A gang of thieves from London who stole ancient artefacts from a Swiss museum have been jailed for plotting to kill a cage fighter at his luxury home. Paul Allen, 47, was paralysed after being shot in the neck at his home in Woodford Green, east London, on 11 July 2019. Prosecutors alleged the background to the shooting was that Allen was a "sophisticated" career criminal. Following a trial at the Old Bailey brothers Louis Ahearne, 36, and Stewart Ahearne, 46, along with Daniel Kelly, 46, were each found guilty of conspiracy to murder. Earlier, Louis Ahearne was sentenced to 33 years, his older brother Stewart Ahearne for 30 years and Kelly for 36 years plus an extra five years on licence. "The underlying motive for the shooting remains unknown," Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC said. She added that she was satisfied Kelly was the one who pulled the trigger but concluded that a life sentence for Kelly was "not justified". During the trial, jurors heard that a month before the shooting the Ahearne brothers and Kelly burgled Chinese Ming Dynasty artefacts from the Museum of Far Eastern Art in Geneva. Allen was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court in 2009 for his part in Britain's biggest armed robbery, at Securitas in Tonbridge, Kent, in 2006 in which £54m in cash was stolen, much of which has never been recovered. By 2019, Allen had been released from prison and moved from south London to a large detached property in Woodford, north-east London, where he lived with his partner and young children. "Whether the motive for that shooting was connected is something we may never know," Judge Whitehouse added in her remarks. In July 2019, the trio travelled more than once from their home turf in the Woolwich area of south-east London to Allen's home in Woodford Green as part of the planning and execution of the murder plot, the court heard. Jurors were told in the days leading up to the shooting, a tracking device was put on a Mercedes car belonging to Allen. Unregistered pay-as-you-go phones were used by the defendants to communicate with each other, while a car was rented by Stewart Ahearne. This vehicle was used to follow the Mercedes around east London the day before the shooting. Prosecutor Michael Shaw KC said it was clear from an examination of the scene of the shooting that the gunmen had positioned themselves at the rear of the property and fired six shots from what appeared to be a Glock 9mm handgun. The shots had been fired across the back garden of the house in Malvern Drive and passed through the kitchen and conservatory doors, with at least two rounds striking Allen in the hand and throat. After the shots were fired, neighbours saw between one and three figures running away and getting into a car that made off at speed. Kelly's and Louis Ahearne's DNA was found on a rear garden fence panel close to where five spent bullet casings from the Glock were discovered, the court was told. A gun sight was found the following month at Kelly's home in Charlton, jurors heard. Only Louis Ahearne gave evidence in his defence. He told the court he had become involved in the Geneva museum heist in order to pay off a debt he owed Kelly. He denied being part of the conspiracy to kill Allen and blamed Kelly as the person who pulled the trigger. Louis Ahearne told jurors he believed he was there to commit a burglary or robbery of a drug dealer's house. In mitigation, Louis Ahearne's lawyer Avirup Chaudhuri refered to letters from prison staff who describe him as a "model prisoner". Chaudhuri added: "He has seen his son once in the last five years. The time he will spend in prison now will be double hard because of the evidence he gave in the trial. "The position has been made worse by a story in a national newspaper who described him as a 'marked man'. "He will be spending in time in prison with one eye over his shoulder." It can now be reported that Kelly - who did not attend the sentencing hearing due to ongoing severe back pain - is one of three men wanted by Japanese authorities as part of a landmark extradition request. In a recent High Court ruling, Japanese authorities accuse Kelly and two others of posing as customers to steal items worth £679,000 (¥106m) from a Harry Winston store on 20 November 2015. The trio punched and injured a security guard, smashed showcase glass cabinets and seized 46 items - including diamond rings, Japanese police say. For almost a decade Japanese authorities have pursued the extradition of Kelly, his son Kaine Wright, 28, of Plumstead, and Joe Chappell, 38, from Belvedere. A judgement is due next month on Chappell and Wright who have had their cases heard in various courts in recent years. Kelly only appeared in court at the end of March over the extradition due to the conspiracy to murder case against him taking precedence. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London onSoundsand follow BBC London onFacebook,XandInstagram. Send your story ideas tohello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk
Men who plotted to kill cage fighter involved in UK's biggest heist sentenced to at least 30 years
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Gang Sentenced for Conspiracy to Murder Former Cage Fighter After Museum Heist"
Bbc News
8.3
TruthLens AI Summary
A London gang involved in the theft of ancient artefacts from a Swiss museum has been sentenced for conspiring to murder a former cage fighter. Paul Allen, 47, was paralyzed after being shot in the neck at his home in Woodford Green on July 11, 2019. During the trial at the Old Bailey, it was revealed that Allen, a convicted career criminal known for his role in the UK's biggest armed robbery, was targeted by the gang comprising brothers Louis and Stewart Ahearne, along with Daniel Kelly. The court heard that the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, with Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC noting that while Kelly was identified as the shooter, a life sentence was deemed inappropriate. Each of the defendants received significant prison sentences, with Louis Ahearne receiving 33 years, Stewart Ahearne 30 years, and Kelly 36 years plus an additional five years on license.
