Cage fighter jailed for Securitas heist

LONDON (Reuters) - A cage fighter who helped plan Britain's biggest cash heist, the 53 million pound robbery of a Securitas depot, was jailed for 18 years on Monday.

Paul Allen, 31, pleaded guilty last week to playing a part in the 2006 hold-up in Tonbridge, Kent.

He admitted three charges of conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to rob, and conspiracy to possess firearms as a re-trial was due to begin at Woolwich Crown Court, the Press Association reported.

His admission came on the basis that he was neither one of the robbers who entered the depot nor one of the kidnappers of depot manager Colin Dixon and his family.

Allen fled to Morocco with fellow cage fighter and best friend Lee Murray, believed to be the heist's mastermind, after the robbery.

The pair splashed out on sumptuous villas and expensive jewellery, while thousands of pounds were also spent on plastic surgery for their wives and girlfriends.

But the men's spending spree, which included buying cocaine and gambling in casinos ended after just four months when they were arrested by Moroccan police.

Allen spent 20 months in a Rabat jail before being extradited while Murray, whose father was Moroccan, has claimed Moroccan nationality.

Authorities in the north African country turned down an extradition request, although he remains behind bars.