THREE Merseyside men were remanded in custody charged with conspiring to commit robbery at the home of one of Northern Ireland’s richest men.
Craig Murray, Stephen Barlow and Richard Blundell faced the charges yesterday at Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast.
After being remanded, their case was adjourned to June 6.
They were initially arrested on the Malone Road in Belfast by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Branch.
The ECHO has been informed the arrests and charges all relate to an alleged plot to raid the exclusive south Belfast home of multi- millionaire businessman Michael Herbert, the owner of Europe's largest Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise.
Mr Herbert, who appeared in the Sunday Times Rich List at the weekend, is estimated to be worth £171m – up £11m on last year.
Craig Murray, 30, of Victoria Road Crosby, was charged with conspiracy to falsely imprison, going equipped to burgle, being armed with an offensive weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Richard Blundell, 49, of Bardsay Road, Walton, was charged with the same offences while Stephen Barlow, 47, of Hewitson Road, Tuebrook, was charged with conspiracy to falsely imprison, conspiracy to commit robbery, going equipped to burgle, being armed with offensive weapon with intent and obstructing the police.
Mr Herbert is the managing director of Herbel Restaurants, which runs Europe's largest chain of Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets, with more than 70 outlets in the British Isles and Isle of Man.
The company also owns a thriving Häagen-Dazs franchise.
The Ferrari-driving businessman started his KFC franchise with one outlet and today Herbel employs more than 800 people.
Mr Herbert owns three shopping centres.
He also owns Lesley Buildings property empire – a portfolio of residential, commercial and office schemes named after his glamorous wife.
Malone Road, which links Belfast to the affluent suburbs of Malone and Upper Malone, is lined with high-value Georgian style homes and the leafy area is also home to two top grammar schools.
A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said that detectives from the PSNI's Organised Crime Branch charged the three men with the offences.
She said: “The 49 year-old, 47 year- old and 30 year-old were charged with conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to false imprison.
“The charges relate to an incident in the South Belfast area on Friday, April 8.
“As is normal procedure the charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.”
