Former UFC UK fighter “Lightning” Lee Murray sentenced to 10 years in Jail for £53 Million Heist

“Lightning” Lee Murray was one of the UFC’s first UK fighters to find success in the Octagon defeating Jorge Rivera by submission (Triangle-Armbar) back in 2004, but unfortunately was unable to stay out of trouble long enough to enjoy the current explosion of popularity of the sport in England today.

In 2006 Murray was responsible for the biggest heist in the history of England, robbing over 53 million pounds along with several other accomplishes and holding a Securitas facilities manager and his family hostage in order to gain access to the facility. Murray was wanted in England, but fled to Morocco where he used his Father’s citizenship to his advantage to duck extradition.

While Murray evaded the long arm of the law along with the 140 years his co-conspirators were sentenced to for four years, but according to a new report from the BBC News was sentenced earlier today to 10 years in a Moroccan prison.

While UK officials fought hard to extradite Murray, the government deemed him Moroccan where due to his father’s birth in the country. According to Moroccan law any person born with Moroccan descent is automatically deemed to be a citizen of the country, therefor he was safe from being extradited from the country.

Dept Supt Mick Judge commented on Murray’s sentencing earlier today and was pleased with the amount of time he would serve because of his part in the robbery. “I’m pleased Murray will now begin serving a significant prison sentence for his part in the Tonbridge robbery.”

Judge also went on to remind observers that there were other victims besides the bank during this crime, including the facilities manager and his family. “We must not forget the traumatic experience the Dixons and the Securitas employees went through that night in 2006 – held at gunpoint and fearing for their lives.”

Murray is perhaps best known for his back alley brawl in England when the UFC came into the country for the first time in 2002 and got into a fight with then light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz. In Matt Hughes autobiography Murray was said to have hit Ortiz several times in the face with a combo and dropping him after ducking a Ortiz swing, then punting his head like a Football.

Murray last fought UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva at “King of the Cage 8″, losing by decision in a spirited effort in front of his countrymen in the UK.


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