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Trial over £53m cash heist starts Trial over £53m cash heist starts
(11 minutes later)
The trial of eight people accused of involvement in the UK's biggest cash robbery has begun at the Old Bailey.The trial of eight people accused of involvement in the UK's biggest cash robbery has begun at the Old Bailey.
Seven men and one woman face charges in relation to the £53m raid on the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent, last February.Seven men and one woman face charges in relation to the £53m raid on the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent, last February.
Seven people deny conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to kidnap, and conspiracy to possess firearms. One person denies handling stolen money.Seven people deny conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to kidnap, and conspiracy to possess firearms. One person denies handling stolen money.
Prosecution barrister Sir John Nutting QC has opened the case to the jury. Prosecution barrister Sir John Nutting QC has outlined the case to the jury.
The trial is expected to last up to five months.The trial is expected to last up to five months.
He was interrogated about the depot and about its security arrangements by men armed with guns Sir John NuttingHe was interrogated about the depot and about its security arrangements by men armed with guns Sir John Nutting
The gang used what appeared to be a police car and theatrical disguises to waylay Colin Dixon, the manager of the Securitas depot, stopping his car as he drove home, Sir John said.The gang used what appeared to be a police car and theatrical disguises to waylay Colin Dixon, the manager of the Securitas depot, stopping his car as he drove home, Sir John said.
"Mr Dixon was then taken at gunpoint to an isolated farm where he was interrogated about the depot and about its security arrangements by men armed with guns," he said."Mr Dixon was then taken at gunpoint to an isolated farm where he was interrogated about the depot and about its security arrangements by men armed with guns," he said.
He told jurors "a cruel ruse" was used to take Mr Dixon's wife, Lynn, and their young child from their Herne Bay home.He told jurors "a cruel ruse" was used to take Mr Dixon's wife, Lynn, and their young child from their Herne Bay home.
He said "policemen" told them Mr Dixon was in hospital after a car crash and offered to take them there.He said "policemen" told them Mr Dixon was in hospital after a car crash and offered to take them there.
'Held separately''Held separately'
"Distracted by anxiety", Mrs Dixon left for her husband's bedside "with those whom she believed to be sympathetic and kindly policemen", Sir John said."Distracted by anxiety", Mrs Dixon left for her husband's bedside "with those whom she believed to be sympathetic and kindly policemen", Sir John said.
But when they were in the car, guns were produced, he said.But when they were in the car, guns were produced, he said.
"For much of the time, they were held separately, and were ignorant of each other's fate.""For much of the time, they were held separately, and were ignorant of each other's fate."
Car dealer John Fowler, 58, of Elderden Farm, Chart Hill Road, Staplehurst, Kent; car salesman Stuart Royle, 48, of Allen Street, Maidstone, Kent; unemployed Jetmir Bucpapa, 26, of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, Kent; and roofer Lea Rusha, 35, of Lambersart Close, Southborough, Kent, all deny conspiracy to rob.Car dealer John Fowler, 58, of Elderden Farm, Chart Hill Road, Staplehurst, Kent; car salesman Stuart Royle, 48, of Allen Street, Maidstone, Kent; unemployed Jetmir Bucpapa, 26, of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, Kent; and roofer Lea Rusha, 35, of Lambersart Close, Southborough, Kent, all deny conspiracy to rob.
Hairdresser Michelle Louise Hogg, 32, of Brinklow Crescent, Woolwich, south-east London; garage owner Roger Coutts, 30, of The Green, Welling, south-east London and Ermir Hysenaj, 27, a Post Office worker of New Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, also deny conspiracy to rob.Hairdresser Michelle Louise Hogg, 32, of Brinklow Crescent, Woolwich, south-east London; garage owner Roger Coutts, 30, of The Green, Welling, south-east London and Ermir Hysenaj, 27, a Post Office worker of New Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, also deny conspiracy to rob.
The seven have also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to kidnap Securitas employee Colin Dixon, his wife and son, and conspiracy to possess firearms.The seven have also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to kidnap Securitas employee Colin Dixon, his wife and son, and conspiracy to possess firearms.
Signwriter Keith Borer, 53, of Hempstead Lane, Maidstone, Kent, denies handling stolen money.Signwriter Keith Borer, 53, of Hempstead Lane, Maidstone, Kent, denies handling stolen money.