EVIDENCE given by a former suspect in the £53million Tonbridge robbery trial should be treated with considerable caution, a judge has warned.

The judge, Mr Justice Penry-Davey asked jurors at the Old Bailey on Tuesday to recall evidence given by Michelle Hogg - a hairdresser who had admitted disguising the gang who kidnapped cash depot manager Colin Dixon and his family and stole £53million from the Securitas depot in February 2006.

Originally a suspect in the case, Michelle Hogg had said she had never known the true reason for disguising the gang.

The prosecution dropped charges against Miss Hogg when she agreed to give evidence against her co-defendants.

The judge warned jurors: "You should approach the evidence of Miss Hogg with great care and considerable caution. It appears she agreed to give evidence in the event of proceedings being dropped.

"The suggestion was made that she was prepared to lie in order to save her own skin."

The judge asked jurors to look to see what independent support there was for Miss Hogg's evidence, adding: "It is for you to decided the extent to which such evidence supports her and to decided rationally whether you reject or accept her evidence."

The case continues.