A FIFTH person has been remanded in custody by magistrates charged in connected with the £53 million cash robbery at Tonbridge.

Lea John Rusha, 33, a roofer, from Lambersart Close, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, is accused of conspiracy to commit robbery.

He spoke only to confirm his name when he appeared before Maidstone magistrates on Friday afternoon and was remanded to next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on March 13. There was no application for bail.

He was driven away from the court in a convoy of four police cars and four police motorcycles.

Earlier on Friday, a fourth suspect appeared in court at Maidstone in connection with the heist. Jetmir Bucpapa, 24, unemployed, of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, is accused of conspiracy to commit robbery.

He was also remanded in custody to next appear before a judge at Maidstone Crown Court on March 13.

On Thursday, two men and a woman were remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with offences connected with the robbery.

One of them is 60-year-old John Fowler, a car salesman, of Elderden Farm, Chart Hill Road, Staplehurst, near Maidstone.

He is charged with one count of conspiracy to rob and three charges of kidnapping depot manager Colin Dixon, his wife Lynn and their nine-year-old son Craig. Additionally he is jointly charged with handling stolen goods.

The second man charged is Stuart John Royle, 47, also a car salesman, of Allen Street, Maidstone, who is charged with conspiracy to rob the Securitas depot between January 1 and February 23.

The woman is Kim Shackleton, 38, self-employed, also of Allen Street, Maidstone, who is accused of handling stolen goods, namely steel cash cages belonging to the Bank of England and Securitas.

The three appeared before magistrates at Maidstone. They were remanded until March 13 when they will appear before a judge at Maidstone Crown Court.

A man and a woman, both arrested on Thursday, have been released without charge.

Elizabeth Howe, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Kent, said: "I have been working closely with the investigation team from the start. We have preferred these very serious charges after due examination of the existing evidence."

Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Leppard said: "I remain pleased with the progress of this case. This investigation is likely to continue for many months and possibly years as we track down those responsible and indeed all of the stolen money.

"Future success will rely upon thorough and painstaking detective work - something we are very good at in Kent."