Three men have been sentenced to a combined total of 99 years in prison for plotting to murder Paul Allen, a former cage fighter who was involved in Britain’s largest cash robbery. The sentencing took place at the Old Bailey on April 25, 2025, following a trial that revealed the shocking details of the attack that left Allen paralyzed from the chest down.
Paul Allen, 46, was shot twice in the kitchen of his home in Woodford, east London, on July 11, 2019. Allen was a member of the notorious gang that stole £54 million from the Securitas cash depot in Tonbridge, Kent, in 2006, a heist that remains one of the biggest in British history. After serving 18 years in prison for his role in the robbery, Allen had been living with his partner and three young children when the attack occurred.
Brothers Louis Ahearne, 36, and Stewart Ahearne, 46, along with Daniel Kelly, 46, were found guilty of conspiracy to murder Allen. They received sentences of 33 years, 30 years, and 36 years respectively. The attack was described by Detective Superintendent Matt Webb as resembling something out of a "Hollywood blockbuster," but emphasized that it was the work of "hardened organized criminals."
During the trial, the jury heard that the attack was meticulously planned. The assailants used a rented car to conduct surveillance on Allen’s home and even fitted a tracking device to his vehicle to monitor his movements. At around 11:09 PM on the night of the shooting, six shots were fired at Allen as he stood in his kitchen, with at least two bullets striking him in the neck and hand.
The police investigation was bolstered by the discovery of a muddy, rusted iPad in the River Thames, which had been used to track Allen. This piece of evidence proved critical in linking the suspects to the crime. Bullet casings found near the scene matched a Glock handgun that was later found to have connections to Kelly.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC stated, "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. The culpability of each one of you is very high. The harm caused to the victim was very serious – indeed, short of killing him it could hardly be more serious. He is currently paralyzed and relies on others for every single need."
Interestingly, the trio’s criminal activities did not end with the murder plot. Just a day before the shooting, Kelly and Louis Ahearne had used the same rented car to carry out a burglary in Kent, posing as police officers to gain access to a gated community. Furthermore, in June 2019, the group had stolen nearly £2.8 million worth of Ming dynasty antiques from the Museum of Far Eastern Arts in Geneva.
The Ahearne brothers were extradited to Switzerland, where they were convicted of the museum burglary in January 2024 before being brought back to the UK to face trial for the attempted murder of Allen. Kelly is also wanted in Japan for his involvement in a robbery of a Tokyo jewelry store in 2015.
The court heard that Allen had been living in a large detached house in Woodford Green after his release from prison, having moved from south London. He had been attempting to rebuild his life with his family when the assassination attempt occurred.
Prosecutors described Allen as a "sophisticated" career criminal, and while the motive behind the murder plot was not explicitly stated, it was implied that financial gain was a significant factor. The judge noted that the attackers had "very nearly succeeded" in their attempt to kill Allen.
As the sentencing concluded, the severity of the crime resonated throughout the courtroom. Detective Superintendent Webb reiterated the nature of the crime, stating, "This attack may look like the plot to a Hollywood blockbuster but the reality is something quite different. This was horrific criminality."
The case has raised questions about the ongoing issues surrounding organized crime in the UK, especially in relation to high-profile criminals like Allen. His past as a member of one of the most notorious criminal gangs in British history adds a layer of complexity to the case, as it intertwines with the lives of those who sought revenge or financial gain through violence.
In the aftermath of the trial, the public remains curious about the underlying motivations for such brutal actions and the extent to which criminal networks influence individuals' lives. The case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which some will go in pursuit of wealth, even at the cost of human life.
As the three men begin their lengthy prison sentences, the story of Paul Allen continues to unfold, leaving many to wonder what the future holds for a man who once played a role in one of the biggest heists in UK history and now finds himself a victim of violent crime.
