Thieves plot murder of cage fighter Paul Allen after museum heist

In July 2019, Paul Allen, a former cage fighter who became notorious for being involved in one of Britain's largest cash robberies, was shot at his home in Woodford Green, northeast London. The attack left Allen paralyzed after he was struck by two bullets. A subsequent investigation revealed that three men, Daniel Kelly and brothers Louis and Stewart Ahearne, were behind a meticulously planned conspiracy to assassinate him. Prior to the shooting, the Ahearne brothers and Kelly had committed a burglary in Switzerland, stealing valuable artifacts from a museum, which showcased their serious criminal enterprise. During the Old Bailey trial, the prosecution presented evidence indicating that the men had been tracking Allen's movements for days leading up to the attempted murder. It was disclosed that a tracking device had been placed on Allen's vehicle, which was used to monitor his location. Prosecutors emphasized the calculated actions of the accused, noting that they had put considerable effort into planning the assassination attempt. The shooting occurred on July 11, 2019, with the attackers firing six shots from a Glock 9mm handgun outside Allen's house before fleeing the scene in a getaway car. The trial highlighted the deep criminality at play, with jurors learning that the men had adjoined their criminal activities, connecting the museum heist in Switzerland with their motive to kill Allen. They were tied to the attempted murder through various pieces of evidence, including a gun sight found at one of the perpetrator’s homes. After a five-week trial, the jury ultimately found them guilty of conspiracy to murder. In reaction to their verdict, one of the Ahearne brothers shouted to the jury, emphasizing a perceived bias in the trial. It reflects the broader issues surrounding organized crime in the UK and raises questions about the serious consequences of such criminal networks. The actions of the three men not only devastated Allen's life but also highlighted the extreme measures criminals are willing to take against their targets.