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The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Gold season two review – this thrilling tale of stolen millions is top quality British drama
At the end of the first series of The Gold, it dawned on the officers of the Met's Flying Squad that for all of their multiple investigations into the infamous Brink's-Mat robbery of 1983, they had only ever been chasing half of the stolen bullion. Arriving two years after its highly entertaining predecessor, series two sets off with an irresistible premise: what exactly happened to the rest of it? The trouble is that the show doesn't know the answer, though it freely admits this. None of the gold has ever been recovered, but a note at the beginning explains that the series is based on both real events and theories as to where the loot went. As before, some of the characters are real and some invented. The focus, this time, is on bringing down the ones who got away. The police are hot on the heels of the charming rogue John Palmer (Tom Cullen), AKA 'Goldfinger', who talked his way out of a conviction so convincingly in series one. They're also trying to track down Charlie Miller (Sam Spruell), a fictional amalgam of various south London villains, who has come away from the robbery with a lot of gold to hide and only loose ideas of what to do with it. The first series, set in the 1980s, was a classic cops-and-robbers drama, and as a result, was more contained and more thrilling. The second series moves the action to the 1990s, and has to work harder, at least initially. It follows the money through a sprawling network of villains, some small-time, some so big-time that at one point we take a detour to the country then called Burma. (I'm sure the cast who were stuck on the Isle of Man felt no resentment whatsoever towards the actors who ended up mostly in Tenerife.) For the first couple of episodes, The Gold seems uneasy with this new sense of unharnessed scale. It starts out like an instalment of The Famous Five, or Scooby-Doo, as Miller heads for the disused tin mines of Cornwall. But it soon drags its attention back to the money trail and the investigation, still led by Det Supt Brian Boyce (Hugh Bonneville at his best). The police work has been going on for so long that he and his team are losing the support of their superiors, who are trying to shut them down. These scenes feel a little stuck, a little repetitive, lacking the excitement of the robbery and its immediate aftermath. That is, until Palmer begins to flaunt his wealth and muscle his way into the English establishment. The Gold has always had something to chew on about who belongs where, and who gets to do what. The establishment and the underworld are rarely as distinct as you might think, the series seems to say, an idea that on occasion muddies the waters of who you are supposed to be rooting for. Miller is perceived as a 'knuckle-dragger' by Douglas Baxter, a disgraced Cambridge graduate and tax whiz whom Miller tasks with cleaning the dirty money. Joshua McGuire – a standout – plays Baxter with a snivelling haughtiness as repellent as it is pathetic. In fact, this is filled with thunderingly good performances, both billed and in the form of a few surprise appearances, which should please fans of series one. Any sense of triumph, of thieves luxuriating in their ill-gotten gains, is soon swallowed up by paranoia, and by episode three, the claustrophobia experienced by those involved in Brink's-Mat is palpable. Palmer's timeshare business in Tenerife is hiding a multitude of sins, and when the Russians arrive, it's fair to say that his work-life balance tips in an unfavourable direction. Miller, meanwhile, directs his attention towards the Virgin Islands, and a network of old boys to which he does not belong. For Palmer and Miller, the bubble can only get so big before it bursts, and the series revels in slowly turning the screws on them. The Gold is still prone to giving its characters lengthy speeches, in order to explain their belief system or philosophy of life, but that quirk has become as much a part of the series as sweaty detectives shouting 'nick 'im!', or indistinct timeframes indicated by captions like 'a few years ago'. But there is an overwhelming sense that this is Good Quality British Drama, despite the inevitable sprawl that comes with a story wandering across the Canaries, the Caribbean, Asia, the Isle of Man and London. For the most part, it is focused and newly thrilling. And despite having no obvious ending to draw from in real life, The Gold manages to cobble one together, with gusto. The Gold aired on BBC One and is on iPlayer now.
