Hoxton pensioner in court over Hatton Garden jewellery heist

A Hoxton pensioner was one of nine men who appeared in court today over the multi million pound Hatton Garden jewellery heist carried out in April.

John Collins, 74, of Blestoe Walk, Hoxton, was allegedly part of the gang that plotted to enter the safe deposit box at the Holborn Jewellers and steal a quantity of jewellery and other items, causing losses “in excess of £10million” to those effected.

All nine are also charged with conspiracy to conceal, disguise, convert or transfer criminal property, namely a quantity of jewellery and other items, between April 1 and May 19.

Also appearing in court with Collins were William Lincoln, 59, of Winkley Street, Bethnal Green, Brian Reader, 76 and Paul Reader, 50, of Dartford Road, Dartford, Carl Wood, 58, of Elderbeck Close, Cheshunt, John Harbinson, 42, of Benfleet in Essex and Enfield men Terry Perkins, 67, of Heene Road, Daniel Jones, 58, of Park Avenue, Hugh Doyle, 48, of Riverside Gardens.

The raid over the Easter weekend saw thieves break into the vault at Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company in London’s jewellery quarter.

Officers believe they got into the building, which houses a number of businesses, through a communal entrance before disabling the lift so they could climb down the shaft to the basement.

It is thought that they then forced open shutter doors and used a drill to bore a hole 20 inches deep, 10 inches high and 18 inches into the vault wall.

Once inside, the thieves ransacked 73 safety deposit boxes, taking millions of pounds-worth of items.

The nine men are due to next appear at court on September 4 for a plea hearing.

After facing criticism for the way the incident was handled, the Met Police apologised for not following procedures when receiving a call from a security firm about an intruder alert at the premises at midnight on Good Friday.

But Flying Squad detectives rejected the suggestion that they were bungling “Keystone Cops”.