Pod Insights British Scandal The Millennium Dome Heist | On Trial | 3 About this episode After months of careful planning, the gang tear through the Millennium Dome in a modified JCB - because nothing says 'subtle robbery' quite like a bright yellow digger. And when the robbers are confronted by the cops, they have one last trick up their sleeve.
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Transcript Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
0:00 Alice Levine? Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of British Scandal ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.
0:13 Alice Levine? Right, Matt, are you ready to start this meeting then?
0:16 Matt Forde? No comment.
0:18 Alice Levine? Huh? What?
0:20 Matt Forde? No comment.
0:22 Alice Levine? Okay, so should we talk about the themes in this episode? Because I think there's some really interesting stuff we could do with Act Two.
0:29 Matt Forde? You got nothing on me. No comment.
0:33 Alice Levine? Fine, I'm just going to have to assume your response on some of these agenda points then. So who's going to get the coffees for the next few weeks, Matt?
0:40 Matt Forde? No comment.
0:41 Alice Levine? Who is going to get to choose all of the scandals coming up till Christmas, Alice?
0:45 Matt Forde? No comment.
0:46 Alice Levine? And shall I release the episode that contained the vicious, in fact violent, comments that you made about Sir David Attenborough, which actually amount to hate speech?
0:53 Matt Forde? Well, comment, comment, comment, comment. I was joking. Please, don't cancel me.
0:57 Alice Levine? It's almost inciting elder abuse.
1:01 Alice Levine? 7th of November 2000, Millennium Dome, London. DCI Swinny Swinfield pulls at his silver-flecked hair in frustration as his radio crackles to life. Sir, the suspects have almost reached the vault. Swinny stares across the concourse at Ray Betson as he staggers from the smoking JCB toward the diamond, blood streaming from his nose. Swinny glances down at one of his undercover officers in an I Love London t-shirt, his grip tightening around the handle of a semi-automatic weapon tucked into a pram. Beyond him, a second officer, dressed as a cleaning caddy, removes a stun grenade from his pocket.
1:44 Alice Levine? In total, 200 undercover officers fill the concourse. But Swinny hadn't anticipated so many visitors to have made it through to this area. A group of pensioners ordering cappuccinos, Japanese tourists snapping pictures. Swinny starts to raise the talkie to his mouth as he scans the dome.
2:06 Speaker 02 Sir?
2:07 Alice Levine? Fuck's sake, who's letting these people in?
2:11 Alice Levine? The Dome's CEO's warning rings in his ears. Stop thinking like a police officer, and start thinking like a parent. Swinney knows he needs to catch Betson in the act, in the vault, diamond in hand. But he can't risk any fatalities.
2:29 Alice Levine? He's pulled back from his thoughts by the sound of glass shattering.
2:33 Speaker 02 Sir, they've got access to the diamond, repeat.
2:37 Alice Levine? Swinney jolts himself into action, starts to run in the direction of the vault, shoving through a tour group. Out of the way! But the group mill around, gawking. He feels a surge of irritation as an elderly woman barks. Ooh, is this part of it?
2:54 Matt Forde? We saw a great show at the weekend. Well, Les Mis was sold out. We went to the Dome and, oh my god, it's like a sort of immersive cop drama they're doing there. I think five people died, but it was totally worth it.
3:07 Alice Levine? Very convincing firearms, lovely attention to detail.
3:11 Matt Forde? Those Japanese tourists, I mean, they can just cry on demand.
3:15 Alice Levine? Get out of the fucking way! This area is off limits! The air is choked with smoke and the rotten egg fog of stink bombs. He clamps his hand over his mouth and makes his way towards the angular vault in the centre of the room. But as he enters, he realises in horror that it's empty. He feels a sickness form in his stomach, and he realises the diamond is gone. He turns to see three silhouettes in gas masks disappear back into the smoke. Armed police! Armed police! But the men keep running.
3:53 Speaker 02 Permission to detonate the stun grenade, sir.
3:56 Alice Levine? He stares at a mother pushing a pram. He can't remember if she's one of his officers or a tourist. Fuck! He can't let armed robbers loose in the Dome. He can't let Betson escape with the diamond. His finger pauses on the talkie, as he realises he has to make a decision.
4:16 Alice Levine? Ballistic shields and stunies, go, go, go!
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5:15 Alice Levine? From Wondery, I'm Alice Levine.
5:17 Matt Forde? And I'm Matt Ford.
5:18 Alice Levine? And this is British Scandal.
5:33 Alice Levine? So last episode, the gang had put their plan into action. They were smashing through the dome wall in their JCB. And dare I say, it was actually quite exciting. So I wanted to ask you, at any point, have you been rooting for them?
5:47 Matt Forde? Well, I'm against crime. That's my default view.
5:51 Alice Levine? Wow, curveball.
5:52 Matt Forde? But obviously, there is something quite thrilling about these capers, where you've got people trying to figure out, effectively solve the conundrum of how you could get the diamond into their hands. And there is something about them that is quite lovable. And I think in these stories, whether it's Ocean's Eleven, or some of the stories we've done in the past, like Brink's Matt and Hatton Garden and the Great Train Robbery, you can't help. But root for them a little bit, because it's so audacious, in a way you sort of want to believe that this could be possible.
6:21 Alice Levine? And I think people like to live vicariously. I mean, it's the reason that people do things like escape rooms, like you say about the problem solving, the idea that normal people could hatch this crazy plan and they could end up with a huge diamond in their hands.
6:36 Matt Forde? The slight danger is that we see these almost as victimless crimes. You go, it's a harmless bit of fun, they're just robbing a diamond company, which, you know, historically aren't necessarily the most ethical of industries. But obviously, there are people at the Dome, the people driving the Securicol vans and things like that would be absolutely terrified.
