A cage fighter from Chatham has been jailed for 18 years for his part in Britain’s biggest cash robbery.

Paul Allen, 31, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to possess a firearm.

More than £50m was taken in the robbery in February 2006.

Allen pleaded guilty on the basis that he was not at the depot on the day of the robbery or part of the gang which kidnapped the Securitas employees and the Dixon family.

Commenting on the verdict, Senior Investigating Officer Det Ch Insp Mick Judge said: “Allen played a pivotal role in this robbery and his part was crucial to the robbery in February 2006.

“The robbery was violent and those involved in the organising of the robbery and the robbers themselves had no regard for the safety of others when they entered the depot taking £53m.

“The Dixons, their young child and the Securitas employees went through a horrific night back in 2006 and many continue to suffer following their horrendous experience.”

Five men were sentenced in January 2008 for their part in the robbery bringing the total number of years imprisonment to 158 years.

Paul Allen of Huntersfield Close, Chatham, was arrested on June 26, 2006, in Rabat, Morocco in respect of domestic offences.

These criminal proceedings had to be concluded before extradition could take place.

Allen was extradited back to this country in 2008.

Kent Police's Chief Constable Michael Fuller said: “When I launched this investigation I made it clear that we would go anywhere in the world to find those responsible for this violent crime. We have done that and I'm pleased those perpetrators have been brought to justice.

“Allen's guilty plea means an end to this part of the proceedings in this country. It does not mean an end to the investigation and by no means an end to recovering the outstanding money or assets obtained through the proceeds of this robbery.

“The victims of this crime still live with the memories of what the robbers put them through. I'm pleased that by entering a guilty plea, they do not have to recount their horrific ordeal once again. It is also testimony to the hard work of my officers for the thousands of hours put into the investigation of this crime and our work with the Crown Prosecution Service to bring the offenders to justice.”

The robbers kidnapped manager of the depot Colin Dixon and his family in order to gain access to the Securitas depot in Tonbridge on the night of Tuesday 21 February in 2006.

Held at gunpoint the Dixons, and 14 other Securitas employees, were forced to cooperate with the robbers whilst they loaded £53m, in old and new notes, from the depot into a 7.5 tonne lorry. The men forcibly locked the Dixons and the employees into money cages before escaping in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Immediately a team from Kent Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit launched a full scale investigation that quickly uncovered the gang's involvement.

A team of 100 police officers and support staff were assigned to the inquiry and within two weeks vehicles and equipment used in the robbery had been recovered along with over £21m in cash and a number of people had been charged and remanded in custody.

On sentencing, Judge Mr Justice Penry-Davey commended those involved in the investigation.