Greenwich: An armed policeman who helped foil the robbery of the millennium has been accused of smashing a raider's cheekbone with the butt of his gun.

Sergeant Daniel Tiller was one of the officers who burst into the vault, housing the £200m De Beers diamond collection.

Barrister Oliver Blunt, QC, suggested William Cockran, of Penberth Road, Catford, was struck by the officer's gun.

Sgt Tiller explained how he jabbed Cockran with his foot after he refused to show his hands. He demonstrated how the gun would have been too close to his chest to have hit anyone in the face.

"I did not hit him. We're not in the business of assaulting people for no reason."

Colleague Sgt Mark Adams said he had no idea how the injury was sustained.

Cockran, Ciarocchi, aged 31, of Balaclava Road, Rotherhithe, Robert Adams, aged 57 and Raymond Betson, aged 39, both of no fixed address, have admitted conspiracy to steal but deny conspiracy to rob.

Kevin Meredith, aged 34, of Aukland Drive, Brighton, and Wayne Taylor, aged 35, of Colliers Street, Tonbridge, claim they were not involved and deny conspiracy to rob. The trial continues.

November 27, 2001 11:31