Michael Seed - the man who became known as 'Basil' - has been jailed for 10 years for his role in the Hatton Garden safe deposit raid.

The 58-year electronics expert, was found guilty of conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to hide the proceeds of the £14 million heist following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

Referred to by his fellow raiders by the nickname 'Basil', Seed is believed to have let himself in to the building in London's diamond district using a set of keys before disabling the security system.

He was then one of two men who climbed into the vault through a hold drilled in the wall to loot 73 safe deposit boxes.

Sentencing Seed, Judge Christopher Kinch QC said: "Your role was a central one. You were at the heart of the core activities that had to be carried out.

"You were not just there to fetch and carry. In my judgement this must rank among the worst offences of its type."