6:54 Alice Levine? And of course, there were people who had bought their tickets to the Dome, they were on their holidays to London, and suddenly they become eyewitnesses to a major moment in history. It's just unbelievable, you can't imagine it.
7:05 Matt Forde? I can imagine it a bit. I've been at some fairly momentous occasions myself. I was at Oasis's first gig back when they reunited.
7:13 Alice Levine? Well, yeah, you bought a ticket for it, so you expected it.
7:15 Matt Forde? Okay, well, I was at Wembley when the Lionesses won the Euros.
7:18 Alice Levine? Same.
7:19 Matt Forde? Okay. I was in the room when Tony Blair resigned.
7:22 Alice Levine? Okay, well, this isn't about you. This is episode three, On Trial.
7:27 Alice Levine? A few seconds later, 7th of November 2000, Millennium Dome. Swinney forces his way through the crowd, as a deafening metallic crack fills the Dome, followed by a searing flash that turns the space a blinding white. He drops to the floor, raises his hands to protect his eyes, shouts at visitors to get down on the floor. He peers desperately through the smoke, as a young officer cries. "There!" Swinney scrambles to his feet and races over, but instead of Betson, he finds a pensioner cowed on the ground. He reaches down, gently pulls him up and ushers him to safety, as a second metallic crack fills the air.
8:12 Alice Levine? "Christ, stand down, stand down!" He orders his men to pull back, when through the parting smoke, an officer beckons him over to two unconscious figures on the floor. Swinney scans their faces. "Phil Cochrane and Aldo Chirrocki, sir." Swinney grimaces. "Betson, Betson, where the fuck is Ray Betson?" He turns just in time to see a dark shape disappear round the corner.
8:41 Alice Levine? Swinney reaches into his belt for his Glock 17, runs after him, into the body zone. Hands in the air! The figure disappears around the corner, into the digestive system, a long hollow red tube that emits a low wet gurgling sound.
8:59 Matt Forde? I can't believe people didn't enjoy it.
9:02 Alice Levine? He flinches as an interactive screen flicks to life. Put your hands in the air, Ray. Swinney peers around what must be the entrance to the stomach, and freezes as he spots a figure crouched in the shadows.
9:16 Matt Forde? Is that part of it? Is he like an undigested piece of meat?
9:20 Matt Forde? You know, he's chewing gum, he'll be here for seven years.
9:24 Alice Levine? Why do we all know that? All the things we should have learnt in school. Do I know anything about the War of the Roses anymore? No, but I know that about chewing gum. And chewing your hair, because there was always that story about a girl at another school that died because she chewed her hair and it wrapped its way around her brain and choked her to death.
9:39 Matt Forde? I've never heard that story.
9:41 Alice Levine? And you're always chewing your hair. That explains it.
9:45 Alice Levine? Swinney can hear his own heartbeat as he waits. Three seconds. Four. I said, in the air!
9:56 Alice Levine? He edges forward. He can't tell if Betson is armed. He appears to be struggling to breathe. His gas mask is coiled around his neck, his jacket covered in blood. Swinney's chest is pounding as he stands over him, gun poised.
10:13 Alice Levine? Hands in the fucking air!
10:17 Alice Levine? He doesn't want to shoot, but if he can't see Betson's hands, he's got no choice. He steadies his weapon, narrows his eyes, starts to tighten his finger around the trigger. When Betson raises his face to him, his nose bloodied, his eye swollen, he lurches to one side, and in his left hand, the Millennium Star Diamond. Rear Betson, I'm arresting you on suspicion of armed robbery. Swinney feels relief wash over him as he hears his other officers scramble to join him. He clamps handcuffs around Betson's wrists, but he knows it's not over yet. And I think it's about time you tell me the whereabouts of Lee Wenham
11:03 Alice Levine? and Terry Millman.
11:12 Alice Levine? Fifteen minutes later, River Thames. Terry drums his fingers on the wheel of the speedboat and checks his watch for what feels like the millionth time. He shivers in the biting November wind, clasping his flask of tea for warmth. The pain in his stomach is unbearable, but he promised Ray he'd stay sober for this. Besides, there'll be plenty of time for celebratory drinks later, if the boys ever get here. It's been over thirty minutes since the JCB plowed through the metal gates to the dome. Come on, Ray, stop pissing about. He glances at the pier where the boat is moored, reads the sign: Greenwich Pier.
11:54 Alice Levine? His eyes narrow. An uneasy feeling washes over him. He scrambles in his pocket for the instructions Ray wrote down for him. North Greenwich Pier.
12:05 Matt Forde? Idiot. He had one job.
12:09 Alice Levine? Shit! The boys aren't here because he's waiting at the wrong bloody pier. Terry fumbles for the ignition key.
12:19 Matt Forde? I thought you meant Greenwich in New York. Ah, I'm an idiot. Yeah, when I'm on boat, it took me about a week.
12:29 Alice Levine? This is his final job, his chance to make it into the history books, set his family up for life before he kicks the bucket. And he goes and leaves Ray and the boys standing like mugs by the side of the river, holding a three-hundred-and-fifty-million-pound diamond. But as he approaches North Greenwich Pier, he sees a cluster of boats in the water. He hears the hum of a helicopter overhead. He kills the engine, cranes his neck, and tries to balance as the river's current pushes against the boat. He takes a breath, tells himself not to be paranoid. But as he starts to nudge the speedboat towards the pier, a flash of blue strobes burst into life
13:13 Alice Levine? and an ear-splitting siren fills the air. Fuck! Terry desperately tries to turn the boat around, but it swerves sharply, starts letting in water. He pulls at the throttle. Come on, come on!
