Dubbed as ‘The Big Cheese’ due to his criminal expertise, Keith Cheeseman appears unapologetic about his past, proudly recounting encounters with prominent figures like The Krays and football legend George Best. He reminisces about socializing with Morecambe and Wise and holds the distinction of being the lone convict in Britain’s largest bank heist, wherein bearer bonds valued at £850 million today were stolen in 1990.
Currently enjoying retirement on the Turkish Riviera at the age of 83, Cheeseman, who served six-and-a-half years for the heist, is featured in a Crime+Investigation documentary titled “Heist: Robbing the Bank of England” alongside Marcel Theroux. Describing the 1990 robbery as ‘The biggest bank heist no one has heard of,’ Theroux expressed surprise at not coming across it earlier, given that it unfolded in the London he inhabited during his early journalism career.
Reflecting on his past, Cheeseman recalls his lavish lifestyle in the early 1970s, driving a Lamborghini, mingling with celebrities, and smoking Montecristo cigars. Despite his status as a working-class individual from Luton, Bedfordshire, he embraced a celebrity persona, especially in Turkey, where he continues to attract attention. His involvement with Dunstable Town, including convincing George Best to return to soccer, drew scrutiny, leading to his imprisonment for false accounting related to the club.
Transitioning from a shopkeeper’s son to a member of the criminal underworld, Cheeseman points to a pivotal moment in the early 1970s when the banking system’s actions adversely impacted his successful building company. Feeling slighted by financial institutions, he embarked on a path of testing and challenging banks, driven by a disdain for their practices. His experiences in prison, notably encountering infamous figures like the Krays and the Richardsons, offer a unique perspective on the criminal world.
Despite his criminal history, Cheeseman views himself more as a savvy operator than a traditional gangster, emphasizing his illicit activities within the banking realm. He fondly recollects interactions with notorious individuals and the perks of his lifestyle, attributing his success and encounters with influential figures to his criminal exploits. The documentary “Heist: Robbing the Bank of England” debuts on Crime+Investigation on Monday, 3rd November, shedding light on Cheeseman’s colorful past.
