by Julia Roberts

A former stand-up comedian has been formally cleared of involvement in an illegal coin-making factory.

Michael Silk, of Sanderling Way, Iwade, was facing a retrial after a jury failed to decide whether the 70-year-old was guilty of making thousands of fake £1 coins.

That trial ended in December.

Mr Silk had denied making counterfeit coins with intent, having custody of counterfeit materials with intent, and having custody of counterfeit coins intending to deliver to another.

Mr Silk was due to stand trial again later this month but Maidstone Crown Court was told today (Friday) that the prosecution was now offering no evidence against him on all three charges.

Judge Jeremy Gold QC therefore entered formal not guilty verdicts. Mr Silk was not in court for the brief hearing.

Police discovered the horde of fake coins when they raided an industrial unit at Tonge Corner Farm, near Sittingbourne, in May.

Inside a concealed void were 8,000 counterfeit £1 coins, 14,000 metal discs waiting to be manufactured into coins and a hydraulic machine press.

Other paraphernalia included coin and dye moulds, genuine coins with wax residue, specialist plaster and a water-cooling system for the coin press.

The premises were being rented by Mr Silk's son, Stephen. The 49-year-old of Wises Lane, Borden, has admitted involvement in the scam and is awaiting sentence.

A third defendant, Paul Bart, 65, of Boreham Wood, Hertfordshire, was cleared of the same three charges at the trial in December.

Both he and Mr Silk had denied playing any part in the factory or having any knowledge of it.