EDDIE Maher, the man charged with stealing nearly �1.2million from outside a Felixstowe bank in 1993, today failed in his bid to be released on bail.

The 57-year-old former Securicor guard is currently remanded in custody awaiting an Ipswich Crown Court trial on March 4.

Maher - who returned from America voluntarily in July after extradition proceedings began following his arrest in Missouri in February - made a bail application at Luton Crown Court this morning.

However, the application was denied.

Maher, formerly of South Woodham Ferrers near Chelmsford, had previously given Ipswich magistrates an address of Wannock Lane in Eastbourne, at an earlier hearing.

He is charged with stealing �1,172,500 while working for Securicor.

The money is said to have been in a security van outside Lloyds Bank in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe.