Crown says Michael Seed has gait like that of suspect seen on CCTV during burglary

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The Hatton Garden jewellery heist suspect known as Basil was linked to the crime by his “abnormal” walk, a court has heard.

Michael Seed, 58, is alleged to have been a key player in the 2015 burglary and is accused of disabling an alarm system at a safety deposit facility in the Hatton Garden jewellery quarter of London.

Philip Evans QC, prosecuting, told Woolwich crown court on Tuesday there was a consistency between Seed’s walk and that of the suspect captured on CCTV footage.

Seed and Danny Jones, 63, squeezed through a 25cm by 45cm hole, a replica of which was shown to jurors, to steal an estimated £13.7m in gold, money and precious stones from 73 boxes, the court heard.

Investigators who searched Seed’s home in Islington, north London, found jewellery belonging to victims of the burglary, smelting machines, electronic devices that could be used to disable alarms, and manuals on anti-surveillance, the court was told. They also found Royal Mail and BT uniforms, which the prosecution said Seed could have used to gain access to closed-off locations.

The suspect alleged to be Seed was wearing a red wig, a blue boiler suit and had his face covered while carrying a black bin bag when he walked through the main entrance of 88-90 Hatton Garden on the Thursday before Easter. He then opened a fire exit from the inside to allow other burglars to enter.

Evans said Seed was the final participant in the burglary – having had a leading role alongside Jones, John “Kenny” Collins, Terry Perkins and Brian Reader – and he was primarily responsible for the disabling of the alarm system.

In recordings of conversations which were played to the court, the other burglars can be heard referring to Basil’s frugal lifestyle and his willingness despite a lack of physical strength.

In the aftermath of the heist, the court heard, Seed met Collins, 78, twice in Shoreditch Park.

CCTV footage of the suspect has been seen by an expert chiropodist who concluded that it was consistent with someone with an “abnormal gait” and that it was consistent with Seed’s walk, Evans said.

A total of 1,015 items of jewellery, precious or semi-precious stones were found in a bedroom at Seed’s home, the majority of which were found in self-sealed bags but also in plastic containers. Some jewellery found in a wardrobe appeared to have been deconstructed in preparation for smelting.

Seed is also alleged to have taken part in a raid on the Chatila jewellery store in Bond Street, London, in which £1 worth of jewellery and £45m in cash was stolen.

The court heard that Seed, who has been unemployed since 2009, has no source of income and does not receive benefits. Since 2010, he has deposited just over £12,600 into his personal bank account.

Seed denies two charges of conspiracy to commit burglary and one charge of conspiracy to convert or transfer criminal property.

The trial continues.