Ananova :

The case against two estate agents accused of stealing semi-naked photographs of Patsy Kensit has been thrown out.

The case was dismissed when Miss Kensit failed to turn up for the trial.

A judge directed that Michael Sulkin and Howard Kayman be found not guilty of taking the polaroids from the star's home.

The prosecution had no choice but to offer no evidence against the pair after Miss Kensit refused to leave a film set in Canada to attend court.

The case had already been put off twice - once because of Miss Kensit's film commitments and then when the detective in the case failed to turn up at court because he was on holiday.

At the last hearing a judge said that as a key prosecution witness, Miss Kensit had to attend Snaresbrook Crown Court in London.

Judge Martyn Zeidman, QC, refused to adjourn the case again.

Hhe said: "I'm not prepared to grant any further adjournment as it would be unfair for the defendants to have to wait any longer to have the opportunity to clear their names."

The judge ordered the prosecution to pay costs, although an exact figure was not discussed.

Sulkin, 39, of Swiss Cottage, north London and Kayman, 34, of Stanmore, north-west London, were arrested in August last year.

Story filed: 11:34 Monday 10th September 2001

• Patsy Kensit
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