Accused pleads to Securitas jury

Paul Allen denies charges of conspiracy to rob, kidnap and possess firearms

A man accused of taking part in the £53m Securitas robbery had to be stopped by an Old Bailey judge as he pleaded with a jury.

Paul Allen denies conspiring with his "best friend" Lee Murray and seven other men to rob the depot in Tonbridge, Kent, in February 2006.

Cagefighter Mr Murray is currently in a Moroccan jail.

Mr Allen, 30, and Michael Demetris, 32, of Bromley, London, deny conspiracy to rob, kidnap, and possess firearms.

'Life in prison'

Under cross examination by Sir John Nutting QC, Mr Allen said: "Where's the evidence that I done this robbery?

"Look at the other guys. It's overwhelming evidence [against them]."

He then turned to the jury, and said: "I can't take no more. Do I really deserve 25 years or the rest of my life in prison for buying a car or a camera? That is what you have got to ask yourselves, members of the jury."

Mr Justice Penry-Davey urged him to refrain from making direct speeches to the jury.

The trial heard that Mr Allen bought a miniature camera and a car, both of which were used in the conspiracy, but he denies knowing their true purpose.

'Huffing and puffing'

Earlier Sir John asked about mobile phone evidence which allegedly placed him at the same location as the other conspirators.

Mr Allen said: "I didn't always have that mobile. Sometimes Lee had it."

"You haven't told us that before," said Sir John.

I was never ever at this house. I never ever went there. I'm not a monster, members of the jury Paul Allen

"Well I am now," said Mr Allen. "All I know is that I didn't do this. That is why I am huffing and puffing and holding my head because I didn't do this."

Sir John then asked him about his presence at the flat of make-up artist Michelle Hogg in the weeks before the robbery.

Sir John said: "Common sense indicates that Lee Murray would have prevented anyone who was not party to the conspiracy being at that address where the disguises were being prepared."

Mr Allen replied: "That is what you suggest but I had nothing to do with this robbery."

Sir John asked about mobile phone evidence which suggested he was with Mr Murray in a road near the Securitas depot in January 2006.

Mr Allen said he had no idea why he was in Tonbridge that night, but it was not do with the robbery.

Held captive

Sir John also asked him about mobile phone evidence which placed him near to the home of depot manager Colin Dixon in Herne Bay a few weeks before the robbery.

Mr Dixon, his wife and child were later abducted and held captive during the robbery.

Mr Allen said: "I was never ever at this house. I never ever went there. I'm not a monster, members of the jury. You are saying I was at a house where a woman and child was kidnapped. I have never been there."

Five people were jailed earlier this year for their part in the robbery.

The trial continues.