Police at the scene of the raid on Esso in Strood

by Julia Roberts

Two men and a teenager have appeared in court today in connection with a £50,000 robbery on a security van in Strood.

George Brockett, 25, of Mangold Way, Erith, Michael McCluskey, also 25, of Brinkburn Close, Abbey Wood, and 18-year-old Alfie Barker, also of Mangold Way, Erith, are charged with conspiracy to rob following the raid on Wednesday, September 19.

The robbery happened at an Esso petrol station in Cuxton Road just before noon.

Brockett, formerly of Ivy Close, Gravesend; McCluskey and Barker - who only turned 18 on Friday and can therefore now be identified - were flanked by three dock officers at Maidstone Crown Court.

They spoke only to confirm their names during the brief preliminary hearing, but smiled and waved at family sitting in the public gallery.

The defendants appeared at Canterbury Crown Court

John O'Higgins, prosecuting, told Judge Charles Macdonald QC the investigation had "complexities" - in particular the downloading of mobile phones and cell site evidence.

He added that police were also looking into "potentially outstanding offenders".

The trio were remanded in custody until a plea and case management hearing on December 14.

A provisional trial date was fixed to start in February next year.