Hatton Garden jury begins deliberations on final suspect 'Basil'

The jury was shown an image which they were told showed Michael Seed meeting with John Collins who was involved in the Hatton Garden heist
Met Police
James Morris5 March 2019
WEST END FINAL

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A jury trying the last suspect in the Hatton Garden heist has been sent out to begin its deliberations.

Michael Seed, 58, is alleged to be the alarm expert nicknamed Basil who was a key player in the £14 million raid over the 2015 Easter bank holiday weekend.

He is also accused of carrying out a similar burglary at Bond Street jewellers Chatila five years earlier with the same team.

Seed was arrested when police raided his one-bedroom council flat in Islington on March 27 last year, his trial at the Old Bailey has heard.

Hatton Garden heist trial - Images shown in court

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Flying Squad officers found £143,000 worth of gold, gems and jewellery stolen from the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit company, the court heard.

Seed, who grew up in Cambridge, denies two charges of conspiracy to commit burglary and one count of conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

He told jurors at Woolwich Crown Court he has never been known as Basil and had nothing to do with the high-end crimes.

Seed told the court he was given the Hatton Garden goods as part of his jewellery recycling work and did not go to police when he realised it was stolen for fear of arrest.

Judge Christopher Kinch sent out a jury of six men and six women on Tuesday afternoon to begin deliberations following a four-week trial.

Reporting by Press Association.

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