Clifford Hobbs, 47, escaped from a prison van on his way to a court appearance and cost the taxpayer millions while detectives spent the next four years tracking him down to Spain. Hobbs, from Bermondsey, had only stood to serve two or three years in prison for the original crime after getting caught red-handed trying to steal £1million from a cash-intransit van. But the villain, dubbed "arrogant" by the judge, would not do the time and plotted a "sophisticated" escape in which a security guard was shot on June 10, 2003.
The court heard how Hobbs and fellow escapee Noel Cunningham, 43, banged on the door of the van while it was travelling from Brixton prison to Inner London Crown Court. The lags were signalling to a team of hijackers who tracked the van to the court then sprang a violent attack on driver Neil Chetty.
Hobbs was convicted of having a firearm with intent to escape from lawful custody.
The jury failed to reach a verdict on a second charge of wounding with intent and were discharged.
Hobbs had already admitted conspiracy to steal and escape from lawful custody. Cunningham remains on the run.
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