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Raid accused 'was watching film' Raid accused 'was watching film'
(about 2 hours later)
A man accused of involvement in the Securitas raid has told a court he was at home eating an Indian takeaway and watching a DVD when the raid happened. A man accused of involvement in the £53m Securitas raid has told a court he was at home eating an Indian takeaway and watching a DVD when it happened.
Lea Rusha, 35, of Southborough, Kent, a cage fighter, said he had a vindaloo and watched a film.Lea Rusha, 35, of Southborough, Kent, a cage fighter, said he had a vindaloo and watched a film.
He denied being involved in the kidnapping and abduction of Securitas depot manager Colin Dixon, his wife and child, and the Tonbridge depot robbery. He denied any knowledge of the heist despite the court being told that his DNA was on a balaclava discovered in a van containing £1.3m in cash and a gun.
Six other men deny a series of charges in relation to the £53m heist in 2006. Six other men deny a series of charges in relation to the robbery in 2006.
Mr Rusha said after having an argument with a friend on 20 February 2006 he spent the rest of the day "drowning his sorrows" in a pub in Tunbridge Wells.Mr Rusha said after having an argument with a friend on 20 February 2006 he spent the rest of the day "drowning his sorrows" in a pub in Tunbridge Wells.
'Stinking hangover''Stinking hangover'
He said he woke up on 21 February, the day of the robbery, nursing a "stinking hangover".He said he woke up on 21 February, the day of the robbery, nursing a "stinking hangover".
Mr Rusha said at 1830 GMT that night and he ordered an Indian takeaway and then watched a film. Mr Rusha said he ordered the takeaway at 1830 GMT.
His barrister Graeme Wilson said: "At 6.30pm Mr Dixon was kidnapped." His barrister Graeme Wilson said: "To sum up the prosecution, they say you are the main man in this case. They say you are a planner, a kidnapper and a robber and have been involved in the disposal of the proceeds.
Mr Rusha said: "OK". "What do you say about the prosecution's accusations?"
Mr Wilson said: "Mrs Dixon and the child were kidnapped at 8.40pm." "It's a joke," Mr Rusha replied.
He replied: "OK." "Are you guilty or not guilty of the offences the prosecution say you are guilty of?" asked Mr Wilson.
Mr Wilson said "Where were you at these times?" "Not guilty", Mr Rusha said.
Mr Rusha replied: "Indoors, at home in Lambersart Close." Earlier he was asked why a black balaclava containing his DNA was found in the back of a white Transit van that was discovered at Ashford International Hotel two days after the robbery.
Mr Wilson said "Did you take any part in the kidnap of Colin Dixon, his wife or child?" Fingerprints on plan
Mr Rusha replied: "No." The depot was the scene of the UK's biggest ever cash robberyA Skorpion machine pistol, a bulletproof vest and £1.3m in cash from the robbery were also found in the vehicle.
Mr Wilson said: "Were you ever part of any robbery of the Securitas depot?" Mr Rusha said the only suggestion he could make was that his DNA had somehow got on the item when he got into the van to check a sample of cannabis he was planning to buy from the van's owner a week earlier.
"No," replied Mr Rusha. The defendant was also asked why his fingerprints were found on a plan of the Securitas depot found at his home.
He said he spotted the plan in the boot of a Mercedes car he borrowed from his employer some time before Christmas 2005.
Mr Rusha, a former roofer, said he assumed it was some sort of building design, put it in his trouser pocket and thought nothing more about it.
Asked why the plan was found behind a chair in his bedroom, he said: "My only explanation is that I threw the jeans on the back of the chair and the piece of paper must have fallen out and gone behind the chair."
Conspiracy chargesConspiracy charges
The defendants on trial include car salesman Stuart Royle, 48, of Maidstone, Kent, and his former business partner, John Fowler, 58, of Staplehurst, Kent.The defendants on trial include car salesman Stuart Royle, 48, of Maidstone, Kent, and his former business partner, John Fowler, 58, of Staplehurst, Kent.
Also charged are former depot worker Ermir Hysenaj, 27, of Crowborough, East Sussex; Jetmir Bucpapa, 26, of Tonbridge, Kent; former roofer Lea Rusha, 35, of Southborough, Kent; and garage owner Roger Coutts, 30, of Welling, south-east London.Also charged are former depot worker Ermir Hysenaj, 27, of Crowborough, East Sussex; Jetmir Bucpapa, 26, of Tonbridge, Kent; former roofer Lea Rusha, 35, of Southborough, Kent; and garage owner Roger Coutts, 30, of Welling, south-east London.
All six deny conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to kidnap Mr Dixon and his wife and child, and conspiracy to possess firearms.All six deny conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to kidnap Mr Dixon and his wife and child, and conspiracy to possess firearms.
Signwriter Keith Borer, 53, of Maidstone, Kent, has pleaded not guilty to handling stolen money.Signwriter Keith Borer, 53, of Maidstone, Kent, has pleaded not guilty to handling stolen money.
The trial continues.The trial continues.