‘BASIL’ IN THE DOCK
Jeweller held after Hatton raid swoop
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A MAN said to be the “missing member” of the Hatton Garden gang has appeared in court after jewels and gold were found at his home.
Lewis Seed, 57, was picked up by Flying Squad officers in an early morning raid, London’s Westminster magistrates were told yesterday.
They discovered jewellery, precious stones and gold ingots, said Philip Stott, prosecuting.
During the trial of nine men nicknamed “The Diamond Wheezers” over the £13.7million robbery, jurors heard that a team member known as “Basil” had not yet been brought to justice.
Mr Stott said: “The charges relate to the burglary of the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit company over Easter weekend in 2015. Seed was arrested and inside that address was a large number of items of jewellery, precious stones and golden ingots.
“It’s an amount consistent with him having been involved in the burglary.
“There are covert audio recordings of others involved describing the role of others in the team who refer to him by the pseudonym Basil.”
James Reilly, defending, said: “He works as a jeweller – he fashions jewellery. He had no knowledge or belief of involvement with the burglary.”
Seed, from Islington, north London, is charged with conspiracy to burgle and one count of conspiracy to conceal or disguise criminal property.
He spoke only to confirm his name and address, and was remanded in custody to Woolwich Crown Court on April 26.