Tablets, often seen as mere entertainment devices, can provide crucial evidence in legal investigations, as illustrated by British police uncovering an iPad linked to an attempted murder case. The investigation into the Ahearne brothers and their accomplice, Daniel Kelly, revealed their roles in a theft of priceless ceramics and a botched assassination attempt involving Paul Allen. A recovered SIM card from the iPad connected them to communications and tracking devices, leading to further insights into their criminal activities.
The Surprising Role of Tablets in Legal Investigations
Tablets, typically used for entertainment, staying connected with friends and family, or surfing the web, can unexpectedly play a vital role in legal investigations. This was demonstrated by British police, who uncovered vital evidence in an attempted murder case through an iPad recovered from the Thames. This intriguing case showcases a blend of critical clues, investigative intuition, and fortunate discoveries.
International Criminals: The Ahearne Brothers and Their Accomplice
Louis and Stewart Ahearne, notorious figures in the UK justice system, have been linked to multiple criminal activities in recent years alongside their accomplice, Daniel Kelly. Their involvement came to light during the investigation of a high-profile theft of priceless ceramics from a Geneva museum, but their specific roles were clarified thanks to evidence that might have otherwise been lost beneath the Thames.
The saga, vividly narrated by the BBC, dates back to 2019 when Paul Allen, a former criminal and one of the masterminds behind the UK’s largest armed robbery, was shot multiple times in a rented London home. Despite being injured and now disabled, Allen survived the assassination attempt, leaving many details shrouded in mystery for investigators, including the roles of the Ahearne brothers and Kelly. The method by which they tracked Allen’s vehicle also baffled authorities until a significant lead emerged.
During a court hearing, Louis Ahearne recalled a car trip where his accomplice, Daniel Kelly, allegedly exited the vehicle and vanished into a street leading toward the Thames. What initially seemed like an inconsequential detail sparked the curiosity of investigators. A police officer remarked, “We immediately thought that if someone wanted to dispose of something critical, it could likely be a firearm.”
Following leads provided during the Ahearne brothers’ defense, police conducted searches along the river with a metal detector. Although no firearm was discovered, an iPad was unearthed beneath a layer of sand. Although the device was inoperative after almost five years submerged, a pink SIM card was recovered and subsequently analyzed.
This SIM card, traced back to Daniel Kelly, unveiled communications with the Ahearne brothers and was associated with GPS tracking devices found in a vehicle seized during the arrests. These revelations contributed to additional leads during the investigation, including online purchases that meticulously outlined the sequence of events and clarified the roles and methods of the three suspects. Investigators, proud of their persistence, remain optimistic about uncovering further evidence. “It’s one of those cases where you keep digging and keep finding,” they noted to the British media.