Armed robber loses legal aid

An armed robber suing police for shooting him has lost his legal aid, it was revealed yesterday. Steve Charalambous is demanding at least pounds 250,000 for pain and distress after Flying Squad marksmen wounded him in a hold-up three years ago.

The Legal Aid Board suspended the grant in February after a public outcry, warning his solicitors that it would be withdrawn unless their explanation for its use was satisfactory.

Charalambous, 35, was jailed for five years in 1993 for an armed raid on a Post Office security van delivering pounds 250,000 in Crouch End, north London.