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Police nab foreign national found with drugs worth R100 000
The Limpopo Provincial Flying Squad has made a breakthrough after arresting a foreign national found with drugs in Mokopane town. The 47-year-old suspect was found with crystal methamphetamine valued at approximately R100 000. The Flying Squad received a tip-off about suspicious drug-dealing activities going on in the area. Upon arrival, the police found the suspect in possession of crystal methamphetamine and arrested him. Additionally, the suspect was found with no valid South African Identity Documentation (ID). The suspect is expected to appear in court before the Mokopane Magistrate's Court on Monday, 9 June 2025, over charges of possession and dealing in drugs and Contravention of the Immigration Act. Three suspects have been arrested after being found in possession of drugs on Friday, 6 June 2025. The suspects were apprehended in different locations. The first suspect, a 21-year-old male, was arrested at his residence in Mosesetjane Village, after police found 155 sachets of Nyaope, 57 sachets of Cat, 31 sachets of Crystal Meth and an undisclosed amount of cash in his bedroom. A 26-year-old male suspect was also arrested at his residence in Danisani Sandsloot Village. He was found with 46 sachets of Crystal Meth and 13 sachets of Nyaope. In Masodi Village, police apprehended a 39-year-old female suspect who was found 5 sachets of Nyaope, 2 sachets of Crystal Meth and an undisclosed amount of cash. All three suspects were detained at Mahwelereng SAPS and are facing charges related to the Contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act and Possession of Prohibited Drugs. They are expected to appear before the Mahwelereng Magistrate's Court on 9 June 2025. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
How the Millennium Dome diamond heist actually worked
In 2000, Lee Wenham planned what would have been the world's largest jewel heist, targeting De Beers diamonds valued at more than $500 million. The plan involved a dramatic raid on London's Millennium Dome, an excavator, and a speedboat for the getaway. The Met Police's Flying Squad thwarted the operation, though, and arrested Wenham and his accomplices before they could get to the diamonds. Wenham opens up about his gang's meticulous planning, its surveillance, and the security around the gems. After leaving prison in May 2005, Wenham started a landscaping business. He was the subject of the Guy Ritchie Netflix documentary "The Diamond Heist" and wrote a memoir, "Diamond Gangster." For more, visit:
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Decades of Illegal Medical Practices Uncovered in Haryana Hospital
HISAR: Authorities in Hisar have uncovered a case of alleged medical malpractice after raiding a hospital in Haryana's Hisar district that had been operating illegally for over two decades. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials say Jangra Hospital in Balsamand village was run by , a local resident with no formal medical qualifications. The facility had been treating patients for 25 years without a licensed doctor on site. The raid was carried out by a joint team from the Chief Minister's Flying Squad, the Health Department, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), following a complaint filed by Medical Officer Dr Naveen Bainiwal. Police have registered a case against Dharampal under Section 34 of the National Medical Commission Act, which bars unqualified individuals from practising medicine. During the raid, investigators found a woman named Kamla Devi receiving treatment. Her husband told police that Dharampal had examined his wife and taken money for the treatment. Dharampal claimed he held an 'Ayurveda Ratna' degree from Allahabad University and said that an ayurvedic doctor, Dr Kanwal Kumar Mohan, periodically visited the hospital. However, Dr Mohan later admitted to only practising Ayurveda and said he had no training in allopathic medicine. He also confirmed that Dharampal regularly administered allopathic treatments. Authorities seized medical equipment, patient records, and hospital documents during the raid. A pharmacy on the premises, operating under the name Ajay Medicine Center, was found to have a valid licence. Officials say further investigation is underway to determine the scale of the hospital's unauthorised medical operations, including the involvement of other doctors such as Dr Nidhi Mehta, who reportedly visited the facility weekly.
IOL News
20-05-2025
- IOL News
LOOK: Another stolen Toyota Corolla Cross intercepted while heading to cross Beitbridge
Provincial police spokesperson in Limpopo, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the grey SUV was reported stolen earlier this month, around Pretoria central. Image: SAPS Police in Limpopo have intercepted another Toyota Corolla Cross sport utility vehicle which was apparently being driven towards the Beitbridge port of entry. Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the grey SUV was reportedly stolen earlier this month, around Pretoria central. 'On Friday, 16 May 2025, members of provincial Flying Squad were busy conducting routine patrol duties when they received intelligence information about a grey Toyota Corolla Cross SUV vehicle that was reported stolen this month,' said Mashaba. 'The vehicle was allegedly travelling at high speed along the N1 South public road and was destined to be smuggled to Zimbabwe.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. The police immediately commenced an intensive search for the stolen vehicle until it was positively spotted driving outside Polokwane. Police officers attempted to stop the speeding vehicle, but the driver did not yield. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'A car chase ensued until the vehicle was intercepted at Nirvana robots. It was searched and police suddenly discovered a damaged tracking device removed from the vehicle,' said Mashaba. The 31-year-old man who was driving the stolen vehicle could not produce authentic documentation proving ownership of the car, and he was immediately placed under arrest on the spot. The arrested driver was charged for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle. Provincial police spokesperson in Limpopo, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the grey SUV was reported stolen earlier this month, around Pretoria central. Image: SAPS Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has saluted the law enforcement team which intercepted and recovered the vehicle. She urged the team to continue in their concerted efforts to combat cross border crimes. Earlier on Tuesday, IOL reported that police in Limpopo announced 'a significant breakthrough' with the recovery of two vehicles, a Toyota Corolla Cross and a Toyota Hilux GD-6 valued at approximately R1.4 million, which were destined to be smuggled out of South Africa. Mashaba said the two vehicles were meant to be driven across the Beitbridge port of entry, into the neighbouring Zimbabwe on Sunday. 'In a co-ordinated anti-smuggling operation involving SAPS Anti-Smuggling Team, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, and Reflex Anti-Hijacking Security, the officers intercepted a Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab on the R101 near Polokwane weighbridge. During the stop, one male suspect fled into nearby bushes, while two female suspects attempted to escape but were apprehended after a foot chase,' said Mashaba. The women aged 19 and 20 were arrested, and are facing charges of possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle. A man escaped on foot, evading arrest while two women aged 19 and 20 were arrested for possession of a Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab bakkie. Image: SAPS Preliminary investigations confirmed that the vehicle was stolen on 16 May 2025 in the Garsfontein policing area in Pretoria East, Gauteng. In a separate but related intelligence-driven operation, Mashaba said officers intercepted a Toyota Corolla Cross at Mokopane CBD on the R101 road, which was also en route to the Beitbridge port of entry. 'Investigations revealed that this vehicle had been reported stolen at the Wierdabrug (City of Tshwane) policing area on Friday. The driver, a 34-year-old undocumented foreign national, was arrested,' said Mashaba. IOL News
