Graff jewellery robbery trial jury retires

The jury in the trial of seven men accused of taking part in a £40m jewellery heist in central London has retired to consider its verdict.

The men deny conspiring to rob the Graff store in Mayfair on 6 August 2009.

Robbers using professional make-up to disguise themselves forced employees to hand over jewellery which has not been recovered, the jury heard.

The court was told a staff member was held hostage and bullets were fired.

Another two defendants, Benjamine McFarlane, 22, of Paveley Street, Marylebone, north-west London; and Gregory Jones, 30, of Elgin Avenue, Maida Vale, west London, were cleared in May after judge Jeffrey Pegden QC ruled they had no case to answer.