The Hatton Garden heist suspect said to be the mysterious ‘Basil the Ghost’ has pleaded not guilty to involvement in the multi-million pound raid.
Prosecutors say Michael Seed, 57, is the missing man who went on the run while other gang members were rounded up and put on trial over the infamous break-in.
Up to £25million worth of gold, cash and gems was taken from 73 boxes at Hatton Garden Safe Deposit in London’s diamond district after an industrial drill was used to bore a hole into the vault wall.
Michael Seed is accused of being the missing Hatton Garden gang member known as ‘Basil’. He is pictured, left, in a court sketch from an earlier hearing. Right: CCTV of the night
The gang bored through a concrete wall beneath London’s diamond quarter to steal gems worth up to £25million
Seed was arrested in an early-morning raid on his flat in Islington, north London, earlier this year.
Prosecutors allege items of jewellery, precious stones and gold ingots found at his home were stolen in the 2015 Easter weekend burglary.
Seed, who has told the court he is a jeweler, is charged with conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to convert or transfer criminal property.
Appearing by video link at Woolwich Crown Court, from Wandsworth prison where he is being held on remand, Seed, wearing glasses and a red T-shirt, entered not guilty pleas to both charges.
A trial, expected to last three weeks, is listed for September 24.
Six men have been convicted and jailed for their roles in the raid, one of the biggest in British history.
Three other people were handed suspended sentences for money-laundering offences.
Seed was arrested at a flat in this unremarkable housing block in Islington in February
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