Ede, 38, was an employee of MGC and initially thought to be a victim during the robbery, in which fellow Melbourne man Karl Kachami, 48, held him at gunpoint before making off with gold bullion, jewellery, and cash valued at $3.2 million.
However, police later arrested both men, alleging they had planned the heist together.
The Age reports that Ede, as a manager, knew that a quantity of gold bullion was being delivered to the business three days before the April 27 robbery, and disabled a security alarm, led Kachami to the safes where the goods were kept, and signalled him to pull out his gun.
While Kachami later led police to a cache of the stolen gold and cash, more than $300,000 remains missing. Restitution orders have been made against both Ede and Kachami for the missing funds.
Kachami was jailed for four years in November, with a minimum of two years to serve before he is eligible for parole.
Ede – who has been in custody since May last year – initially denied involvement in the robbery, but eventually pleaded guilty in October 2020.
In sentencing Ede, County Court Judge David Sexton described the robbery – one of the largest in Victorian history – as a “brazen, sophisticated and well-thought-out criminal endeavour targeted for maximum financial return” and noted that Ede had committed an “egregious breach of trust” with his employer, MGC director Michael Kukulka, whom he had known for 15 years.
The Court heard that Ede had been under significant financial pressure due to failed investments and his sons’ school fees.
During an appearance at the County Koori Court last month, Ede also claimed to have been subjected to bullying and racism at his “toxic” workplace, which Kukulka denied.
However, Ede denied seeing himself as a “victim” and admitted the robbery was “disgraceful”, adding, “Unfortunately I cannot turn back time and, moving forward, I would like to put things right.”
In determining his sentence, Judge Sexton commended Ede for taking responsibility for his actions at the Koori Court. Ede will be eligible for parole after three years and nine months.
More reading:
Melbourne Gold Company robbery defendant alleges “toxic” workplace
Melbourne Gold Company thief sentenced for $3.2m heist
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