13:30 Alice Levine? He slams the throttle forward. He's got no idea where he's going. He just knows he has to get out of here. But as he looks down at the knot meter, he realizes the boat is already at maximum speed. He glances over his shoulder, grimaces as he realizes the old Bill are gaining on him. Sweat pours down his neck as he turns the wheel abruptly, looks straight ahead and sees more blue lights.
13:59 Alice Levine? He takes his hands off the wheel, rubs his face, lets the boat bob uselessly in the water as resignation sets in. He's surrounded. The blare of a megaphone fills his ears.
14:13 Speaker 02 Armed police, armed police, do not move.
14:18 Alice Levine? An officer with graying brown hair draws up alongside him. Terry puts on what he hopes is an innocent expression.
14:26 Matt Forde? What's all this? I was just doing my daily speedboat trip down the Thames, officer. At full speed doing figure of eights? Yeah, it's um, it's how I fish.
14:40 Alice Levine? But then he glances across the riverbank and his heart drops as he spots Ray, handcuffed, being led into the back of the police van. You're going down for a long time, Milman.
14:58 Alice Levine? An hour later, Kent. Swinney tightens his grip on the steering wheel as he weaves through the winding country roads. His chest is thumping. He has to get to Lee Wenham at Tong Farm before he finds out that the heist was a bust. He's almost overcome with anticipation as his unmarked Mercedes glides up the farm track. He's spent months staring at grainy CCTV images of the gang coming in and out of Tong Farm.
15:28 Alice Levine? Now finally, he gets to see inside.
15:33 Alice Levine? He whispers as officers begin to pour into the farm's forecourt. Secure the area.
15:40 Alice Levine? He gently pushes the barn door open with his shoulder, peers inside. He takes in the rusted farm machinery. Two hydraulic cylinders, an old chassis. Lee must have swapped them out of the JCB still at the dome. Wenham! Swinney's voice reverberates around the aluminium structure. Sunlight filters in through a broken window. He follows the shaft of light across the floor, and he starts to realise the whole place has been swept clean. Fuck! He kicks at the door. Someone must have told Wenham he was coming. He turns to his officers, points to the main house. I want that place searched from top to bottom.
16:27 Alice Levine? Snapperjulterias fly at Swinney and his team as they barge into the hallway of the ramshackle farmhouse. Wenham!
16:36 Matt Forde? How are you going to deal with those dogs? Don't you have to take treats if you're a copper going into a scenario like this? Just take bacon and meat.
16:45 Alice Levine? And dreamies in case there are any cats.
16:47 Matt Forde? Yeah, just, oh, those cats are wild. Those famous attack cats that criminals love.
16:55 Alice Levine? Swinney rounds a corner to the living room, and as he does, he starts to hear the unmistakable sound of the Teletubbies on TV. Swinney pulls his Glock from its holster and uses the barrel to push open the door. He stares at the stunned faces of Lee's daughters and partner staring back. And behind them, glaring, face puce with rage, Lee's father, James Wenham. What the fuck is this? There's kids in the ass. Swinney refuses to be intimidated. Mr Wenham, where's your son? We both know I ain't going to tell no copper that. Swinney stares at James Wenham.
17:40 Alice Levine? He takes in his bulbous face, hatred in his eyes. He tries to imagine what it must be like to have a father like James Wenham. A father he knows Lee has spent his entire criminal career attempting and failing to emulate. An idea starts to form. He glances at a photo of the pair on the mantelpiece, arm in arm, fishing. Perhaps he doesn't need James to say a damn thing. Because right here, Swinney might just have everything, or everyone, he needs, to flush Lee Wenham out.
18:22 Alice Levine? Seconds later, Tong Farm, Kent. Lee tries to hold his breath as above him, heavy police boots pound the floorboards to his living room.
18:33 Alice Levine? Stricken, he tries to make a plan, but he can't think straight. All he knows is, he has to run. Slowly, carefully, he slinks up the concrete steps of the cellar, eyes trained on the chink of light from the kitchen above. He pushes at the door as quietly as he can,
18:56 Alice Levine? then flings himself over the back wall and lands on his hands and knees in the overgrown field beyond. A graveyard for rusting farm vehicles. He lies flat on his belly and slowly crawls along the soft, damp earth. He freezes as a flash of light catches his eye. He does a double take, straining to look up at a telegraph pole on the perimeter fence. He can't believe it. The sun is reflecting off a... a camera, pointing right at his house. Those fuckers! Lee's body goes rigid. He was right, they were being watched the whole time. And if Ray had bloody listened to him, instead of treating him like he was nuts,
19:42 Alice Levine? they wouldn't be in this goddamn mess.
19:46 Alice Levine? Lee reaches the edge of the field, where a rusting Land Rover's been haphazardly abandoned. He takes a chance, jumps into the driver's seat, and tries to hotwire the engine.
19:58 Alice Levine? Come on, come on! Lee whacks the steering wheel with frustration as the engine stammers. He tries again, and again. He hears a cry behind him. His spine tenses as an officer's hand slams against the passenger window. It's like a horror film slash Titanic, but I don't think it's that kind of hot steamy hand.
20:19 Matt Forde? Lee's gonna draw him, and then make love to him in the steam.
20:24 Alice Levine? Draw me like one of your Cockney girls.
20:28 Alice Levine? At that moment, the engine roars into life. Police officers fling themselves out of the Land Rover's path as it bounces across the field. Smoke pours from the bonnet, but Lee grits his teeth and slams on the accelerator. He plows back past the farmhouse, towards the track beyond. But the farm's entrance is blocked by squad cars. He hits reverse without slowing down. But something catches his eye. His mouth falls open. His dad is being led out of the house in handcuffs.
21:02 Alice Levine? Lee's mind whirs.
21:03 Matt Forde? But he was watching Teletubbies. It's his favourite show.
21:08 Alice Levine? His father glances anxiously around the farm outhouses, searchingly, before one of the officers pushes his head down and forces him into the police van. Lee punches the dashboard. This can't be happening. Lee slams on his brakes, swallows. Fuck! He smashes his head against the backboard. He can't leave his father. He kills the engine, and as soon as he does, the driver's door is thrown open and air rushes inside. He feels hands drag him out, guns trained on him. He winces as cold steel cuffs close around his wrists. The smug-looking officer with graying brown hair is reading him his legal rights.
21:54 Alice Levine? Anything you do say will be taken in evidence. What the fuck are you doing with my dad? He's got nothing to do with this, nothing! The officer shrugs lightly. "He owns the farm, doesn't he? His balm was used in the raid. Been trying to get your old man locked up for years, and you've set him up a treat."
22:17 Alice Levine? Lee's shoulders drop. He's led towards the police van.
22:22 Alice Levine? His dad sits inside, bent over. As Lee approaches, he looks up at him with disgust in his eyes. And in that moment, Lee knows he has to fight tooth and nail to make sure his dad doesn't get sent down for Ray Betson's mess.
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24:08 Alice Levine? November 2000, Scotland Yard. Swinney leans across the table in the interview room and smiles as he passes Ray Betson and his lawyer the final piece of evidence in his oversized file. Swinney's already announced Betson's arrest to the public. The Home Secretary is delighted, and he's finally put the Flying Squad back where they deserve. He can already see the headlines. "Flying Squad Foils Millennium Heist." Swinney points to grainy CCTV images of Betson visiting the Dome with Wenham in his camcorder, scoping out the perimeter with Terry Millman. Been watching you for months, we have.
24:51 Matt Forde? Just me, haven't I?
24:53 Alice Levine? I can't set my eyes off you.
24:56 Alice Levine? He studies Betson's face, waits for a reaction, and is frustrated when Betson just stares back blankly. So he decides to prod. Maximum sentence for violent robbery is life imprisonment, Betson. But to his surprise, a slow grin starts to form on Betson's face.
25:16 Alice Levine? Swinney looks at Betson in confusion. Mr. Betson, I can guarantee you that violent robbery... But now Betson's lawyer cuts in. The charges my client's been arrested on are inaccurate. Swinney turns to Betson's lawyer. He wasn't armed, so he cannot be sentenced for violent robbery. I hardly think... But now Swinney cuts in. He was caught red-handed inside the Diamond Vault. I hardly think, DCI Swinfield, that smoke and stink bombs amount to violent robbery. It was a simple attempt at theft. Swinney stares at her in disbelief. He starts to feel his blood boil, is forced to watch as Ray innocently lifts his palms in the air,
26:00 Alice Levine? as if he's done nothing more than tried to steal a few penny sweets.
26:05 Alice Levine? You actually intend to challenge the charges? You were caught ram-raiding the Dome. Swinney starts to splutter, but now it's Ray who leans forward. I'm led to believe, DCI Swinfield, that theft isn't such a harsh sentence. Maximum seven years, innit?
26:27 Alice Levine? Swinney clenches his fists. With a third off for pleading guilty.
26:31 Matt Forde? Plus the £0.50 off that at the moment. And it's the Blue Cross sale. I'll only do it for a night.
26:37 Alice Levine? Swinney tries to regain some composure. He adjusts his jacket. This is ridiculous. But Betson's face has cracked into a sneer. And there's one more thing. Swinney starts to fidget in his chair. You might not want the tape recorder on for this one, DCI. Swinney stares at him. It's the little matter of the man you haven't caught yet. He sees a flash in Ray's eyes. Or to be more precise, the inside man
27:10 Alice Levine? is one of your lot. Swinney stares at Betson, reeling. A police officer.
27:19 Matt Forde? A police officer's done something wrong in Britain. Come on, Ray. Pull the other one, mate.
27:24 Alice Levine? Are you suggesting a police officer? He watches horrified as Ray again raises his hands in mock innocence. I'm just a puppet, DCI Swinfield. A small-time thief.
27:39 Alice Levine? Swinney slams his hands on the table. Because he knows that if what Betson is saying is true, it won't just mean a more lenient sentence for him. If a police officer really is involved, it could undermine the entire case. The entire flying squad.
27:57 Alice Levine? Swinney has to find out if Betson is telling the truth. And he thinks he knows where to start.
28:10 Alice Levine? The next day, 9th of November 2000, Kent. PC Michael Waring bundles his kids into the hall, gathering up book bags and lunchboxes as he goes. Come on, socks on. We're gonna be late.
28:25 Matt Forde? So Michael is Ray Betson's brother-in-law, who is also a copper stationed at the Dome?
28:30 Alice Levine? Yes, conveniently, yes. You will recall, they have family barbecues together. Ray hates him. That's all you need to know, really. He glances anxiously at his watch. He's already the PC whose brother-in-law robbed the Millennium Dome. He can't afford to be late to work as well. Come on, hurry up. He catches his reflection in the hall mirror. His thinning unkempt hair. The milk flecks on his black tie. The dark circles under his eyes. Demoted from detective to PC at the start of the year. Michael already felt like he was holding on to his job by his fingertips. Now Ray has just made everything 10 times worse. He's reaching out to unlock the door when he hears a brisk knock.
29:15 Alice Levine? He freezes. He can't bear the thought of more journalists asking awkward questions. He wonders if he can snake out the back when another more agitated knock taps the glass window.
29:27 Matt Forde? Jehovah's Witnesses.
29:29 Alice Levine? Persistent.
29:31 Alice Levine? He shouts. "I'm just getting the kids to school." His stomach drops as he hears a man shout through the door. "I'm DCI Swinfield of the Flying Squad.
29:43 Matt Forde? You're gonna wanna hear this." "Jesus is your Lord and Savior."
29:50 Alice Levine? He opens the door to a dour-looking man. He watches as he produces his ID badge and pushes past him into the living room. Casually picks up a family portrait off the mantelpiece.
30:03 Alice Levine? "All those years of service." "Sorry?" Swinfield shrugs lightly. "We've had allegations, Mr. Waring. Serious allegations. From Ray Betson." Michael feels like his legs might give way. He clutches the wall for support. "According to him, you gave him inside information. Told him about security. Arranged for the general public to be kept out the way." Michael feels his neck redden. He can't tell if Swinfield is bluffing, but he can't take the risk. "That's ridiculous.
30:42 Alice Levine? He offered me 250K at a family barbecue in exchange for information, but I turned it down, I swear."
30:50 Matt Forde? "I mean, I had a couple of sausages and the potato salad, but surely that doesn't count."
30:56 Alice Levine? "How do I know that's true?"
30:59 Alice Levine? "Because I told my superiors about it as soon as it happened. Look."
31:06 Alice Levine? Michael blusters over to his desktop computer and turns it on. It slowly rumbles into life.
31:13 Matt Forde? They took so long to warm up. They're not like laptops you've got now. There's a huge tower that would get red hot, a huge screen, a dial-up modem. There's no wifi. This was all done through your telephone line.
31:25 Alice Levine? I'm imagining him trying to get this evidence. It's like, "Mum, you're on the line. Stop chatting to Susan. I've got a show on, I'm innocent. I know my time's between six and seven, but can I trade you?"
31:42 Alice Levine? Michael's voice is high pitched as he gestures desperately to an email sent several months ago. Swinfield's expression has changed. Right, well, I, uh, wasn't informed. Typical flying squad. "Oh, I've always been loyal to the Met." He sees Swinfield bristle, then snap back. Then prove it. You what? Tell the court what you told me. Testify against Ray Betson.
32:14 Alice Levine? Michael shakes his head. He thinks of his wife, her sister Susan, Ray's partner, about what they'd say if he stood up in court against Ray.
32:25 Alice Levine? That crook didn't think twice about throwing you under the bus. Don't you want to do the same? It's not that simple. Ray's a dangerous man. He knows people, knows where we live, where my kids go to school. Swinfield shrugs.
32:43 Alice Levine? You won't have to worry about that. He won't be able to touch you.
32:48 Alice Levine? Michael takes a deep breath.
32:51 Alice Levine? Ray's lies could have cost him his career, his freedom. So he makes a decision. He's going to do whatever he can to help the police put Ray Betson away for good.
33:11 Alice Levine? December 2000, Belmarsh Prison, South London.
33:16 Alice Levine? Lee steps through the heavy steel doors and the noise hits him like a wave.
33:26 Alice Levine? Hans claps his back as he's escorted forward by the guard, prisoners grinning, shouting his name. He feels a pulse of heat crawl up his neck, a mixture of pride and unease in his gut. He fixes his eyes on the corridor as it stretches ahead, fluorescent lights flickering as he's ushered into his cell. But his stomach starts to turn when he takes in the lumpy prison mattress, the damp patch in the ceiling. His dad is already on the bottom bunk in a fitful sleep.
33:56 Matt Forde? They put him in with his dad?
33:58 Alice Levine? Even though they're on trial for the same crime, do you feel like it's a good idea?
34:03 Matt Forde? Well, you have to allow criminals to collude, otherwise where's the fun? Like, you can't keep them separate because then the trial's gonna be no good.
34:09 Alice Levine? What are they gonna do, pass notes in the lunch queue? Put them in the same cell, streamline the whole process?
34:15 Matt Forde? Let them be locked up together for 22 hours a day so they can thoroughly work out what lies they're gonna tell in the dock? And then it's up to the police and the state to unpick that. That's what justice is.
34:27 Alice Levine? Surely. He grimaces. His dad's weight has plummeted since his arrest. He knows he won't make it through a long prison sentence. Lee has to get them both out. Lee, mate! A voice cuts through his thoughts. Lee is shocked to see Ray stood in the middle of his cell, grinning back at him. Good to see ya. I mean, fuck me. Quite a reception, eh?
34:55 Alice Levine? Ray's dazzling white smile is more than Lee can deal with. He gets up, fists clenched, and pins his former boss against the wall. This is all your fucking fault. I told you we were being watched, I told you! And now I'm banged up and they're going after my dad! He lowers his voice as he hisses at Ray. If he goes down, it'll kill him, I know it.
35:19 Alice Levine? Mate, I'm sorry about your old man. He shouldn't have got caught up in this, obviously. But me and my brief, we've got a plan. I've had enough of you and your bloody plans. I'm telling ya, if we plead not guilty, we're just gonna get a couple of years, max. And I've got a secret weapon. Lee stares at Ray, incredulous. He can't believe he let himself get taken in by this bloke. He's deluded. How can you even stand here and say that? When your own family's turning against ya.
35:56 Alice Levine? Eh?
35:58 Alice Levine? Lee sees Ray's face fall. He doesn't know. Ain't you heard? Police have got to your brother-in-law. He's gonna grass on you in court. Ray's shoulders sink. He looks shorter somehow. Lee leans in close to fire his parting shot. You need to sort him out before he brings us all down. Because if you don't, I ain't gonna hesitate about pinning all of this on you.
36:33 Alice Levine? Nine months later, 8th of November 2001, Old Bailey, London. Ray keeps his head down as he shoulder barges his way through the scrum of reporters. He raises his arm as cameras are thrust in his face. Ray, over here. How are you feeling about today? Pleading not guilty, that takes some balls, Ray. Ray tries to block out their questions as he's led up the stone steps and into the courtroom. His eyes fall immediately on Michael. Ray's jaw clenches. His face looks even more punchable than usual. Whatever that idiot says about him today, Ray decides he's going to make him pay.
37:15 Alice Levine? Half an hour later, Ray steps up to the witness box. He tries to make his voice sound slow, considered, as he faces down his first question from the prosecuting barrister, Martin Heslop QC. Is it really your claim, Mr. Betson, that the police officer, Mr. Michael Waring, is lying when he said you offered him £250,000 for information?
37:44 Alice Levine? Ray draws himself to his full height. Must say, I was surprised by Michael's testimony. Because it's actually the other way around. PC Michael Waring came up with this whole thing. He hears gasps ripple across the courtroom. Sees Heslop stare at him in disbelief. You're saying Mr. Waring, Mr. Waring came to you?
38:10 Alice Levine? Yeah. He came to me. Imma school friend. Ray searches his head for a name.
38:19 Alice Levine? Tony. Yeah. Imma Tony had a plan. To steal the Millennium Diamond. Because of his inside knowledge. He knew the security was crap. And he asked if I wanted in. Heslop steps towards him. Fixes him with a look. Ray swallows, but holds his gaze. Describe to me this Tony.
38:43 Matt Forde? Just a bloke, really. Um, had, hang on, two arms. Two legs, head, face, bit of a wrong'un, wore a leather jacket.
38:53 Alice Levine? Blonde, dirty blonde, I mean, that's really light brown, I mean, like, mousy, it's no colour, really.
38:58 Matt Forde? One of those faces, it's actually quite hard to describe, if you know what I mean.
39:02 Alice Levine? Tanned, not tanned per se, but, you know, lower arms probably from, you know, wearing a t-shirt, he wouldn't notice it if he didn't know.
39:08 Matt Forde? He tanned on these holidays. We'll shake on that.
39:14 Alice Levine? Ray's top lip starts to sweat. He tries to think on his feet. Racking his brain for someone, anyone. The image of former football hard man, Vinnie Jones, comes into his head. He was about six foot. Blue eyes. Shortish hair. Like a modern haircut, you know, where they have sort of like gel, blue eyes, broad shoulders.
39:42 Matt Forde? Football boots, shin pads, full Wimbledon kit.
39:47 Alice Levine? I actually think we did a better job as a joke. So, if your little story, not a story, it's a truth, in which this Tony and the well-thought-of police officer with a clean criminal record decided to steal a diamond, Ray deftly hits back. He'd been demoted, had a grudge against the Met. They was making him work this crap job at the Dome. He was angry, wanted to stick one to him. Ray jabs an accusing finger in Michael Waring's direction. How do you think we even knew about the goddamn diamond? The vault, the glass, ease the brains behind the whole thing.
40:30 Alice Levine? Ray meets Michael's eyes and resists the urge to smile. No one crosses Ray Betson and gets away with it.
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41:16 Alice Levine? Hey, what's up, guys? It's Haley Bailey. Okay, I need to tell you about something. I just got YouTube Premium. It's got tons of awesome features like offline downloads, so I can download my favorite videos before I travel and watch them whenever I don't have Wi-Fi. Because we all know-
41:28 Speaker 02 Airplane Wi-Fi is the worst. I get ad-free, I get background play, and there's like a ton more in there. You should try it. If you like YouTube, you'll love YouTube Premium. So try YouTube Premium for two months free at youtube.com/premium. Trial eligibility varies. Terms apply. Cancel anytime. That's a mouthful. By 1779, Benedict Arnold had sacrificed more for the revolution than almost any other man in America. One of George Washington's most effective commanders, he had nearly lost a leg in the Second Battle of Saratoga. But in return, Arnold believed he had been humiliated by Congress and cheated of his glory by lesser men, so he decided to make them pay. Hi, I'm Lindsey Graham, the host of the podcast American Scandal.
42:10 Speaker 02 We bring to life some of the biggest controversies in US history: presidential lies, environmental disasters, corporate fraud. In our latest series, Benedict Arnold turns his back on his comrades in the Continental Army and secretly defects to the British. With the help of his wife, he plots to hand over the most important colonial fortress to the enemy and doom the revolution he once served. Follow American Scandal wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes of American Scandal early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.
42:53 Alice Levine? February 2002, Old Bailey, London. DCI Swinfield turns up his collar as he hurries through the rain-sodden streets of central London. He can't believe this case is still alive three months after it started. Some of the press even seem to be buying Betson's absurd story that it was his brother-in-law behind it all. He glances at one of the latest headlines. Ray Betson, fall guy in family heist? But today is his turn on the witness stand. His chance to convince the jury beyond any reasonable doubt that Betson and the gang are guilty, not just of attempted theft, but of violent robbery.
43:36 Alice Levine? Swinfield smooths his side parting and cracks a smile as he climbs the steps of the courthouse. Reporters flock towards him. Do you really think Betson was the man behind this all?
43:48 Alice Levine? Others murmur in agreement. We're proud to bring these dangerous robbers to justice. Dangerous is a bit much. Swinney grits his teeth and pushes his way inside. He's taking a seat near the back as the defendants are ushered into the dock. Suddenly, he hears laughter ripple around the courtroom. He strains his neck to see Betson wink at one of the female jurors.
44:13 Matt Forde? What is going on? Is he trying to seduce the juror? I mean, it's one way, but you'd have to seduce all 12.
44:21 Alice Levine? Panic rises in Swinney's chest. He can feel Betson and his crew winning the jury around. By the time Swinfield's name is called, sweat is beading on the back of his neck, and his legs feel weak as he approaches the stand. He clears his throat, hoping no one can hear the tremor in his voice.
44:42 Alice Levine? The Flying Squad, under Operation Magician, conducted meticulous surveillance of Raymond Betson and his associates for two and a half months. He stares at the jury. There is no doubt in my mind that Betson is the ringleader of this atrocious robbery.
44:59 Matt Forde? No matter how fit you think he is, I've seen a couple of you flirting with him. Your mum would be horrified if you brought him home.
45:06 Alice Levine? You know who you are, front row left.
45:09 Alice Levine? Swinney hears a cry from the gallery, but continues. And believe me, it was a violent robbery. The gang drove a JCB at high speeds through the dome, used a nail gun, at a time when visitors were in attendance in broad daylight. One woman described that JCB as like a tank in a war film.
45:30 Matt Forde? This is becoming product placement for JCB. It's like an advert.
45:35 Alice Levine? It's funny you say that because JCB saw the opportunity too, and they did release an advert. And it was a picture of the JCB in the dome, surrounded by police tape. And the slogan was, "At last, something in the dome that's worth seeing."
45:49 Matt Forde? It's funny, but it's not as if you can go, "You know what, I'm going to buy a JCB." They're only selling to a select group of people, anyway.
45:57 Alice Levine? Does it translate into sales? It's a hell of a gag. Swinney presses on. "Others saw their gas masks and thought they were terrorists coming to destroy the dome. Many of these people remain traumatised." He dares a glance over at the dock, sees Betson shooting him daggers. "These men are not geezers or lovable rogues. They deserve nobody's glorification. They are ruthless and dangerous criminals with no care for anybody." He's done all he can. Now, he just has to wait.
46:34 Matt Forde? He's spot on here, Swinfield, because the police have been watching these guys for a long time, and they have been involved in multiple crimes that did involve real guns. Shots were fired, so it's all fine them now, saying, "Oh, well, in this case, we only used stuff from a joke shop." These are people with a history of using real weapons, and he's right to try and get them off the streets.
46:54 Alice Levine? Absolutely, and of course, you can go in well-intentioned and say, you know, "Nobody's going to get hurt, that's not part of this plan." But there will always be things that don't go the way that you expect them to. Is there somebody in there who's going to have a heart attack? How are people going to feel when they have even a fake gun put in their face?
47:11 Matt Forde? Yeah, and at the time, you don't know it's a fake gun. So, when you're traumatised with PTSD for years, you don't go, "Oh, silly me, because I should have realised it was a toy gun at the time, and those awful nightmares that have ruined my marriage are all my fault."
47:26 Alice Levine? Psych, it was a joke!
47:28 Matt Forde? You guys!
47:32 Alice Levine? Swinney shifts anxiously in his chair as the jury file back into the courtroom. It's taken 35 long hours of deliberations, but finally, they have a verdict. He reaches out to grip the chair in front of him as the elderly judge asks... "On the charge of conspiracy to commit robbery, how do you find the defendants?" Swinney holds his breath. Across the courtroom, he sees Betson shoot his partner a reassuring smile. The foreperson of the jury rises to her feet, pauses.
48:07 Matt Forde? "Guilty." Then winks at him.
48:09 Alice Levine? (laughs) But fit. Across the courtroom, Ray Betson howls. "You're having a fu-" Fucking law! So when he is flooded with relief as Ray Betson is sentenced to 18 years in prison. He's put his career and the Flying Squad's future on the line to foil one of the most audacious plots in British history. And as he catches Betson's eye, he knows his gamble has paid off.
48:48 Alice Levine? An hour later, Belmarsh Prison, South London. Lee picks up a plastic chair and hurls it across the visiting room.
48:58 Alice Levine? 18 years is a fucking joke. They're trying to make examples of us. This is my life.
49:03 Matt Forde? Lee, come on, mate. You tried to rob the second most expensive diamond in the world. What did you expect?
49:10 Alice Levine? Okay, everyone's been really negative and been like, oh, it's illegal. Would it kill you to give us a bit of positive feedback? Because actually, we put a lot of work into that. All I'm hearing is like, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad. He feels the hand of a prison guard on his shoulder. Last chance, win 'em.
49:28 Alice Levine? Lee allows himself to be lowered back into his seat. He glances to his left, where his dad sits silently, hands on his lap, shoulders hunched. His grey prison tracksuit hangs loose over his spindly frame. He looks half-dead already. His defence counsel breaks the silence. Well, what do you think? Of what? The lawyer fixes an exasperated smile. The case against your father is weak. We may be able to arrange some kind of deal, get him released, if you plead guilty. Lee's dad explodes. He ain't gonna do it. Do that.
50:11 Alice Levine? Lee turns, surprised by the strength in his dad's voice. Play guilty to conspiracy to rob, when they didn't use any weapons. Let's ask Lee what he thinks, shall we? Lee feels their eyes on him. His mind is racing. He knows his dad's right. He'd be consigning himself to a long stretch. He wouldn't even get to tell his side of the story. But if this goes to trial, his dad could die behind bars.
50:47 Alice Levine? A few hours later, Lee walks purposefully through the cell block. His head's been a mess since the meeting with his lawyer. His dad won't even entertain the idea of a deal. Lee needs someone to talk to, who can help him straighten out his thoughts. Ray is lying on his back, reading a car magazine.
51:08 Alice Levine? A kid's drawing of a family in bright coloured crayon has been sellotaped to the wall by his bed.
51:14 Alice Levine? Looking at him now, his jaw traced with stubble, his face pale and drawn, Lee feels some of his anger dissipate. If anything, he feels sorry for the guy. It wasn't meant to end like this.
