A Dartford man who was due to stand trial in connection with the Hatton Garden heist, in which more than £10million worth of valuables were stolen, has had the charges against him dropped.

Paul Reader, 50 of Dartford Road, was charged with conspiracy to commit burglary between April 1 and 7 and conspiracy to convert criminal property - after the raid over the Easter Weekend.

All charges against him have now been dropped, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

His dad, Brian Reader, 76 of the same address, still awaits sentencing in connection with the heist, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to burgle.

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Thieves forced their way into Hatton Garden Safe Deposit after using a drill to bore a hole 20in deep, 10in high and 18in into the vault's wall.

Police officers believe they got into the building through a communal entrance before disabling the lift so they could climb down the shaft to the basement.

Once inside, the gang ransacked 73 safety deposit boxes.

After facing criticism for the way the incident was handled, the Met apologised for not following procedures when receiving a call from a security firm about an intruder alert at the premises at midnight on Good Friday.

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Four other men face the same charges, which they deny. They are: Carl Wood, 58, of Elderbeck Close, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire; Hugh Doyle, 48, of Riverside Gardens, Enfield, north London; William Lincoln, 60, of Winkley Street, Bethnal Green, east London; and John Harbinson, 42, of Beresford Gardens, Benfleet, Essex.

They are due to stand trial on November 16.

John Collins, 75, of Blestoe Walk, Islington; Daniel Jones, 58, of Park Avenue, Enfield; Terry Perkins, 67, of Heene Road, Enfield; and Brian Reader have all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle.

They will be sentenced at a date to be confirmed.