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Hatton Garden raid gang due for sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court

Seven men are today facing years in prison for their roles in the biggest burglary in English history.

The £14m Hatton Garden raid, masterminded by Dartford pensioner Brian Reader, saw the gang steal gold and cash from London’s famous jewellery quarter at the centre of the UK diamond trade last Easter.

At today's hearing, it was revealed Reader, 77, may only have months to live after falling ill while awaiting sentencing.

Hatton Garden 'mastermind' Brian Reader. Picture: Met Police
Hatton Garden 'mastermind' Brian Reader. Picture: Met Police

The pensioner was taken into hospital last month after suffering a stroke.

Reader pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary last September alongside John Collins, 75, Daniel Jones, 61, and Terry Perkins, 67.

Carl Wood, 59, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire and William Lincoln, 60, of Winkley Street, Bethnal Green, were convicted of conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to conceal, convert or transfer criminal property, after a trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

Hugh Doyle, 49, of Enfield, north London, was found guilty of concealing, converting or transferring criminal property between January 1 and May 19 last year.

The scene of the crime
The scene of the crime

All seven are being sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court from today, in a hearing expected to last three days.

Over the weekend, Reader's lawyer questioned whether Reader - the so-called "guv'nor" - should have been escorted by armed police in hospital.

Reader is thought to have been transferred from Belmarsh Prison to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for cancer treatment, with footage of him being escorted by an armed guard broadcast by Sky News.

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