Hatton Garden heist mastermind Brian Reader released from prison after just 3 years behind bars

Brian Reader has been released after serving half of his prison sentence
PA
Alexandra Richards16 July 2018

The oldest member of the Hatton Garden heist gang has been released from prison after serving just three years of his sentence, according to reports.

Brian Reader, 79, was the mastermind behind the huge jewellery raid in London's diamond district over Easter weekend in 2015.

According to The Sun he was released from the capital's Belmarsh Prison last week.

Reader, who suffered prostate cancer and a series of strokes, was released with remission after serving half of his six-year and three-month sentence, the newspaper reported.

John Collins, Terry Perkins and Brian Reader in the Castle Public House, Pentonville Road. Carl Wood, William Lincoln and Hugh Doyle were convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of involvement in the Hatton Garden raid.
PA Archive/PA Images

The career criminal was known as “The Guv’nor” and was part of the gang that stole 70 safety deposit boxes during a £14 million heist.

His early release has sparked outrage as he has not repaid the full cost of the stolen gems and cash.

The criminal mastermind was due to spend a further seven years in prison if he failed to pay the £6.5million confiscation order imposed on him and his accomplices.

Brian Reader was released from Belmarsh prison
Metropolitan Police

Initially Mr Reader was due to return to jail at the end of the month when the pay back limit expires but he has been given leave by the Court of Appeal to challenge the order.

It is understood that he will remain free until the appeal is settled. At present no date has been set for his appeal hearing.

The Sun reported that Mr Reader has been enjoying his freedom at his home in Kent and has been spotted going for rides in his son’s Porsche sports car.

The Hatton Garden heist is believed to have been the biggest in English history.

Six men have been convicted and jailed for their roles in the raid.

Three other people were given suspended sentences for money laundering offences.

Due to his health, Reader received a sentence seven months shorter than his fellow Hatton Garden ringleaders.

One of the raiders Terry Perkins died in prison in February.

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