THE trial of three men accused of attempting to handle stolen goods has collapsed after additional prosecution evidence came to light.

Zafran Abbasi, 28, of Gaisford Road, Cowley, denied four charges of attempting to handle stolen goods; James Sofidiya, 22, of Ridgefield Road, Oxford, denied one count of the same charge and Oghenetega Oketete, 20, of Gerard Place, Cowley, denied three counts of the same charge.

At Oxford Crown Court, Judge Christopher Compston discharged the jury after telling them about the discovery of the additional evidence.

He added: "It wouldn't be fair to ask you to continue.

"This does not happen very often. On the whole cases start and finish."

It is not definite yet that a re-trial will be held, or when that might be.