Accused man claims he’s being framed over footballer robbery

A courier accused of robbing former England footballer Ashley Cole has claimed DNA linking him to the scene was found on items stolen from his van.

Kurtis Dilks is charged with being part of a fourstrong gang who allegedly smashed their way into the home of Mr Cole and his partner Sharon Canu with a sledgehammer, and threatened to cut his fingers off with pliers.

Yesterday, the 34-yearold defendant told a jury at Nottingham Crown Court he was “most certainly not” involved in the robbery in Fetcham, Surrey, on January 21 2020.

The court heard Dilks claim that somebody was “framing” him.

Jurors were previously shown footage of exChelsea, Arsenal and Derby County defender Cole telling police “I knew now, I am going to die”, as he recalled masked raiders breaking into his home and tying his hands while he was holding his young daughter.

Defence barrister Simon Eckersley asked Dilks: “Were you involved in the planning of that robbery?”

“Most certainly not,” Dilks replied.

Mr Eckersley asked: “Were you involved in the actual commission of the robbery?”

“No.”

“Were you one of the men who went in (to the house)?”

“Most definitely not.” The barrister continued: “We have heard that DNA material was found on two items – first is a knife which was outside the address on the walkway, and also one of the cable ties that was recovered from the kitchen table.

“Was that DNA found on those two items because you robbed Ashley Cole and Sharon Canu?”

“No, that wasn’t the case,” Dilks replied. “The only aspect I can believe is those items were stolen out of my van.”

Dilks is further accused of conspiring to rob the wife of former Tottenham Hotspur player Tom Huddlestone on May 1 2019. Dilks, of Clifton, Nottingham, faces three charges of conspiracy to commit burglary, four charges of converting criminal property, three charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and two counts of robbery. He denies all charges. The trial continues.

Ashley Cole.