A court heard on Monday that a thief threatened to cut off Ashley Cole’s fingers with pliers during a violent break-in at his home. During a burglary in January 2020, 41-year-old Cole was led around the house in just a pair of shorts.
He is charged with being part of a four-strong gang that broke into Cole’s house with a large sledgehammer. Cole, who played for Arsenal and Chelsea, was led down the stairs by intruders.
It was shown to the court that cable ties were used to keep Cole and his partner, Sharon Canu, from moving their hands.
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People in the court were told that cash, cell phones, and watches were stolen during the break-in.
Dilks is accused of robbing Cole and Ms. Canu and allegedly breaking into the home of former Tottenham and Derby midfielder Tom Huddlestone with two other defendants.
Defence lawyer Michael Brady said that even though Cole was home with his family, “the robbers were not deterred by his presence.”
He also said that. His partner, Cole, told her to call the police. She did after hiding in a wardrobe.
One of the burglars opened the wardrobe door and took the phone from Ms. Canu while she was talking to the police.
Followed after the intruder and was told by the man who took her phone to go to the bedroom where Mr. Cole was, without saying a word.”
The prosecutor said: “She then saw Mr. Cole on the ground with his hands tied behind his back.”
Afterwards, Brady said that Canu’s hands were tied together with black cable ties.
He said, “The man asked, “Do you want that?” – referring to the knife.
In the same way, Brady said, “Mr. Cole’s hands were also tied behind his back with cable ties.”
Mr. Cole mentioned that one of the attackers had a large build and an Irish accent. “Let’s cut his fingers,” he said.
His tools were in his hands at the time.
“No matter how hard the thief tried to use pliers on him, the thief who Mr. Cole called the “boss man,” the one who first came into his bedroom and grabbed his neck, stopped the attack.”
