Mohamed Al Fayed’s daughter cleared of robbing brother

A trial was due to start in February next year but the prosecution offered no evidence in respect of all the defendants at a hearing at Guildford Crown Court on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Eloise Marshall KC told the court: “I advised the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) on quite a number of issues and ultimately the decision was made due to a combination of factors.”

She added there were difficulties around “material provided directly from the complainant himself”.

Judge Patricia Lees said: “In those circumstances then the court will enter not guilty verdicts in respect of each defendant.

“As far as they are concerned they are discharged from the court.”

Ms Fayed, of Park Lane, central London, did not attend the hearing on Wednesday but Mr Esreb, also of Park Lane, Mr Littlewood, of Haydock Road, Colburn, North Yorkshire, and Mr Bott, of Coppice Wood, County Durham, appeared via a video link.

Former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed died last year at the age of 94.

After his death, allegations emerged accusing the late businessman of sexually abusing women, many of which had been employees at Harrods.