The trial of a Canberra man accused of organising the violent robbery of an armoured security van outside the Mawson Club more than 10 years ago began in the ACT Supreme Court on Tuesday.
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Ian John Will, 56, is accused of organising the time, place and people involved in commission of the crime with inside information from a Chubb security guard.
Mark Anthony Munro, 55, with Sam John Melkie, 57, stole $150,000 in cash from three armoured security van guards in May 2004.
Munro shot security guard Kevin Matangi with a sawn-off shotgun at close range, spraying pellets across his face, arm, abdomen and chest.
Both men served time in jail for the crime, with Melkie since released on parole.
The Crown's case is that Will and his brother David Allen Will, 60, met Graeme Pagden, to gather information about robbing a security van.
Mr Pagden, a Chubb security guard, once played football with David. He met Ian separately later in life, and they played competitive pool on the same team.
Crown Prosecutor Kylie Weston-Scheuber said that during the meeting, Mr Pagden shared details of how Chubb operated its security vans.
Ms Weston-Scheuber said Will paid Mr Pagden $15,000 for the information.
The defence will argue that Will was not involved. "The defence case is simply Ian Will had absolutely nothing to do with that robbery," Will's barrister Philip Strickland told the jury.
He asked the jury to assess the reliability and honesty of Mr Pagden.
Mr Pagden was a man who had received money for helping his employer and colleagues be robbed, during which one was shot, Mr Strickland said, and he was the only one connected with the crime who was never charged.
Mr Pagden gave evidence at the trial on Tuesday.
Under questioning by Ms Weston-Scheuber, Mr Pagden said during meetings with both Will brothers he shared information about his Chubb operations.
He said he told them the Mawson Club was a good target and that Monday was a good day since the club would still have the weekend's takings in cash. He also told them how many security guards worked on the van, their roles and how much money they could expect to collect from the club.
- Were they both there when you provided this information?
-Yes.
- Did you make any money in return for providing information?
- I did.
- Who gave it to you?
- Ian.
Kevin Matangi, the guard who was shot during the robbery, also gave evidence about what happened on the day of the robbery and his role.
"How many times did you work with Graeme Pagden?" Mr Strickland asked him.
It was difficult to say, Mr Matangi said, but agreed it was "many times".
"He was a close work colleague," Mr Strickland offered, and Mr Matangi agreed.
"Has Graeme Pagden ever apologised to you?"
"No."
The trial continues before Justice Richard Refshauge.
