A robber threatened to cut off the fingers of former Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole during a terrifying burglary at his home in 2020, a court has heard.
Kurtis Dilks, 34, allegedly spearheaded a gang of four people who forced their way into Cole's home on January 21, 2020, with the group not deterred by Cole shouting at them from the inside.
Cole is said to have been led around his home with his hands cable-tied around his back, with Nottingham Crown Court being told that the group made off with a BMW Smart Key, a Gucci bag, mobile phones and watches.
Cole was allegedly at home with his wife Sharon Canu and two children at the time of the incident, with Canu attempting to call the police from her hiding spot in the wardrobe before being discovered by the gang.
The court heard how Canu stood up to the robbers before being threatened with a knife, and one member of the gang armed with pliers threatened to cut Cole's fingers during the break-in.
Dilks, Ashley Cumberpatch and Andrew MacDonald are also accused of conducting a similar raid on Tom Huddlestone's house, and a total of 11 people are on trial for their alleged role in the string of burglaries.
All 11 deny the allegations against them. The trial continues.
Ben Knapton
