for the attempted robbery. Cockram, from Catford, south-east London, was jailed for 18 years in 2002 for the attempted robbery.
In a statement, the Legal Services Commission said: "We cannot differentiate between applicants for legal aid on the grounds that a decision to grant funding may be unpopular in a particular case."In a statement, the Legal Services Commission said: "We cannot differentiate between applicants for legal aid on the grounds that a decision to grant funding may be unpopular in a particular case."
Russian mafiaRussian mafia
The Flying Squad mounted its biggest ever operation in history when foiling the plot.The Flying Squad mounted its biggest ever operation in history when foiling the plot.
More than 100 armed officers lay in wait as the gang ram-raided their way into the Thames-side tourist attraction on a JCB earthmover.More than 100 armed officers lay in wait as the gang ram-raided their way into the Thames-side tourist attraction on a JCB earthmover.
The raiders, armed with sledgehammers, a nail gun, ammonia and smoke grenades, were caught by armed police inches away from seizing jewels from the De Beers diamond exhibition vault.The raiders, armed with sledgehammers, a nail gun, ammonia and smoke grenades, were caught by armed police inches away from seizing jewels from the De Beers diamond exhibition vault.
Officers were lying in wait because they had feared a major robbery was being planned and the Dome was under surveillance as a potential target.Officers were lying in wait because they had feared a major robbery was being planned and the Dome was under surveillance as a potential target.
Police believed there was already a potential buyer lined up for the real diamonds, possibly arranged through the Russian Mafia. One theory was that the Millennium Star was wanted by an Arab collector.Police believed there was already a potential buyer lined up for the real diamonds, possibly arranged through the Russian Mafia. One theory was that the Millennium Star was wanted by an Arab collector.