Mastermind behind Hatton Garden heist released from prison after three years

The mastermind behind the Hatton Garden jewellery heist has been released from prison after serving half of his sentence.

Brian Reader, the oldest member of the gang behind the huge raid in London over the Easter weekend in 2015, was released from Belmarsh Prison last week, according to The Sun.

The 79-year-old was released after serving three years of his six-year and three-month sentence.

Reader was released with remission after suffering prostate cancer and a series of strokes while behind bars.

Known as ‘The Guvnor,’ career criminal Reader was the brains behind the £14m heist – which saw the men steal 70 deposit boxes.

However, Reader has not repaid the the full cost of the stolen gems and cash and had been due to spend another seven years in prison if he failed to pay the £6.5m confiscation order imposed on him and his accomplices.

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The Court of Appeal has allowed Reader to challenge an order that would see him return to jail at the end of the month when the pay back limit date expires.

The Sun reports that Reader will stay out of prison until the appeal has been settled.

Six men have been convicted and jailed for their roles in the Hatton Garden heist – believed to be the biggest in English history.

Three others were given suspended sentences for money laundering offences.