A MECHANIC who helped plot the £200m De Beers diamond raid on the Dome has been jailed for nine years.

Lee Wenham, 33, of Ploughman's Way, Gillingham, modified the JCB used by the gang and carried out reconnaissance missions to the Greenwich attraction.

He also modified vehicles for a failed armed raid on a Securicor van carrying nearly £9m, in Aylesford, Kent, during which the raiders threatened to blow up the vehicle.

Defending Anthony Arlidge QC, said Wenham, who had a low IQ of 70, was paid £100 a day to work on the vehicles. He would not get a share of the loot.

Wenham admitted conspiring to rob the Securicor van and conspiracy to steal the Millennium diamonds.

His father James Wenham, 59, of Collier Street, Tonbridge, had faced similar charges, but the case against him was dropped.

Five others were sentenced to a total of 71 years, for their part in the Dome raid, earlier this month.

See page 8 for a special report on the raid.