A woman accused of involvement in a plot to commit a robbery at the home of a doctor and his opera singer wife has died, it has been revealed.

Tracey Clark, 55, was facing a trial with her partner Daren Richardson, 51, and 59-year-old Kevin Williams.

But a judge at Maidstone Crown Court was told that Miss Clark, of Church Street, Rochester, had just passed away after an illness.

Richardson, of Windmill Road, Gillingham, was due to appear by TV link with Elmley Prison, but did not do so after his barrister broke the news to him.

The three denied conspiracy to rob Australians Peter and Karen Lenz, who were house-sitting at the home of GP Dr Dudley Hubbard and his wife Christine off Maidstone Road in Rochester in the early hours of February 16.

Richardson and Williams also denied aggravated vehicle taking, involving a van taken during the alleged raid.

They are due to stand trial on November 19.

Richardson was remanded in custody. Williams, of Wratten Road West, Hitchen, Hertfordshire, is on bail. Miss Clark, who was a cleaner at the house, was also bailed.

Mr and Mrs Lenz were tied up and threatened with a knife before a large amount of valuable jewellery was stolen.

The van soon afterwards crashed into railings outside Rochester Grammar School.

Mrs Hubbard, a soprano, posted pictures of some of the jewellery taken.