FIVE more men have been charged over the kidnap of a French lorry driver and his consignment of brandy in Hampshire.

Michael Slinger, 42, Orchard Farm, Holgate, Liverpool, and Dean Swanson, 23, of Mottram Close, Liverpool, are charged with conspiracy to rob lorries, trailers and their loads, and conspiracy to rob the lorry driver in November 2005.

Swanson is also charged with possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

The pair are due to appear before Basingstoke Magistrates' Court, along with Gary Ford, of Scythe End, Old Roam, Liverpool, who was charged with conspiracy to rob and steal earlier this week.

About £80,000-worth of brandy was stolen in the attack on the A34 at Sutton Scotney near Winchester on November 29, 2005.

John Moorcroft, is charged with conspiracy to rob. Robert Hickey, 35, of Hereford Drive, Liverpool and Kevin Brophy, 40, of Hale Drive, Liverpool, are both charged with an offence relating to the handling of stolen goods. They have been released on bail to appear before magistrates in Basingstoke on February 1.

The handling offence charges relate to this incident and also to an incident in which two trailers containing beer and cider were stolen from an Asda distribution yard in Wigan, Lancashire on December 1, 2005.

A 19-year-old man who was also arrested in Liverpool has been released with no further action.

Alfred Cochrane, 52, of Scargreen Avenue, Norris Green, Liverpool, was charged with an offence relating to the handling of stolen goods under the Proceeds of Crime Act and was released on bail to also appear before Basingstoke magistrates on February 1.