The case against two fathers’ rights activists accused of trespassing to stage a protest on the roof of Jeremy Corbyn’s home in Islington has been dropped.
Martin Matthews, 49, from Bookham, and Robert ‘Bobby’ Smith, 34, a candidate in the Tooting parliamentary by-election this year, were due to stand trial after a court heard they scaled the Labour leader’s terraced home on August 5.
From August: WATCH: Tooting by election candidate and Leatherhead activist protest on Jeremy Corbyn's roof
But the case against the pair has been “discontinued”, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
Mr Smith, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, and Mr Matthews were accused of trespassing to demonstrate for the New Fathers 4 Justice.
Video from Jeremy Corbyns roof. We are protesting today about his part in the blocking of shared parenting. pic.twitter.com/xNexr0YM3J
— Bobby smith (@bobbysmith2765) 5 August 2016
The group campaigns for the right of fathers to see their children, according to its website.
The pair had both denied aggravated trespass and a charge of failure to leave the land at a hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in September.
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said: "This case was originally charged by the police.
"We reviewed the case in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and concluded there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.
"We therefore proposed to the police that the case was discontinued and they agreed with this approach."
Got a story? Get in touch at craig.richard@london.newsquest.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here