Ashley Cole thought ‘I am going to die’ as he was tied up by robbers

FORMER ENGLAND footballer Ashley Cole told police “I knew now, I am going to die” as masked raiders smashed into his home and tied his hands while he was holding his young daughter, a court has heard.

Nottingham Crown Court was shown footage of the ex-Arsenal, Chelsea and Derby defender recalling how a minimum of four men broke into his Surrey home in January 2020 shortly after he had settled down to watch Netflix.

Mr Cole told police: “I was on my knees, waiting to either be killed... I’ll never see my kids again.”

Kurtis Dilks, 34, is charged with being part of the gang who allegedly smashed their way into Mr Cole and his partner Sharon Canu’s home with a sledgehammer and threatened to cut off the ex-footballer’s fingers.

Mr Cole said he had just got back from work with Chelsea’s under-15s before hearing a “banging sound”.

The former England defender then appeared to get emotional as he put his hands on his face, before saying: “I said it wouldn’t affect me, but Jesus.”

Continuing to recall what happened, Mr Cole said: “I was on my knees, waiting to either be killed... I’ll never see my kids again, and I just heard lots of footsteps running up the stairs.

“Obviously before that I heard the window smash.

“I was being brave, I didn’t want to show our daughter that I was scared for our lives.”

Dilks 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.

Nine other men are also on trial for their alleged part in the series of “ruthlessly executed” burglaries – including the theft of a £3.5m tiara.

The hearing continues.