London Court Reduces Millennium Dome Raiders’ Sentences

Two men convicted of plotting what would have been the UK's biggest gem heist have had their 18-year jail sentences reduced. They were convicted of conspiracy to rob after trying to steal £200m of diamonds from the Millennium Dome.

Judge Michael Coombe admitted falling asleep during the trial and the men's lawyers told the Court of Appeal that he might have missed vital evidence. On Thursday their sentences were reduced to 15 years and a third man's 15-year term was reduced to 12 years.

But while their 18-year jail sentences have been reduced, Raymond Betson and William Cockran were both refused permission on Wednesday to appeal against their conviction. The pair had claimed they should have faced a lesser charge of conspiracy to steal.

A third man did not challenge his conviction, but wanted his 15-year sentence reduced.

In November 2000 the men were part of a group who used a mechanical digger to smash their way into where the De Beers diamond exhibit vault was housed in the Millennium Dome.

But the police had received a tip off and more then 100 armed officers were waiting for them.

The men were convicted at the Old Bailey in February 2002 and sentenced by the then 70-year-old Judge Coombe. He admitted falling asleep during the defense lawyer's speech, but denied snoring.

Lord Justice Rose said that although it was "highly regrettable" the judge had fallen asleep, the court was not persuaded that any defendant had been unfairly prejudiced.