The Brinks Mat robbery took place on November 26, 1983, when six robbers broke into the deposit located in the Heathrow Airport. The thieves initially thought that they were going to steal three million pounds in cash. When they entered the deposit they found 10 ton gold bars worth about 26 million pounds. The gang gained access to this gold mine with the help of a guard, Anthony Black, the brother-in-law of Brian Robinson, the brain behind the robbery.
Scotland Yard quickly discovered the family ties and Black confessed he had helped the robbers by giving them the main entry key and additional information about the safety system. Robinson and the gang leader, Michael McAvoy were both sentenced to 25 years in prison for armed robbery. Black was sentenced to six years in prison but he was released after having served just three. Prior to his jail sentence, McAvoy gave the prey to an associate, John Perry who took care to melt the gold bars and shaped them for selling. Three tons of the stolen gold was never found again. It is said that all the people who are wearing gold jewelry bought from the UK are probably wearing the jewelry stolen from Brinks Mat.