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Pair guilty of criminal's murder Pair guilty of gangster's murder
(40 minutes later)
Two men have been convicted of murdering a career criminal who was linked to the £26m Brinks-Mat heist.Two men have been convicted of murdering a career criminal who was linked to the £26m Brinks-Mat heist.
George Francis, 63, from Beckenham, Kent, was shot four times at his firm in Bermondsey, south London, by contract killers in 2003. George Francis, 63, from Beckenham, Kent, was shot four times at his haulage firm in Bermondsey, south London, by contract killers in 2003.
Terence Conaghan, 54, from Glasgow, and John O'Flynn, 53, from Cheshunt, Herts, were found guilty of murder.
He was killed after he tried to collect a £70,000 debt from a business contact, Harry Richardson, the Old Bailey heard.He was killed after he tried to collect a £70,000 debt from a business contact, Harry Richardson, the Old Bailey heard.
Mr Richardson, of Petts Wood, Orpington, south-east London, who was accused of ordering Mr Francis' death, has been cleared by the jury. Terence Conaghan, 54, from Glasgow, and John O'Flynn, 53, from Cheshunt, Herts, were found guilty of murder.
Attempt on life Mr Richardson, of Petts Wood, Orpington, south-east London, who was accused of ordering the killing, has been cleared by the jury.
During the trial the victim's wife, Irene, said he was "no angel", while Victor Temple QC, prosecuting, said Mr Francis had a "chequered history" and was a "career criminal".During the trial the victim's wife, Irene, said he was "no angel", while Victor Temple QC, prosecuting, said Mr Francis had a "chequered history" and was a "career criminal".
George Francis is believed to be linked to the 1983 gold bullion robbery
Mr Francis is believed to have helped dispose of a large part of the Brinks-Mat gold bullion heist in 1983. He was the ninth man linked to the robbery to be killed.Mr Francis is believed to have helped dispose of a large part of the Brinks-Mat gold bullion heist in 1983. He was the ninth man linked to the robbery to be killed.
He escaped another attempt on his life 18 years ago.
Mr Francis was shot in the face, back, arm and finger as he went to collect a newspaper from his car.Mr Francis was shot in the face, back, arm and finger as he went to collect a newspaper from his car.
His body was found slumped in the front seat with his legs hanging out of the front passenger door.His body was found slumped in the front seat with his legs hanging out of the front passenger door.
DNA traces
After the shooting, it was found that a CCTV camera at the yard had been adjusted so that it did not film Mr Francis' death, the court heard during the trial.After the shooting, it was found that a CCTV camera at the yard had been adjusted so that it did not film Mr Francis' death, the court heard during the trial.
Mr Francis had survived a previous attempt on his life when he was shot a pub he owned in Kent 18 years ago.
'Clinical execution'
For the prosecution Mr Temple said a cigarette end and a pair of glasses found near the scene showed traces of O'Flynn and Conaghan's DNA.For the prosecution Mr Temple said a cigarette end and a pair of glasses found near the scene showed traces of O'Flynn and Conaghan's DNA.
A 9mm Luger bullet, the same type used to kill Mr Francis, was also found near the building.A 9mm Luger bullet, the same type used to kill Mr Francis, was also found near the building.
After his arrest, Mr Richardson had denied any involvement in the murder and owing Mr Francis money. He said they had been friends.After his arrest, Mr Richardson had denied any involvement in the murder and owing Mr Francis money. He said they had been friends.
Describing the murder as "clinical execution" Det Supt Stuart Cundy said: "It was a callous act on George who believed he was attending a meeting, but in fact had been lured to his death.
"I thank those witnesses who came forward and gave evidence, despite threats and fears for their own personal safety."
O'Flynn and Conaghan will be sentenced on Friday.O'Flynn and Conaghan will be sentenced on Friday.