Shivangi Sinha
When Lee Wenham began orchestrating the plans for the Millennium Dome heist of November 2000, he carefully assembled a team of individuals. Each was selected for their specific skills and criminal expertise. The group included Bob Adams, William Cockram, Aldo Ciarrocchi, Terry Millman, and Kevin Meredith. Each member played a distinct role, contributing to various stages of the elaborate plan. Netflix’s ‘The Diamond Heist’ offers a comprehensive timeline of the attempted robbery, outlining the responsibilities each of them took on and the consequences they faced once the operation was foiled.
Millennium Diamond Robbers Had a Pre-Defined Role For Everyone
Lee Wenham shared that when Ray Betson approached him with the bold idea to steal the Millennium Star Diamond from the exhibition at the Millennium Dome, he immediately realized he couldn’t pull it off alone. Understanding the complexity of the operation, he set out to assemble a team with complementary skills. Robert “Bob” Adams was brought in for his mechanical know-how. William Cockram, with a lengthy criminal past including charges of assault and drug trafficking, was recruited for his physical strength and street-hardened grit. Aldo Ciarrocchi, the youngest of the group, was more tech-savvy and didn’t have as extensive a criminal history. His knowledge of technology was seen as a valuable asset.
Terry Millman was known for having the longest and most extensive criminal career among the group. He was a seasoned player whose experience made him a valuable addition. To complete their setup, they needed someone to handle their escape. That’s where Kevin Meredith came in. He agreed to assist as the getaway man, waiting on the River Thames in a speedboat, ready to whisk them away after the job was done. The police first caught wind of the group after an incident involving a man who crashed his vehicle outside a pub in Kent. When authorities ran his fingerprints, they found a match to prints taken at the scene of a previous robbery. He was none other than Terry. The police felt that the same group might be planning another heist, and this triggered a deeper investigation and led them straight to Tong Farm.
This is where the group had been gathering to finalize their plan. Surveillance and tracking helped authorities gradually identify each member of the team, allowing them to monitor preparations and ultimately set up an operation that would catch them in the act. On November 7, 2000, the plan was set into motion. Adams, Cockram, and Aldo climbed into a JCB digger driven by Ray and smashed their way into the Millennium Dome. Aldo threw smoke bombs to create a diversion, while Cockram used a nail gun in an attempt to break through the reinforced glass protecting the diamond. Meanwhile, Kevin waited nearby in a speedboat, ready for the getaway, and Terry stood by in a van across the river to assist with the escape. However, armed officers were already in position and swiftly moved in, catching the team in the act. The entire crew was arrested before they could lay a hand on the diamond.
The Millennium Diamond Robbers Were Found Guilty of Their Crime
Bob Adams stood trial alongside the others in November 2001. While police couldn’t present extensive evidence about the exact extent of his involvement, he was nonetheless convicted of conspiracy to rob and received a 15-year prison sentence. Reports later confirmed that Adams passed away while still serving his time. William Cockram also faced charges of conspiracy to rob. In his defense, he argued that the group had never intended to use violence and, therefore, should be convicted of the lesser charge of conspiracy to steal. He explained that the nail gun he brought was solely intended to break through the reinforced glass, not to harm anyone.
Despite his claims, he was found guilty and sentenced to 18 years in prison. However, he later appealed the sentence, and it was reduced to 15 years. Aldo Ciarrocchi was also found guilty of conspiracy to rob and received a 15-year prison sentence. He was incarcerated at Belmarsh Prison in London, England, and was reportedly placed in the high-risk category. At the time of his arrest, he was in a relationship with Elisabeth Kirsch. By February 2002, Aldo had proposed, and the two were engaged. However, it remains unclear whether they ever went through with the marriage. In 2004, his sentence was reduced to 12 years.
Terry Millman, on the other hand, never made it to trial. He passed away in July 2001 after battling stomach cancer. At the time of his death, like the rest of his accomplices, he had been out on bail. Kevin Meredith faced the lesser charge of conspiracy to steal rather than to rob and was sentenced to five years in prison. After his release on parole in February 2013, he was reportedly working as a decorator and had expressed a desire to start a fishing trip business. Since serving their sentences, all surviving members of the group have maintained relatively low profiles, choosing to stay out of the public eye.
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