Kenneth Littlejohn

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Kenneth Littlejohn (aka Kenneth Austen; Charles Durverne) - born c1941, from Torquay, is a convicted armed robber and gaol-breaker who claimed to be an MI6/Official IRA double Agent. The Littlejohn affair concerned allegations of British espionage in the Republic of Ireland during the Troubles.

Contents 1 Beginnings 2 The British Government and the Official IRA 3 Bank Robbery and Trial 4 References

[edit] Beginnings

Littlejohn had been dishonourably discharged from the paratroopers. He served three years for robbery before being released from prison in 1968 from which time he worked as a car dealer.^[1]

In 1970 the Midland Motor Cylinder Company in Smethwick, Birmingham was robbed of £38,000. The wages clerk, Brian Perks, claimed to have been overpowered by an Indian man who then took the money. Perks was Littlejohn's brother-in-law and the police suspected a staged incident involving the two men.^[2]

Littlejohn claims he went on the run, first to London, where he made contact with a police officer who showed him his arrest warrant and advised him to move to Dublin. In December 1970, in Dublin, he set up a company, Whizz Kids (Ireland) Ltd. He moved to Cahirciveen seeking a potential development site for a factory. As a flash potential investor who bought drinks for all in the local pubs, he became well known and popular in the area. In Kerry Littlejohn claimed he was shown a Kalashnikov supposedly smuggled in by Russian sailors. Littlejohn turned down several potential development sites and left unpaid debts when he returned to Dublin.^[3]

[edit] The British Government and the Official IRA

Lady Onslow was an aristocratic divorcee who occupied part of her time with the ex Borstal organisation ‘’Teamwork Associates’’ in London. Littlejohn’s brother, Keith, had spent time in Borstal and was known to Lady Onslow through the organisation. Lady Onslow was made aware of information in Kenneth’s possession and contacted her friend, Lord Carrington. On 22 Nov 1971 a meeting was arranged at Onslow’s London Flat between Kenneth and British minister Geoffrey Johnson Smith. ^[4] It was at this time that the official Wanted status in respect of the Smethwick robbery was downgraded to Desired to Interview.^[5]

The Littlejohn brothers moved to the Rostrevor estate near Newry in early 1972 and began frequenting pubs in Newry and across the border in Dundalk where they moved in Republican circles. The Official IRA would later state that, while the brothers were known to them, they were never members. The Times claimed that, in fact, they did join the Officials but were dismissed in August 1972 when suspected of robberies in Newry for their own personal gain.

On 18 September 1972 Edmund Woolsey, 32, was killed by booby trap attached to his car. ^[6] Two of his friends were injured. The car had been stolen a week earlier. The police informed Woolsey that the car had been found abandoned ^[7] at Glassdrumman, near Crossmaglen, County Armagh.^[6] The bomb exploded as they went to retrieve their vehicle. While not a member of the Officials, Woolsey was known to the Littlejohns and socialised in similar circles. The Official IRA decided that Woolsey had been lured to his death by the army who had set up the booby trap based on information supplied by the Littlejohns^[7]

[edit] Bank Robbery and Trial

In October 1972 the Allied Irish Banks branch in Grafton Street, Dublin was robbed of £67,000; at the time the largest haul in Ireland. ^[8] Three men had turned up at the home of the manager, who was the driven to the bank while his family was held hostage. A further three gang members locked the staff in the vault before escaping with the money. The Ulster Volunteer Force was initially reported as responsible following comments made by the robbers ^[9]

Kenneth and Keith were arrested in London the next week after the issue of an extradition warrant from Dublin. Following an instruction from the Attorney General, the extradition proceedings were held in camera on the grounds of national security. ^{[4] [10]}

At the extradition proceedings the brothers tried but failed to prevent a prosecution by the Special Criminal Court under the Offences against the State Acts 1939 ^[11]. The Irish Attorney General had given assurances that they would not be charged with political offences under the Act. ^[12] In Irish law there was no mechanism for a non political case, such as robbery, to be held in camera. Thus they were tried in open court despite the British Government lobbying of the Irish Government.^{[citation needed]}

Kenneth was jailed for 20 years and Keith received 15 years.

In March 1974 they both escaped from Mountjoy Prison. Toothpaste had been used to cover up saw marks in the cream coloured bars of the cell window. Having escaped the wing the brothers got over the wall using planks being used for building work. ^[13] Keith was soon apprehended but Kenneth evaded capture for 9 months.

The brothers were released early in 1981 on condition they leave Ireland. ^[14]

The following year Nottingham Crown Court jailed Kenneth for six years for his part in a £1,300 ^[15] armed robbery at the Old Manor House, North Wingfield, Chesterfield, England. Keith was cleared of a similar offence. ^[16]

[edit] References