SIX of the people charged in connection with Britain’s biggest cash robbery will remain behind bars until the New Year at least.

John Fowler, Stuart Royle, Lea Rusha, Jetmir Bucpapa, Raluca Millen and Ermir Hysenaj will stay in custody until January 2, a judge ruled at the Old Bailey in London on Tuesday.

The Honorable Mr Justice Penry-Davey heard legal arguments from the counsel for the prosecution and defence about their time in custody.

The six, together with Kim Shackleton, Roger Coutts, Katie Philp, Michelle Hogg and Keith Borer, are charged with various offences in connection with the £53million robbery of the Securitas depot in Tonbridge in February.

Six of the men appeared by video link from prison while others stood in the dock for the hearing.

Royle complained repeatedly that he couldn’t hear what was being said in court.

Shackleton, who was further remanded in custody today, is expected to apply for bail when she next appears at the Old Bailey this Friday. Coutts and Philp were remanded in custody until December 15.

Bail was renewed for Hogg, whose counsel have indicated that they will apply for all charges against her to be dismissed.

Borer, who is charged with dishonestly receiving stolen goods, sat in the court room with his solicitor. His bail was also extended.

All 11 defendants will attend the next hearing in person on Friday, December 15.

A trial has been set to start on April 16, 2007 and is expected to last at least three months.

The 11 are accused of a variety of offences including conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to kidnap in relation to the robbery at the Securitas depot in Tonbridge in February.

They are John Fowler, 61, a car dealer of Elderden Farm, Chart Hill Road, Staplehurst, Stuart Royle, 48, a car dealer of Allen Street, Maidstone, Kim Shackleton, 39, a hairdresser of Allen Street, Maidstone, Lea Rusha, 34, a roofer of Lambersart Close, Southborough, Jetmir Bucpapa, 25, unemployed, of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, Ermir Hysenaj, 26, a Post Office worker of Prospect Villas, New Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, Raluca Antonela Millen, 26, a warehouse worker of Dudley Road, Tunbridge Wells, Roger Lloyd Coutts, 29, a garage owner of The Green, Welling, Katie Philp, 23, a sales assistant of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, Michelle Hogg, 31, a hairdresser of Brinklow Crescent, Woolwich and Keith Borer, 53, a sign writer of Little Venice Country Park, Hampsted Lane, Yalding.