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Trial over £53m cash heist starts £53m raid 'gang kidnapped child'
(about 1 hour later)
The trial of eight people accused of involvement in the UK's biggest cash robbery has begun at the Old Bailey. A young child was kidnapped at gunpoint by robbers posing as policemen to carry out Britain's biggest cash heist, Old Bailey jurors have heard.
Seven men and one woman face charges in relation to the £53m raid on the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent, last February. The court heard the £53m raid gang waylaid the manager of the Kent Securitas depot and interrogated him.
Then they told his wife and child he had been in a crash and offered to take them to his hospital bedside, but kidnapped them too, the jury was told.
Seven men and one woman face charges in relation to the raid last February.
The trial of eight people accused of involvement in the Tonbridge robbery got under way on Tuesday.
He was interrogated about the depot and about its security arrangements by men armed with guns Sir John Nutting, prosecutor
The case is expected to last up to five months.
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 outlined the case to the jury. Prosecution barrister Sir John Nutting QC said the gang used what appeared to be a police car and theatrical disguises to waylay Colin Dixon, stopping his car as he drove home, Sir John said.
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 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.
"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.
'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.
The case continues.The case continues.