KIDNAP CASE COLLAPSES

Last updated : 03 June 2003 By editor

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 four Romanians and one Kosovan Albanian were accused of plotting the abduction on or before November 2 last year.

The key witness was a 27-year-old Kosovan parking attendant, who was paid by the News of the World, the court heard.

A CPS source speaking outside the court said: "We have decided to offer no evidence on the conspiracy to kidnap Victoria Beckham. Our picture of the News of World informant was reappraised.

"We are now of the opinion that he is an unreliable witness, after receiving financial gain from the News of the World."