Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 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

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×