A man shot at a house owned by comic Russell Kane has been named locally as Paul Allen, a cage fighter convicted for his part in planning Britain’s biggest cash robbery.
He was in a critical condition in hospital last night.
A witness claimed 41-year-old Allen was shot in the throat during the incident, in which the attacker was said to have appeared at the back of the property in a car at around 11pm last Thursday, before firing at the home six times.
Armed officers , along with medics, were called to the scene in Woodford Green, north-east London.
Scotland Yard said a man in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Allen was jailed for 18 years for his role in the £53million heist at the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent, in February 2006.
The witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “The gunman had driven to the back of his house and gone through the garden.
“The back of his house is just a big window, so you can see inside clearly. Whoever it was then shot six times into the window.
“I saw him taken out on a stretcher. He was covered in blood. The aramedics said he had been shot in the neck.”
The man added that neighbours did not feel under threat, saying: “It was definitely a targeted attack.”
Yesterday, police were still at the scene. The house is understood to be rented out by Kane, who lives in Manchester.
His spokeswoman said: “Russell’s thoughts are with the victim and his family at this terrible time.
“No further comments will be made while the incident is being investigated by the police.”
