Lee Murray, the mastermind behind Britain's largest cash robbery, has been sentenced to 10 years in a Moroccan prison. The 30-year-old former cage fighter fled to Morocco four days after the gang stole £53 million from a Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent, in 2006.
Murray claimed Moroccan nationality through his father, avoiding extradition to the UK. However, Kent police confirmed that he was successfully prosecuted in Morocco and will serve a decade behind bars. Detective Superintendent Mick Judge expressed satisfaction that Murray will now serve a significant sentence for his role in the robbery.
The gang, posing as police officers, kidnapped depot manager Colin Dixon and his family at gunpoint. Armed with a shotgun and an AK-47, they threatened staff to co-operate. They left behind an additional £153 million because their lorry could not hold more.
Murray and accomplice Paul Allen fled to Morocco, spending lavishly on villas, drugs, jewellery, and plastic surgery for their partners. Allen was extradited to the UK and sentenced to 18 years in 2009. Other gang members received sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years, totalling 156 years.
Details of the charges Murray faced in Morocco remain unclear. He has been held since his arrest at a shopping centre months after the raid and has also served time for drug offences.
