Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Monday, Jul 07, 2025

Ashley Cole robbery: Accused blames DNA link on stolen items

Ashley Cole robbery: Accused blames DNA link on stolen items

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 accused of being part of a gang that used a sledgehammer to smash into Mr Cole and Sharon Canu's home in Surrey on 21 January 2020.

Mr Dilks told a jury he was "most certainly not" involved in the robbery.

At Nottingham Crown Court, nine other men are also on trial over a series of "ruthlessly executed" burglaries.

The majority of the charges relate to the theft of the £3.5m Portland tiara from the Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire.

Kurtis Dilks is also accused of conspiring to rob the wife of former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tom Huddlestone on 1 May 2019


Giving evidence on Monday, Mr Dilks said he told police he felt "sick" when he was informed his DNA was found on items from the scene and that he believed somebody was framing him.

Jurors were previously shown interview footage of Mr Cole telling police "I knew now, I am going to die", as he recalled masked raiders breaking into his home.

Mr Cole said his hands were tied while he was holding his young daughter and the gang threatened to cut his fingers off with pliers.

Mr Dilks' defence barrister, Simon Eckersley, asked the defendant if he went into Mr Cole's house or was if he was involved in the planning or commissioning of the robbery.

The 34-year-old answered "no" or "most definitely not" to the questions.

Mr Eckersley questioned him over his alleged involvement in the theft of the tiara, which he denied


Mr Eckersley said the court had heard his DNA was found on a knife recovered outside Mr Cole's home on a walkway, and also on a cable tie that was found on the kitchen table.

Mr Dilks said: "The only aspect I can believe is those items were stolen out of my van.

"It's something I don't do every day, to check everything is there. I would only check if I needed to use the item."

Mr Eckersley also questioned him over his alleged involvement in the theft of the tiara, which he denied.

Mr 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.


The defendants and charges


*  Matthew Johnson, 35, of Kingsthorpe Close in Nottingham. He is accused of one count of conspiracy to commit burglary and one count of converting criminal property

*  Darren Stokes, 32, of Staunton Drive in Nottingham. He is accused of one count of converting criminal property

*  Ashley Cumberpatch, 36, previously of First Avenue in Carlton, Nottinghamshire. He is accused of three counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, five counts of converting criminal property, and three counts of conspiracy to commit robbery

*  Adrian Eddishaw, 34, of Northall Avenue in Bulwell, Nottingham. He is accused of one count of conspiracy to commit burglary and one count of converting criminal property

*  Andrew MacDonald, 42, of no fixed address. He is accused of three counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, five counts of converting criminal property, and three counts of conspiracy to commit robbery

*  Kurtis Dilks, 34, of Whitegate Vale in Clifton, Nottingham. He is accused of three counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, four counts of converting criminal property, three counts of conspiracy to commit robbery, and two counts of robbery

*  Christopher Yorke, 50, of Rose Ash Lane in Nottingham. He is accused of one count of converting criminal property

*  Gordon Thornhill, 49, of Mosswood Crescent in Nottingham. He is accused of one count of converting criminal property

*  Tevfik Guccuk, 41, of Houndsden Road, Southgate, London. He is accused of five counts of converting criminal property

*  Sercan Evsin, 27, of Meadow Close in Barnet. He is accused of four counts of converting criminal property

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Germany Seeks Taliban Deal to Deport Afghan Migrants
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Qatar Airways Clears Backlog of Passengers Following Missile Threats
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
×