Notorious bank robber Ian Steele charged with historical NAB heist after court confession
A notorious bank robber has been charged with the armed hold up of a National Australia Bank in 1986 after he confessed police had “strangely enough” failed to arrest him over it. He confessed how much was stolen in court.
NSW
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A notorious bank robber has been charged with the armed hold up of a National Australia Bank in 1986 after he confessed police had “strangely enough” failed to arrest him over it.
“I’m certain I haven’t been charged with that particular robbery. I could be wrong, but I’m certain that robbery hasn’t been included in any of the matters with the court at the moment,” Ian Steele, 58, told the NSW District Court in May this year.
Steele, also known as The Rabbit, was extradited from the United Kingdom last year and has since pleaded guilty to a raft of charges relating to nine historical armed robberies targeting banks, betting agencies and businesses across Sydney between 1982 and 1987.
In May Steele told the court he had robbed the Commonwealth Bank in July or June 1986 but police are now alleging that his memory had failed him and today charged him with the armed robbery of a National Australia Bank on Pitt Street in Sydney’s CBD.
“The amount stolen was exactly $10,000,” Steele said as he appeared via audiovisual link during a sentencing hearing.
“I mention that particular robbery because it was the last robbery committed in Australia in 1986. It was about June or July,” he said.
“I told the officer in charge but he said he was having trouble finding any record of it. I have not been charged with that particular robbery.
Steele said he had confessed to his final heist because he wanted his case to be “fully concluded as quickly as possible”.
Today NSW Police robbery and serious crime detectives went to Wellington Correctional Centre where they charged Steele with the NAB heist on May 16, 1986.
He is expected to appear via video link at Dubbo Local Court later today.
Steele has pleaded guilty to all charges against him for nine armed robberies including the armed hold-ups of the Bank of NSW in Ramsgate and Greenacre in 1982 and a heist at a Hurstville ANZ bank in which he assaulted two women.
Steele has also pleaded guilty to escaping Long Bay jail in 1986 and assaulting a prison officer before he fleeing to the UK.
He will be sentenced on July 13.