The court proceedings detailed the planning that led to the attack on Allen, including the use of tracking devices and unregistered phones to coordinate the assault. Jurors learned that the gang had previously burgled valuable Ming Dynasty artefacts from a Geneva museum, and in the days leading up to the shooting, they had surveilled Allen's home. On the day of the attack, the gunmen fired six shots from a Glock 9mm handgun, striking Allen in the hand and throat as he was in his kitchen. Following the shooting, evidence linking the defendants to the scene was presented, including DNA found on a garden fence near where spent bullet casings were discovered. In addition to the murder conspiracy, Kelly faces extradition requests from Japanese authorities for his alleged involvement in a high-profile theft from a luxury store. The ongoing legal battles for the defendants highlight their extensive criminal backgrounds and the serious nature of their offenses, raising questions about the motivations behind their violent actions.
TruthLens AI Analysis
This article reveals serious criminal activities involving a gang that plotted to kill a well-known figure in the UK. It provides insights into the criminal underworld, the motivations behind violent acts, and the consequences for those involved in such conspiracies. The mention of a high-profile heist adds an additional layer of intrigue, as it connects the individuals involved to a larger narrative of crime and punishment.
Criminal Background and Sentencing
The report details the sentencing of the Ahearne brothers and Daniel Kelly for their conspiracy to murder Paul Allen, a figure with a notorious criminal history himself. The sentencing of 30-36 years reflects the severity of their actions, indicating a strong stance by the judiciary against violent crime. The fact that Allen was previously involved in Britain's biggest armed robbery adds complexity to the case, suggesting a potential cycle of criminality where past actions may lead to retaliation or further violence.
Motives and Unknown Factors
Judge Sarah Whitehouse's remarks about the unknown motives behind the shooting raise questions regarding the nature of criminal relationships and rivalries. This uncertainty might lead the public to speculate about the intricacies of gang affiliations and the potential for unresolved conflicts in the criminal world, creating an air of mystery that could engage the reader.
Public Perception and Community Impact
The article aims to evoke a sense of concern and awareness about violent crime in society, particularly regarding the involvement of individuals with significant criminal backgrounds. By highlighting the brutal nature of the plot, it may foster a perception that crime is prevalent and dangerous, potentially influencing public opinion on law enforcement and crime prevention strategies.
Connections to Broader Issues
Comparatively, this story reflects ongoing challenges in urban areas regarding gang violence and organized crime. It may resonate with other recent reports of violent crime or high-profile trials, suggesting a pattern that the public may find alarming. The implications for community safety and the effectiveness of the justice system are significant, as these stories often lead to calls for stronger law enforcement measures.
Economic and Political Implications
While the direct economic impact may be limited, the underlying issues of crime can influence local economies, especially in areas affected by gang violence. Politically, this may lead to discussions around crime policy, funding for law enforcement, and social programs aimed at reducing crime rates.
Social Dynamics and Community Response
The article may appeal to communities concerned about crime, especially those directly affected by gang violence. It could serve to rally support for crime prevention initiatives or community safety programs, indicating a desire for change among citizens.
Potential Market Reactions
Although the news may not directly impact stock markets, companies involved in security services or community safety solutions could see increased interest. Additionally, the public's reaction to increasing violence may influence consumer behavior in affected areas.
Global Context and Relevance
In a broader context, this story reflects the ongoing issues of crime that many urban areas face worldwide. While it may not have a direct connection to current global power dynamics, the underlying themes of violence and crime echo in various societies, making it relevant in discussions about social stability.
Use of AI in Reporting
While the article appears to be written by a human author, AI could have been used for data analysis or structuring information. If AI were involved, it might have influenced the presentation of facts or the framing of the narrative to engage readers more effectively.
The overall trustworthiness of the article seems high, considering the detailed reporting of the trial and the sentencing. However, as with any report on crime, it is essential to remain aware of potential biases in framing and the sensationalization of violence.