A set of twins have walked free from court after a judge threw out the case linking them to a £2 million arson attack on a leisure centre.

Daniel and Christopher Hulusi, 34, had been facing charges of arson and criminal damage following incidents at Cygnet Leisure Centre, in Old Perry Street, Northfleet, between March and July 2017.

Prosecutors had said the Hulusis, of Townley Road, Bexleyheath, smashed windows at the site on March 1 then returned just after midnight nine days later and torched the gym before smashing windows on other occasions between March and July that year.

But both brothers pleaded not guilty to the charges and the case went to trial at Woolwich Crown Court last week.

Five days into the trial the defence made a "half time application" for prosecution evidence to be reviewed and Her Honour Judge Downing directed on Monday, that both defendants should be acquitted and the case was dismissed.

Speaking this week Daniel Hulusi welcomed the decision, but said the trial had taken its toll following two years of court proceedings.

"It's affected my health and my brother's health," he said. "My grandad had two strokes because of this.

"It's two years too late but never mind. Me and my brother have been unwell and it's resulted in me losing my job.

"We were facing an eight year sentence, and they were trying to get us to go against each other. We spoke to each other saying 'we both didn't do this'.

"It's definitely a relief but we have to try and rebuild our lives now."

Cheryl Pendry, area communications manager for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "At the start of the trial, the defence made an application that there was no case in answer for three of the four charges against Daniel Hulusi. Following evidence given during the trial, the prosecution decided not to oppose this application.

"Following the conclusion of the prosecution case, the Judge decided that identification evidence should be excluded on the remaining charge of criminal damage against both defendants. As a result, the Judge directed the jury to acquit the defendants on all counts."

Gravesham Borough Council, which is responsible for Cygnet Leisure Centre, declined to comment.

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