A masked raider has been found guilty of participating in a terrifying robbery at former England footballer Ashley Cole’s home, during which he threatened to cut off Cole’s fingers with pliers. Kurtis Dilks, 35, was part of a gang that broke into Cole’s £3 million mansion in Surrey on January 21, 2020, tying up Cole and his girlfriend in front of their children.
During the raid, the gang used a sledgehammer to gain entry to the house. Cole testified that he feared for his life during the attack. The intruders fled when they realized the police were on their way.
Dilks was apprehended due to DNA evidence found on the cable ties used to restrain Cole and his partner. Nottingham Crown Court was shown CCTV footage of the intruders leading Cole up and down the stairs before stealing various items, including watches, mobile phones, cash, and a BMW smart key.
Prosecutor Michael Brady QC recounted the events of the crime, stating that Cole and his girlfriend were alerted by a noise outside their home. Cole checked the CCTV system and instructed his girlfriend to call the police while she hid in a wardrobe. However, one of the robbers discovered her and took her phone. The intruder then directed her to the bedroom, where Cole was found on his knees with his hands tied behind his back.
One of the attackers demanded jewelry and watches from Cole, even threatening to cut off his fingers. Despite the aggression, the boss man among the gang prevented the attack with pliers. The robbers demanded cleaning products and sprayed Cole’s hands with Febreze before fleeing when they heard police sirens.
Dilks claimed during the trial that his DNA was found on the cable ties and a knife recovered at the scene because the items had previously been stolen from his van. However, he was found guilty along with five others involved in a series of robberies and burglaries between October 2018 and January 2020.
In addition to the charges related to Cole’s home invasion, Dilks, Ashley Cumberpatch, and Andrew MacDonald were also found guilty of stealing the Portland Diamond tiara, worth £3.5 million. The tiara, which was worn at the coronation of Edward VII, has never been recovered since it was stolen in 2018 from the Harley Gallery in Worksop.
The court described the theft of the tiara as a shocking event, emphasizing that it and its associated brooch will never be seen in their original state again.
The sentencing for Dilks and his accomplices will take place at a later date. Meanwhile, Ashley Cole and his family continue to recover from the traumatic robbery that left them fearing for their lives.
