Author of book on armed robbery ‘stole thousands’

A crime writer who wrote a book called The Art Of Armed Robbery, was a member of a gang which stole thousands of pounds during attacks on security guards delivering cash to hole-in-the-wall machines, a court heard yesterday.

Terry Smith, aged 49, of Canvey Island, Essex, together with his brother Len, aged 50, of Dagenham, Essex, and Brian Wall, aged 61, also of Dagenham, conspired to commit seven robberies in London and Essex between 2006 and 2008, prosecutors told jurors at Chelmsford Crown Court.

During one raid, at Rayleigh, Essex, in May 2007, computer worker Adam Mapleson, then 24, was shot in the chest by Wall when he went to the aid of a female security guard, said prosecutor Patricia Lynch QC.