Three men have been jailed for a total of 99 years for plotting to murder Paul Allen, a notorious figure in Britain’s criminal underworld who was previously convicted for his role in the country’s largest cash robbery. The sentencing took place on April 25, 2025, at the Old Bailey, where Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC delivered a stern message about the severity of the crime committed against Allen, who was left paralyzed after a violent attack at his home in 2019.
Allen, then 41, was shot at his home in Woodford Green, north-east London, on July 11, 2019. The attack was meticulously planned, involving surveillance and the use of a GPS tracker on his car. On that fateful night, six shots were fired through the back doors and windows of his spacious residence, striking him in the neck as he stood in the kitchen. The gunfire not only inflicted severe physical harm but left Allen reliant on others for his daily needs, permanently altering his life.
The conspirators—brothers Louis Ahearne, 36, and Stewart Ahearne, 46, alongside Daniel Kelly, 46—were found guilty of the attempted murder. During the trial, it was revealed that their motivations were rooted in financial gain, as the judge noted, "I have no doubt that this agreement to murder Paul Allen involved other people apart from the three of you and that you three were motivated by a promise of financial gain." Kelly received a 36-year sentence with an additional five years on extended license, while Louis Ahearne was sentenced to 33 years and Stewart Ahearne to 30 years.
The court heard that the attack stemmed from Allen's past as a "sophisticated" career criminal. He was previously convicted in 2009 for his part in the infamous Securitas robbery in Kent, where £54 million was stolen, much of which remains unrecovered. This notorious heist involved a gang of armed men who kidnapped the depot manager and his family, forcing him to assist in the robbery. Allen's criminal history made him a target for retribution, and the Ahearne brothers and Kelly were willing to take drastic measures against him.
Prosecutors detailed how the defendants had conducted thorough surveillance of Allen's movements and had even fitted a tracking device to his car. This level of planning indicated a premeditated intent to kill. The attack was described as a near-success, with the judge emphasizing the high culpability of the defendants. "The harm caused to the victim was very serious—indeed short of killing him it could hardly be more serious," Judge Whitehouse stated.
In a shocking twist, it was revealed that the trio had been involved in a high-value burglary of Ming dynasty antiques from the Museum of Far Eastern Art in Geneva just a month before the murder plot. On June 1, 2019, they stole three priceless artifacts, including a 15th-century bottle decorated with pomegranates and a "chicken cup," with a combined insurance value of approximately £2.76 million. After the theft, they attempted to sell one of the artifacts, a phoenix bowl, at an auction house in Hong Kong.
On October 16, 2020, Stewart Ahearne was arrested at a London hotel while trying to sell a Ming vase to an undercover police officer. Following their arrest, both Ahearne brothers were extradited from Switzerland to face trial. The police investigation linked them to the attempted murder through DNA evidence found at the crime scene.
Detective Superintendent Matt Webb of the Metropolitan Police described the three men as "hardened organized criminals" who executed their plans in a "well-planned and orchestrated manner." He remarked, "This attack may look like the plot to a Hollywood blockbuster but the reality is something quite different. This was horrific criminality." Webb expressed hope that the lengthy sentences would provide the defendants an opportunity to reflect on their actions and their impact on society.
Paul Allen’s story serves as a stark reminder of the violent lengths to which individuals may go within the criminal underworld, particularly when past grievances come back to haunt them. As the legal proceedings concluded, the case highlighted the ongoing issues of gang violence and retribution in the UK, raising questions about the safety and rehabilitation of former criminals.
As for Allen, his life has been irrevocably changed. Once a prominent figure in the criminal world, he now faces a daily struggle with the consequences of that night in July 2019. The ramifications of his past actions and the violent response from his would-be assassins illustrate the cyclical nature of crime and punishment, leaving many to wonder if true rehabilitation is ever possible.
With the sentences handed down, the legal chapter of this dramatic saga has closed, but the impact on Allen and the broader community remains a poignant reminder of the dangers lurking within a life of crime.
