Dubbed as ‘The Big Cheese’ for his criminal expertise, Keith Cheeseman appears unapologetic about his past, boasting of encounters with notable figures such as The Krays and George Best. He proudly mentions socializing with Morecambe and Wise and holds the distinction of being the sole perpetrator convicted in Britain’s largest bank heist in 1990, with stolen bearer bonds valued at today’s £850 million.
At 83 years old, Cheeseman now resides in retirement on the Turkish Riviera following his six-and-a-half-year sentence for the bank robbery. He is featured in a Crime+Investigation documentary titled “Heist: Robbing the Bank of England,” alongside Marcel Theroux. Described as ‘The biggest bank heist no one has heard of,’ the 1990 robbery astonished Theroux, who expressed surprise at not having knowledge of it earlier.
Reflecting on his past in the early 1970s, Cheeseman reminisces about driving a Lamborghini, indulging in Montecristo cigars, and mingling with glamour models and celebrities. Despite his imprisonment for the heist, he maintains a sense of celebrity status, particularly in Turkey, where he garners attention for his intriguing background.
Before his criminal activities, Cheeseman, a shopkeeper’s son, managed a successful building company that was adversely affected by the banking system’s actions. Feeling aggrieved by the banking institutions, he embarked on a path of testing and challenging banks due to his disdain for their practices, eventually leading to his involvement in the notorious bank robbery.
During his time in Parkhurst Prison, Cheeseman crossed paths with infamous figures like the Krays and the Richardson brothers. Contrary to the violent reputation of these gangsters, he portrays them as amiable individuals with whom he engaged in casual conversations, emphasizing the stark contrast between his white-collar crimes and their more brutal criminal activities.
Cheeseman humorously recounts his experiences in prison, highlighting the relatively comfortable lifestyle he led due to his financial resources and influence. Refuting the label of a gangster, he identifies himself as a criminal who made a lucrative living through his dealings with banks. His insights into the underworld shed light on the complexities and nuances of criminal relationships and activities.
The documentary “Heist: Robbing the Bank of England” is set to premiere on Monday, 3rd November, on Crime+Investigation.