Employee to face court over £26.5m bank robbery

A bank employee will today appear before magistrates in Belfast, facing charges in connection with the biggest cash theft in UK history.

Chris Ward, 24, from Poleglass in west Belfast, was charged last night in connection with the £26.5 million Northern Bank robbery.

He was arrested last Tuesday and has been in police custody for a week.

Mr Ward described in a television interview how he and his family were held hostage by a gang in their home ahead of the robbery 12 months ago.

The bank official said he was then forced to go to work with a colleague, whose home was also raided by a gang, and assist the robbers.

Mr Ward's lawyers yesterday failed to overturn in the High Court a police request for a 48-hour extension to question him.

He will appear at Laganside Magistrates Court.

A 35-year-old man arrested yesterday for questioning was released without charge.