THE trial of seven people charged in connection with the country’s biggest ever robbery has been moved to the Old Bailey.

It was due to be heard at Maidstone Crown Court but a Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said it would be easier to manage security at the London court.

The trial judge will be Mr Justice Penry-Davey, who will preside over the next hearing at the Old Bailey on July 10.

John Fowler, 60, Raluca Millen, 25, Stuart Royle, 47, Jetmir Bucpapa, 24, Lea Rusha, 33, Ermir Hysenaj, 27, and Kim Shackleton, 38, are due to enter pleas on that date.

They face various charges over the £53m heist at the Securitas depot at Tonbridge in February and kidnapping of depot manager Colin Dixon, his wife Lynn and their nine-year-old son Craig from their Whitstable home. So far, £20m has been recovered.

Fowler, a car salesman, of Elderden Farm, Chart Hill Road, Staplehurst, is charged with kidnap, conspiracy to rob and handling stolen goods.

Millen, a warehouse worker, of Dudley Road, Tunbridge Wells, is charged with conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to kidnap.

Royle, a car salesman, of Allen Street, Maidstone, Bucpapa, unemployed, of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, Rusha, a roofer, of Lamberhurst Close, Tunbridge Wells, and Hysenaj, of New Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, are accused of conspiracy to rob.

Royle’s girlfriend Shackleton, a hairdresser, of Allen Street, Maidstone, is charged with handling stolen goods.

All seven have been remanded in custody.