Charges have been dropped against three men accused of imprisoning and beating a fruit and veg stall holder.

Eylem Alhaslioglu, 41of Hainault Road, Chigwell, Aras Simsik,33, of Main Avenue, Enfield, and Hazar Koz, 32, of The Ridgeway, Enfield, were accused of beating a New Spitalfields Market trader using metal and bottles at the famous market in Sherrin Road, Leyton, on October 11.

The trio appeared at Thames Magistrates Court in May charged with assault by beating and false imprisonment and were bailed to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court yesterday (August 13) to enter a plea.

However, the court received notification from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on Monday to say that the case had been discontinued.

A CPS spokesman, said: "The CPS has a duty to keep cases under continuous review.

"Following a further review of the available evidence in this case we decided there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction and therefore discontinued the case.

"This was because anticipated further evidence has failed to become available."