Raymond Betson

Millennium Dome raider convicted of conspiracy to rob after driving the JCB used to smash into the Dome during the failed 2000 diamond heist.

Editorial standard

Convictions, acquittals, charges and contextual links are kept distinct. Relationship labels state the legal or factual basis of the connection.

Background

Betson was one of the principal members of the gang that planned to steal the Millennium Star and rare blue diamonds from the De Beers display.

Role in the case

During the raid he drove the JCB earthmover used to break through the Dome’s perimeter.

Evidence / operation

More than one hundred armed police officers were waiting as the gang entered the site.

Legal outcome

In 2002 Betson was convicted of conspiracy to rob and initially sentenced to eighteen years; the Court of Appeal later reduced the term to fifteen years.

Graph role

His profile anchors the vehicle-breach element of the Millennium Dome robbery graph.

Network links

– Millennium Dome diamond raid — participant; convicted – Millennium Dome, Greenwich — raid location

Direct people links

– William Cockram — co-convicted raider – Robert Adams — co-convicted raider – Aldo Ciarrocchi — co-convicted raider – Kevin Meredith — co-defendant; convicted of conspiracy to steal

Sources

– The Guardian. Five jailed for dome raid (2002-02-18). https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/feb/18/dome – The Guardian. Profile: the dome raiders (2002-02-18). https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/feb/18/dome.simonjeffery – The Guardian. Dome raiders have sentences cut (2004-01-22). https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/jan/22/dome