Six sentenced to a total of 22 years in prison for £1.1 million bullion plot

07/12/2012

Six men were sentenced today at the Central Criminal Court for a sophisticated plot to steal £1.1 million of gold (25 kilos) and silver (150 kilos) bullion belonging to a Swiss company whilst en route to the UK. The bullion was travelling on board a British lorry on a road in Wetteren, Belgium, on 4 November 2011.

On Wednesday 3rd October John Corley was convicted following a trial of conspiracy to steal the gold and silver bullion; six other men (Brian Mulcahay, David Chatwood, Stanley Rose, David Gale, Matthew Middleton and Gary Cummings) had already pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal the bullion.
John Corley, Brian Mulcahay, David Chatwood, Stanley Rose, David Gale, and Gary Cummings were sentenced today. Matthew Middleton will be sentenced at a later date.

CPS lawyer Jonathan McGarry said: "This elaborate conspiracy to steal £1.1 million of gold and silver bullion involved months of preparation and planning.  The plan was 'made in Britain' but carried out in Belgium. Close working between the Crown Prosecution Service in London, the Metropolitan Police, Eurojust and the Belgian police meant those involved were brought to justice. The joint investigation, extradition and subsequent prosecution have been a significant victory for European criminal justice partnership and co-operation."