AN INNOCENT man became embroiled in Britain’s biggest ever cash robbery by unwittingly carrying out favours for one of the actual conspirators, it was claimed at the Old Baily.

Alexander Cameron QC, told a jury on Monday that John Fowler, of Elderden Farm, Staplehurst, near Maidstone, knew nothing of plans to kidnap cash depot manager Colin Dixon and his family, and subsequently rob the Securitas depot in Tonbridge in February 2006.

While he had undeniably hired a Renault lorry used in the robbery, and allowed a van used in the kidnapping to be parked at his farm, he had only done so at the request of co-defendant Stuart Royle, the jury heard.

Mr Cameron said it was ridiculous to suggest he would have knowingly hired a lorry to be used in a robbery under his own name, and accused the prosecution of creating a “parallel universe” in which John Fowler was a guilty party.

Mr Cameron said: “What you should not do is decide what inference you’re going to draw and then interpret the evidence to match it.

“That’s what the prosecution have done with John Fowler. He played no part in what’s been called the planning of this conspiracy.”

He explained how Fowler had been travelling back from France the Sunday before the £53 million robbery, which had in fact been the original date earmarked for executing the robbery by the conspirators.

On the night of the raid he had gone about his business as usual before going to bed.

He added: “Mr Fowler is 62, a car dealer... I would ask you to treat him as a man of good character. He's a family man, a man of substance with just a year or two to go before he enjoys his retirement.”

Mr Cameron implored the jury not to hold Fowler’s decision not to give evidence against him.

He added: “The trial process permits a defendant not to give evidence in the same way the investigation process permits a defendant not to answer questions.

“You know what his case is and it’s up to the Crown to disprove it.”

The case continues.