Accused denies being £53m robber

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A man accused of being involved in the £53m Securitas heist has denied being a robber captured on the depot's CCTV.

Garage owner Roger Coutts, 30, of Welling, south-east London, told a jury at the Old Bailey that he had nothing to do with the robbery.

He also said he could not explain how his DNA came to be found on cable ties used to restrain Securitas staff.

Mr Coutts and six others deny charges at the Old Bailey in relation to the £53m raid in Tonbridge, Kent, in 2006.

He said: "I have got no connection with it," when David Jeremy QC, prosecuting, asked how his DNA came to be found on a bag at a site in Tunbridge Wells where £8.6m in cash was discovered.

'Many possibilities'

Mr Coutts said: "I accept my DNA was on there. The explanation for my DNA being on them cable ties is just, I don't know how my DNA's on there."

He told the court someone from his garage in Northfleet could have passed the cable ties to one of the alleged co-conspirators, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

"There are so many possibilities, I don't know," Mr Coutts said.

He also accused key prosecution witness Michelle Hogg of lying to save herself.

The defendants on trial include car salesman Stuart Royle, 48, of Maidstone, and his former business partner, John Fowler, 58, of Staplehurst, both Kent.

Also charged are former depot worker Ermir Hysenaj, 27, of Crowborough, East Sussex; Jetmir Bucpapa, 26, of Tonbridge, Kent; roofer Lea Rusha, 35, of Southborough, Kent; and garage owner Roger Coutts, 30, of Welling, south-east London.

They all deny conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to possess firearms.

Signwriter Keith Borer, 53, of Maidstone, Kent, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of handling stolen money.

The trial continues.