Palmer’s run-ins with the law

1983 The Brink’s-mat robbery takes place in which £26 million in gold is stolen,

1985 He flees to Tenerife.

1987 Palmer acquitted of melting down Brink’s-mat gold.

2001 Palmer is convicted of the biggest ever timeshare fraud and is jailed for eight years.

2007 He is remanded in a Spanish jail after being accused of taking part in a multi-million pound fraud.

2009 Released on bail, but is charged with offences including fraud, firearms possession and money laundering.

2015 Palmer is found dead in the garden of his Essex home.