Robber threatened to cut Ashley Cole’s fingers off with pliers during break-in

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “She then saw Mr Cole on his knees with his hands tied behind his back.” Mr Brady said Ms Canu became increasingly concerned after she spotted one of the intruders with a “huge hammer” as Mr Cole was taken from the bedroom by the robbers. “Mr Cole’s head was pushed further forward, and he was told to put his hands behind his back at which point he became aware of Ms Canu at the bedroom door.” Mr Brady told jurors Ms Canu’s hands were then bound together by black cable ties. “The man said, ‘Do you want that?’ – meaning the knife.” Mr Brady said the robbers were making demands for jewellery from Mr Cole and where the safes were. “Despite the efforts of the stocky robber to attack him with pliers, the robber who Mr Cole described as the ‘boss man’, the one who had first approached him in his bedroom and grabbed his neck, prevented the attack from going ahead.” Mr Brady said the robbers then demanded bleach and cleaning products, before one “sprayed Mr Cole’s hands with Febreze”.