Trial of Securicor courier collapses

Daniel Horn, 22, is charged with pocketing 25,000 after stealing a bag during a collection from the Abbey National in Terminus Road, Eastbourne, on January 2 last year.

Horn, of Christchurch Road, Worthing, is then accused of stealing a bag containing 10,091 from Yes Car (Credit) in Springfield Road, Horsham, 11 days later.

Discharging the jury at Lewes Crown Court on the third day of the trial, Recorder Michael Bromley-Martin said: "I'm sorry you have been kept waiting, and kept waiting more and more.

"Unfortunately something occured in relation to this case that has caused the need for counsel and myself to consider the future of this trial.

"I have a notebook as all judges do, they are always scarlet, and in that notebook I make a note of all of the evidence.

"The reason I do that is so I should be in a position to summarise the case to you in my summing up.

"I also use a laptop computer on which I draft my summing up as I had begun to in this case.

"Unfortunately last night my notebook and laptop were stolen from my car in London. That has caused some difficulty."

Recorder Bromley-Martin said that because of this and other legal reasons it would be "difficult" to give a summary of the evidence which was both "fair and complete".

He added: "I've come to the conclusion it's not possible for this trial to continue. I'm going to discharge you from giving a verdict."

Horn, who denies two charges of theft, will face a re-trial on a date yet to be fixed.

Ends.