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Depot boss 'was best inside man' | Depot boss 'was best inside man' |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The manager of the depot at the centre of Britain's biggest cash robbery could have been "the best inside man" for the job, a defence lawyer has told a court. | |
Colin Dixon was being cross-examined at the Old Bailey, where eight people deny charges in relation to the £53m heist in Tonbridge, Kent, in February 2006. | Colin Dixon was being cross-examined at the Old Bailey, where eight people deny charges in relation to the £53m heist in Tonbridge, Kent, in February 2006. |
Mr Dixon said that during 27 police interviews after the raid, he felt "more like a suspect" than a victim. | Mr Dixon said that during 27 police interviews after the raid, he felt "more like a suspect" than a victim. |
The manager and his family are said to have been held hostage by the gang. | The manager and his family are said to have been held hostage by the gang. |
Mr Dixon, 52, was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint in the raid. | Mr Dixon, 52, was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint in the raid. |
You were the best inside man that a group of robbers could have wished for Graeme Wilson | You were the best inside man that a group of robbers could have wished for Graeme Wilson |
He told jurors that CCTV footage of his actions on the night could have been "misinterpreted" as showing that he was involved. | He told jurors that CCTV footage of his actions on the night could have been "misinterpreted" as showing that he was involved. |
It was suggested to Mr Dixon that he would have had "detailed information that might be required by the robbers". | It was suggested to Mr Dixon that he would have had "detailed information that might be required by the robbers". |
Graeme Wilson, representing the defendant Lea Rusha, said: "Potentially you were the best inside man that a group of robbers could have wished for." | Graeme Wilson, representing the defendant Lea Rusha, said: "Potentially you were the best inside man that a group of robbers could have wished for." |
Mr Dixon replied: "Potentially, yes." | Mr Dixon replied: "Potentially, yes." |
The depot manager was questioned about CCTV footage which showed him getting the keys to the vault, moving a security camera, and closing the depot gates behind him when he entered with one of the gang. | The depot manager was questioned about CCTV footage which showed him getting the keys to the vault, moving a security camera, and closing the depot gates behind him when he entered with one of the gang. |
Mr Wilson said: "Do you accept that your actions could have been interpreted or misinterpreted as you being involved?" | Mr Wilson said: "Do you accept that your actions could have been interpreted or misinterpreted as you being involved?" |
The £53m Securitas raid was the UK's largest cash robbery | The £53m Securitas raid was the UK's largest cash robbery |
And Mr Dixon replied: "Misinterpreted, yes." | And Mr Dixon replied: "Misinterpreted, yes." |
The court has previously heard from Mr Dixon that he answered the gang's questions on the night because he feared for the safety of his wife and young child. | The court has previously heard from Mr Dixon that he answered the gang's questions on the night because he feared for the safety of his wife and young child. |
The defendants on trial include car salesman Stuart Royle, 48, of Maidstone, Kent, and his former business partner, John Fowler, 58, of Staplehurst, Kent. | The defendants on trial include car salesman Stuart Royle, 48, of Maidstone, Kent, and his former business partner, John Fowler, 58, of Staplehurst, Kent. |
Also charged are former depot worker Ermir Hysenaj, 27, of Crowborough, East Sussex; Jetmir Bucpapa, 26, of Tonbridge, Kent; roofer Lea Rusha, 35, of Southborough, Kent; garage owner Roger Coutts, 30, of Welling, south-east London; and hairdresser Michelle Hogg, 32, of Woolwich, south-east London. | Also charged are former depot worker Ermir Hysenaj, 27, of Crowborough, East Sussex; Jetmir Bucpapa, 26, of Tonbridge, Kent; roofer Lea Rusha, 35, of Southborough, Kent; garage owner Roger Coutts, 30, of Welling, south-east London; and hairdresser Michelle Hogg, 32, of Woolwich, south-east London. |
They all deny conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to possess firearms. | They all deny conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to possess firearms. |
Signwriter Keith Borer, 53, of Maidstone, Kent, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of handling stolen money. | Signwriter Keith Borer, 53, of Maidstone, Kent, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of handling stolen money. |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
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