Old Course gem heist gang facing jail
A CROSS-border surveillance operation by police foiled a raid on the Queen's jewellers at the home of golf, it was revealed yesterday.
Old Course Hotel was the scene of the heist
Scottish detectives swooped to arrest a crime gang from London before they could strike at Mappin and Webb at the five-star
Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, Fife. The High Court in Glasgow heard the seven-strong gang had been tracked by the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad. All seven were found guilty of planning an armed robbery in March last year following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Weapons were bought, a recce was carried out on the shop and two speedy Italian scooters were stolen in preparation of the heist. Louie Attwood and McGinley were seen walking around the plush hotel recording footage on mobile phones of the jewellers.
If they had turned up 10 minutes later, they'd have caught us right in the act
Afterwards, Peter Attwood hired a BMW in London while his son Louie bought sledgehammers, holdalls, motorcycle helmets, jackets and waterproof trousers. The court heard officers monitored a property close to Govan police station where Peter Attwood, 44, Glaswegian Kevin Mulheron, 34 and Kai McGinley, 18, were seen travelling to various stores before setting off for St Andrews.
Louie Attwood, 21, was also prosecuted for his role in the robbery attempt after he was captured on film "scoping" the hotel. Paul Hogwood, 56, Benson Aluko, 20, and Tommy Slayford, 20, travelled separately in a Ford Transit van to St Andrews.
Paul Hogwood made statements over the prison phone
But armed police surrounded both vehicles and detained the men, recovering weapons, balaclavas and gloves and two Piaggio scooters to be used in the getaway.
The gang denied the charges but the jury that found them guilty heard Hogwood made a prison call in which he said: "If they had turned up 10 minutes later, they'd have caught us right in the act."
Peter Atwood hired a BMW in London
Louie Atwood bought sledge hammers, holdalls and motorcycle helmets
Detective Inspector Stevie Sandilands, from Police Scotland's organised crime unit, last night said: "I would like to thank the Met for their proactive and swift assistance, which helped us stop a potentially violent and dangerous incident taking place."
After the verdicts, the court was told the gang have a lengthy list of convictions including Hogwood and Peter Attwood each being found guilty of robbery in the past. Judge John Morris QC deferred sentencing for reports.