Thieves plotted to kill cage fighter after museum heist

In April 2019, a gang of thieves from London was implicated in a conspiracy to murder Paul Allen, a former cage fighter who was known for his criminal past. Allen had been shot in the neck at his home in Woodford Green, northeast London, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. The three men involved, Daniel Kelly and brothers Louis and Stewart Ahearne, were found guilty of plotting to kill Allen as part of a scheme motivated by financial gain stemming from Allen's past connections to significant criminal activities. The plot included criminal elements such as the placement of a tracking device on Allen's vehicle. The trio's criminal history was marked by their involvement in a spectacular heist at the Museum of Far Eastern Art in Geneva, which occurred just a month before the murder attempt. During that heist, they managed to steal 46 ancient artifacts, including valuable Ming-era porcelain pieces. The theft was meticulously planned, with one of the stolen items intended for sale at an auction house in Hong Kong post-heist, showcasing their international criminal ambitions. Authorities had been pursuing them for nearly a decade, emphasizing the gravity and complexity of their criminal behavior. Subsequent investigations revealed incriminating evidence, including DNA traces linking the assailants to the crime scene of the shooting. These connections underscored their methodical approach to both the heist and the attempted murder plot. They had indeed positioned themselves at strategic points around Allen's residence, which further demonstrated the calculated nature of their actions. The trial at Old Bailey, London's Central Criminal Court, concluded with heavy jail sentences for all three men, underscoring the seriousness of their offenses. The sentencing of Kelly to 36 years, Louis Ahearne to 36 years, and Stewart Ahearne to 30 years followed a lengthy investigation that had all the hallmarks of a sophisticated crime thriller. Despite the serious nature of their crimes, the court also considered the context of their actions, revealing motives tied more closely to financial gain rather than pure malice. The consequences of their choices will see them behind bars for a substantial period, reflecting society's intolerance for such premeditated violence and crime.