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Ex security guard Eddie Maher admits £1.2m theft Ex security guard Eddie Maher admits £1.2m theft
(35 minutes later)
A man who spent almost 20 years on the run in the US has admitted stealing a security van containing £1.2m in Suffolk.A man who spent almost 20 years on the run in the US has admitted stealing a security van containing £1.2m in Suffolk.
Eddie Maher, 57, had been wanted by police since the Securicor van he was driving disappeared from outside Lloyds Bank, Felixstowe, on 22 January 1993.Eddie Maher, 57, had been wanted by police since the Securicor van he was driving disappeared from outside Lloyds Bank, Felixstowe, on 22 January 1993.
He was arrested in Missouri in February 2012.He was arrested in Missouri in February 2012.
Maher, originally of South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, entered a last-minute guilty plea at Southwark Crown Court.Maher, originally of South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, entered a last-minute guilty plea at Southwark Crown Court.
He had driven off in the Securicor van, with £1,172,500 in cash inside, from outside Lloyds Bank.He had driven off in the Securicor van, with £1,172,500 in cash inside, from outside Lloyds Bank.
False identitiesFalse identities
The empty van was found near the town's seafront and the money transferred to two getaway cars.The empty van was found near the town's seafront and the money transferred to two getaway cars.
Police still do not know how Maher pulled off the theft and managed to get out of the country.Police still do not know how Maher pulled off the theft and managed to get out of the country.
In the US he used the false identities of Stephen King and his brother Michael Maher while on the run and intended to fight the allegation on the grounds he had been forced to commit the crime after racking up "significant debts".In the US he used the false identities of Stephen King and his brother Michael Maher while on the run and intended to fight the allegation on the grounds he had been forced to commit the crime after racking up "significant debts".
But Suffolk Police and the Crown Prosecution Service built up evidence proving that the former soldier and firefighter had profited to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds.But Suffolk Police and the Crown Prosecution Service built up evidence proving that the former soldier and firefighter had profited to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
During his time on the run, Maher, whose crime led to him being dubbed "Fast Eddie", built a new life with his partner, Deborah Brett, and their son Lee, who was three years old at the time of the theft. During his time on the run, Maher, whose crime led to him being dubbed "Fast Eddie", built a new life in the US.
After his conviction, detectives revealed details of a series of property investments they say he funded from the proceeds of the crime.After his conviction, detectives revealed details of a series of property investments they say he funded from the proceeds of the crime.
This included a house in Colorado bought with 120,000 US dollars in cash just six months after the theft.This included a house in Colorado bought with 120,000 US dollars in cash just six months after the theft.
Later Maher built a ranch on 80 acres in Colorado before moving around various US states.Later Maher built a ranch on 80 acres in Colorado before moving around various US states.
At the time of his arrest on 9 February 2012, he was working as a cable engineer in Missouri.At the time of his arrest on 9 February 2012, he was working as a cable engineer in Missouri.
But his attempts to escape justice unravelled as he was arrested for illegally possessing firearms.But his attempts to escape justice unravelled as he was arrested for illegally possessing firearms.
When US authorities contacted their UK counterparts about immigration issues, it became clear he was a wanted man.When US authorities contacted their UK counterparts about immigration issues, it became clear he was a wanted man.
'No remorse''No remorse'
Speaking outside court, Det Insp David Giles, from Suffolk Police, said: "Maher said he was forced to carry out this crime and that he only got a small amount of money from it.Speaking outside court, Det Insp David Giles, from Suffolk Police, said: "Maher said he was forced to carry out this crime and that he only got a small amount of money from it.
"He never named the people who he claimed forced him into it and never put forward a credible story."He never named the people who he claimed forced him into it and never put forward a credible story.
"We have succeeded in proving that he profited substantially from the theft and was a key player in the planning and execution of it."We have succeeded in proving that he profited substantially from the theft and was a key player in the planning and execution of it.
"Since his arrest, he has displayed no remorse for what he did - but I get the impression he has spent 20 years looking over his shoulder and hoping the law would not catch up with him.""Since his arrest, he has displayed no remorse for what he did - but I get the impression he has spent 20 years looking over his shoulder and hoping the law would not catch up with him."
Ms Brett, 47, Maher's sister Margaret Francis, 64, and a 54-year-old man, from Woodford Green, east London, are all on bail after being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft. Maher's partner, Deborah Brett, 47; Maher's sister Margaret Francis, 64, and a 54-year-old man, from Woodford Green, east London, are all on bail after being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft.