G4S driver admits stealing nearly £1MILLION from his van

A G4S driver has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly one million pounds from his armoured security van, as police scramble to find the money he took.

Joel March, 36, of Clapham, south west London, pleaded guilty to one count of theft from an employer at Camberwell Magistrates Court today and will remain in custody before sentencing next month.

The father-of-three was seen parking his branded blue van on a quiet street in Clapham just before 9am on Tuesday. 

He was seen going back and forth to the van several times before abandoning it and disappearing around 9.40am.



Neighbours became suspicious when they noticed the security vehicle was parked the wrong way round on double yellow lines.

Police did not arrive until hours later, despite calls to G4s, when they eventually traced March to a house in nearby Brixton where they found him with £60,000 and a new pair of shoes and clothes, the court was told. The other £910,000 reported missing has not been found.

G4S have since launched a probe after experts branded the incident a 'catastrophic security blunder'.

His charge in court today read: 'On April 23, 2019 at Larkhall Rise SW8 stole money to the value of £970,000 belonging to G4S.' 

Prosecuting, Amanda McCabe told the hearing: 'G4S did not record the van [abandoned] until eight hours later. He left behind his body armour, phone and other items in the van.

'He was eventually followed to an address in Brixton and arrested. Police seized £60,000 and some amount of clothing and footwear at the address. The rest remains outstanding.

'He gave an account complaining about G4S and his mental health. There are potentially others involved in this case. We believe enquiries are on going,' the Evening Standard reported. 

Defending, Bruce Reid said March did not apply for bail ahead of sentencing.

The court was told the blue G4S van was abandoned at 8.57am on Tuesday in Larkhill Rise, Clapham. 





MailOnline