51:28 Alice Levine? Ray looks up at him in surprise. What can I do for you, mate?
51:34 Alice Levine? The whole thing starts pouring out of Lee's mouth. The deal, his dad's health. Ray nods, thoughtful. Sounds like you already know what you're gonna do.
51:45 Alice Levine? Lee shakes his head. It ain't that simple. My dad told me not to even think about it.
51:53 Alice Levine? You'd be standing up for yourself, doing what you think is right. If you was my lad, I'd respect it.
52:02 Alice Levine? Marching back into his own cell, Lee walks straight up to his dad's bunk, looks him in the eye. "I'm taking the deal. I'm pleading guilty."
52:14 Alice Levine? James Wenham opens his mouth, but Lee shuts him down. "This is my mess, and it's up to me to take what's coming for me."
52:23 Alice Levine? Lee's dad lowers himself off his bunk. For a moment, Lee thinks he might punch him. Instead, he throws his arms around him. "Thanks, son."
52:35 Alice Levine? Lee manages a smile. He's failed to pull off the biggest robbery in British history. And now, he has to pay the price. But at least, he's finally made his dad proud.
53:03 Alice Levine? After the heist, it was revealed that the Millennium Star Diamond had actually been replaced with a convincing replica, just in case the police's sting operation went wrong. It was rumored to have been sold to an anonymous buyer in 2006. After serving four and a half years in jail, Lee Wenham became a landscape gardener, and for many years, lived under the radar. In 2025, he released a book about his experiences, Diamond Gangster, and featured in the Guy Ritchie Netflix documentary, The Diamond Heist. Ray Betson attempted to appeal his sentence on the basis that the elderly judge fell asleep and snored during the trial. This was rejected.
53:46 Alice Levine? Just months after his release in 2012, Betson attempted to steal a million pounds from a Loomis cash depot in Kent. The robbery failed, however, when he knocked down the wrong wall with a digger. He was sent straight back to prison.
54:14 Alice Levine? From Wondry and Samus. Audio, this is the third episode in our series, The Millennium Dome Heist. And trust me, you don't want to miss the fourth. We'll all be sitting down with the ideas man at the centre of this extraordinary story, Lee Wenham himself.
54:30 Matt Forde? I feel a little bit bad. Is it wrong for me to be so excited about this?
54:33 Alice Levine? If it's wrong, Matt, I don't want to be right. I am dying to know more about his character. How the hell do you get mixed up in the biggest diamond heist this country has ever seen?
54:42 Matt Forde? And also, what happened next? Because we know he pleaded guilty, but what was prison like for him?
54:47 Alice Levine? And perhaps most importantly, how the hell did he get the idea to refashion a meat pie into an improvised explosive device?
54:53 Matt Forde? That's right. We will be asking the hard-hitting questions. But back to this episode, a quick note about our dialogue. In most cases, we can't know exactly what was said, but all our dramatizations are based on historical research.
55:05 Alice Levine? If you'd like to know more about this story, you can read Diamond Geasers by Chris Hollington, Diamond Gangster by Lee Wenham, or Dome Raiders by John Shatford and William Doyle. And you can watch The Heist at the Millennium Dome from the BBC, or Diamond Heist on Netflix.
55:21 Matt Forde? Please keep your scandal suggestions coming. We're getting all sorts of weird, wacky and wonderful ideas. BritishScandal at wondry.com. A huge thank you to everyone who's already sent them in.
55:30 Alice Levine? Yes, thank you. British Scandal is hosted by me, Alice Levine.
55:34 Matt Forde? And me, Matt Ford.
55:35 Alice Levine? Written by Lydia Marchant. Additional writing by Alice Levine and Matt Ford. Our story editor is James Maniac. Sound design by Louis Blathwick. Our engineer is Jai Williams. For Samus. That, our producer is Redsey Bernard. Our assistant producer is Louise Mason. Our senior producers are Joe Sykes and Dasha Lisitzina. Executive producers for Wondry are Theodora Leludis, Estelle Doyle and Marshall Louie.
56:15 Alice Levine? Hey, I'm Cassie DePecce, the host of Against the Odds from Audible Originals. In each episode, we share thrilling true stories of survival, putting you in the shoes of the people who lived to tell the tale. In our latest series, we track the story of Hugh Glass, the real-life revenant that inspired the 2015 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio. In 1823, Glass was brutally mauled by a grizzly bear in present-day South Dakota and left for dead. His survival depended on trekking through 350 miles of wilderness alone with grave injuries. But he was driven by his thirst for revenge. Follow Against the Odds wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can binge all episodes of Against the Odds early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.
57:00 Alice Levine? Ghosts aren't real. At least, that's what journalist Tristan Redmond always believed. Sure, odd things happened in his childhood bedroom, but ultimately, he shrugged them off. Until he discovered that he wasn't alone, that everyone who lived thereafter him also had bizarre experiences they couldn't explain. And it gets even weirder. It just so happens that his wife's great-grandmother was murdered in the house next door. Is this ghost somehow connected to her murder? He decides to go where no son-in-law should, digging up a cold case and asking questions that nobody wants answered. Like, could his wife's great-grandfather have gotten away with the perfect crime? This is a podcast about family secrets, overwhelming coincidence, and the things that come back
57:44 Alice Levine? to haunt us. For the best bingeable series like Ghost Story, listen to the Audible True Crime Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Audible subscribers can get all episodes early and ad-free right now. Join Audible in the Audible app or by subscribing on Apple Podcasts.
Previous The Millennium Dome Heist | Cops and Robbers | 2 Next The Millennium Dome Heist | Lee Wenham on Robberies, Prison and Leaving Crime | 4 Page updated November 1, 2026 · transcript and summary are machine-generated