A man's trial on £35,000 theft charges has collapsed after the judge's laptop computer was stolen.

Recorder Michael Bromley-Martin, QC, was forced to abandon the case after his notebook and computer were stolen from a car.

They had contained detailed notes on the trial of Daniel Horn.

Horn, 22, is accused of stealing £35,000 while working as a courier for Securicor.

Lewes Crown Court heard the money was taken from two cash bags belonging to the Abbey National branch in Terminus Road, Eastbourne, and Yes Car Credit in Springfield Road, Horsham, in January last year.

Horn, of Christchurch Road, Worthing, has denied two charges of theft.

Mr Bromley-Martin yesterday told the court the trial had to be abandoned because of problems which could be caused due to the missing notes.

The jury heard his computer and notebook had been left in a car parked in a London street on Tuesday evening.

The following day, after considering whether to continue with the trial, Mr Bromley-Martin ruled the jury should be discharged and a new trial held later this summer.

Mr Bromley-Martin had made detailed notes in a traditional scarlet notebook, as used by all judges, from evidence given by prosecution witnesses in the first two days of the trial, which had been expected to end on Friday.

Mr Bromley-Martin, a barrister since 1979 who was made a QC two years ago, apologised to the jury.

He explained the notes were vitally important as he would have used them to summarise the evidence at the end of the trial before the jury returned its verdict.

The judge, who specialises in criminal law, particularly commercial and investment fraud, told the court: "Unfortunately, last night my judge's notebook and my laptop computer were stolen from a car in London.

"That has caused some difficulty."

He said time had been lost while barristers for the prosecution and defence discussed the effect of the theft and there were concerns about him summing up the case without his notes.

He had considered spending time listening to a tape recording made of the case but believed it would be too time-consuming.

Mr Bromley-Martin, who has worked on notable cases including Blue Arrow and BCCI, said: "I have come to the conclusion it is not possible for the trial to continue.

"I am sorry this has occurred. But I feel in the circumstances there is nothing else I can do."