Digger used in Dome robbery sold

The digger was sold to Brian Holmes for £10,200

The digger that was used in the attempted diamond robbery at the Millennium Dome has been sold for more than £10,000.

The JCB was driven through the perimeter fence and embedded in the Dome by raiders four years ago.

The machine would normally have been worth about £4,500 but its part in an attempt to steal diamonds worth £350m has more than doubled its value.

It was sold to a Derbyshire businessman at an auction in Staffordshire.

It's been used in a particular 'job' a bit like the Great Train Robbery Brian Holmes

Brian Holmes, who is the chief executive of Parkfield Projects in Alfreton, and chairman of Hucknall Town Football Club, said it was money well spent.

"It's been used in a particular 'job' a bit like the Great Train Robbery," he said.

"I'm going to put it on display outside my little football club which is Hucknall Town in Nottinghamshire.

"It will stand there and we might even auction it off to our supporters later in the year."

Smoke bombs

The digger was sold to Mr Holmes within five minutes for £10,200.

Armed raiders bulldozed the JCB into the Dome.

Hurling smoke bombs and ammonia the gang then headed to the Money Zone and took a collection of diamonds worth £350m.

Their attempt was thwarted by 100 police officers disguised as cleaners who had been watching the gang for four months.