Peacock boss up on million pound robbery...
Posted: 17 Jun 2004, 18:37
Three men currently on trial at Southwark Crown Court on serious charges include Peacock Gym boss Paul "Pongo" Bowers. Police spent nine months secretly filming their headquarters, the Peacock Gym, owned by 37-year-old Bowers of North Woolwich.
The gang went on to rob £1.1m at Gatwick Airport using a specially converted security lookalike van and bogus uniforms and passes. But flying squad officers swooped as they drove off.
The men had conned a security guard into opening a vault where the money was kept and even into helping them load the cash.
All three men deny conspiracy to obtain property by deception. Bowers also denies two counts of conspiracy to obtain property by deception, two counts of conspiracy to handle stolen goods and conspiracy to steal.
The court heard the gang also raided docks at Thamesport, Felixstowe and Grangemouth in Scotland, stealing lorry loads of vodka, adhesive tape, food blenders and stereos.
The gang went on to rob £1.1m at Gatwick Airport using a specially converted security lookalike van and bogus uniforms and passes. But flying squad officers swooped as they drove off.
The men had conned a security guard into opening a vault where the money was kept and even into helping them load the cash.
All three men deny conspiracy to obtain property by deception. Bowers also denies two counts of conspiracy to obtain property by deception, two counts of conspiracy to handle stolen goods and conspiracy to steal.
The court heard the gang also raided docks at Thamesport, Felixstowe and Grangemouth in Scotland, stealing lorry loads of vodka, adhesive tape, food blenders and stereos.