FOUR men and a woman have made a second appearance in court over Britain's biggest ever robbery.

John Fowler, Lea Rusha, Jetmir Bucpapa and Stuart Royle appeared by TV link between London's top security Belmarsh Prison and Maidstone Crown Court and only Kim Shackleton was in the dock.

Paul Chamberlain, prosecuting, said car salesman Fowler, 60, of Elderden Farm, Chart Hill Road, Staplehurst, roofer Rusha, 33, of Lambersart Close, Tunbridge Wells, unemployed Bucpapa, 24, of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, and car salesman Royle, 47, of Allen Street, Maidstone, were accused of a mixture of charges including conspiracy to rob, kidnap and handling.

Self-employed hairdresser Shackleton, 38, of Allen Street, Maidstone, is charged with handling stolen goods.

Jonathan Higgs, for Shackleton, indicated he would be making a bail application on her behalf.

Mr Chamberlain was granted 10 weeks instead of the usual six weeks to present the prosecution case papers.

He said there were some 4,500 items awaiting fingerprint examination and 70 mobile telephones had so far been seized.

Judge Andrew Patience, QC, remanded all five in custody until June 12, when pleas to the charges are expected to be entered.

Depot manager Colin Dixon, his wife Lynn and their nine-year-old son Craig were kidnapped during the £53m robbery at the Securitas depot in Tonbridge on February 21.