EDDIE Maher – known as “Fast Eddie” – has been jailed for five years at Southwark Crown Court after admitting the 1993 theft of a security van containing £1.2million.

Maher spent almost 20 years on the run in the US.

The 235 days he has served on remand will be taken into consideration and Maher will be eligible for release after serving half his sentence.

Sentencing Maher, Mr Justice Nicol said: “I am told that in your teenage years you joined the army and served two tours in Northern Ireland.

“You were then in the fire service. Both occupations will have involved commendable public service.

“You then ran a pub in Kent but the pub was damaged. You had to sell up and debts started to accumulate.

“The temptation to commit the present offence must have been too great.

“You told the authorities that after your arrest you only received £40,000. Your wife has said it was about £200,000. If she is right, you made a very substantial gain, even if as you have said the money was lost over the intervening period.”