Kidnap plot trial collapses

THE trial of five men charged in connection with an alleged plot to kidnap singer Victoria Beckham collapsed yesterday.

The case was thrown out at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court, central London, after the Crown Prosecution Service said the evidence of a key witness was unreliable. The witness was a 27-year-old Kosovan parking attendant, who was paid by the News of the World, the court heard.

At yesterday’s hearing judge Simon Smith said he was referring the matter to the Attorney General.

He added that the case highlighted the detrimental effect offering money in return for stories, particularly about celebrities, might have on any prosecutions which follow.

The four Romanians and one Kosovan Albanian were accused of plotting the abduction on or before November 2 last year. They were charged after a story appeared in the News of the World.

The informant was named as Florim Gashi, who, the court heard, had been in financial difficulties.

Evidence was heard the newspaper paid £10,000 to Gashi, a convicted criminal.

Prosecutor Brian Altman told the court the Beckhams had been told about the decision and that they understood the reasons for it.

The millionaire couple increased their personal security after the story appeared. There was no immediate comment from them.