In May 1990, an ordinary Wednesday morning turned into a high-stakes event for bank courier John Goddard in the City of London. While carrying his briefcase as usual, Goddard was unexpectedly confronted at knifepoint and robbed of 301 City bonds valued at £292 million, equivalent to a staggering £850 million in today’s currency.
Despite a thorough investigation by the City of London Police, the trail of the mugger quickly went cold, marking it as Britain’s largest heist dubbed “the biggest heist you’ve never heard of.” The intricate criminal scheme behind the robbery, involving the New York mafia, the IRA, and Colombian drug lords, remains shrouded in mystery.
The only individual convicted in connection to the heist was Keith Cheeseman, sentenced to six-and-a-half years for conspiring to launder the stolen bonds. While authorities claim to have recovered all but two of the bonds, Cheeseman revealed in an exclusive interview that the actual value of the stolen bonds was significantly higher, totaling around £427 million. This suggests an additional £135 million was unreported and remains unrecovered.
Cheeseman, known as ‘The Big Cheese,’ reminisces about his criminal past, attributing his descent into crime to financial setbacks in his building business. He led a lavish lifestyle, mingling with notorious figures like the US mafia and Pablo Escobar, but he claims ignorance regarding the mastermind behind the heist.
Former armed robber Marvin Herbert and South London gangster Jimmy Tippett also share their recollections of the infamous robbery, shedding light on the mysterious characters and events surrounding the unprecedented crime. Despite the passage of time, questions linger about the untold secrets and hidden fortunes linked to the daring heist.
A documentary series, “Heist: Robbing the Bank of England,” delves into the intricate web of deceit and betrayal that defined this audacious theft. Premiering on Crime+Investigation, the series promises to unveil the untold truths behind one of the most daring heists in British history.
