Author of 'The Art of Armed Robbery' being tried for robberies

London, February 25 (ANI): A British crime writer, who authored a book called 'The Art of Armed Robbery', is being tried for allegedly planning a series of armed attacks on security guards while money was delivered to cash machines.

Terry Smith, 49, has been charged with planning seven robberies in Essex and London.

He allegedly worked on his plans with his older brother Len Smith, 50, and friend Brian Wall, 61.

The trio is said to have made more than 154,000 pounds through robberies, say reports.

Chelmsford Crown Court, before the trial is being held, was told that a passer-by was shot in the chest and almost killed, when he tried to intervene in one of the raids.

In another alleged attack, a security guard had a gun held to his head and two shots fired at his feet in Becton, East London, as he delivered cash to an ATM.

"These three defendants are professional armed robbers, they earn a living from it," the Telegraph quoted prosecutor Patricia Lynch QC as saying.

"Mr Terry Smith has written a book called The Art of Armed Robberies and has previous convictions for armed robberies," the prosecutor added.

The prosecutor also told the court that Wall's and Len Smith's DNA was found on items of clothing and getaway cars linked to robberies between 2006 and 2008.

The three accused deny charges of conspiring to rob or to possess firearms with intent to rob.

Wall also denies attempting a murder, robbery, and possession of a firearm with intent to rob. (ANI)