A MAN whose house was invaded by masked robbers in a raid that left a man dead said the cash stolen was from his dad’s inheritance, a court has heard.

Glen Mottram arrived at his home in The Drive, Hullbridge, with family and friends when they were met by two men in balaclavas, one of whom was armed with a gun, the prosecution say.

The court heard during the incident, on March 19 last year, Tim Smith, a friend of Mr Mottram’s, was allegedly shoved by one suspect, causing him to fall to the ground and suffer a fatal head injury.

It is the crown’s case that the robbers then demanded Mr Mottram hand over “what they had come for” before they left with a holdall full of cash.

Mr Mottram said there was about £5,000 in the bag. Taking the stand behind screens at Basildon Crown Court yesterday, Mr Mottram described the incident as “pandemonium”.

The court heard how he was interviewed as a witness and under caution in relation to the amount of cash alleged to be in his home.

Reading from a police interview given by Mr Mottram, defence barrister Richard Christie said: “When you were under arrest, police said ‘you’re sitting there because we think you’re into something absolutely on the wrong side of the law’.

“They asked if this was part of something bigger and you replied no comment. Were you engaged in criminal activity?”

Judge John Lodge interrupted the cross-examination to remind Mr Mottram that he is not obliged to answer questions that may result in self-incrimination.

Mr Mottram said: “Under advice I have been given, I choose not to answer that question.”

Mr Christie then suggested that Mr Mottram had lied about it being left over from a £25,000 inheritance from his father. He added: “All the money was left to your mother and she is still alive and was the sole beneficiary on your father’s will. There was no inheritance for you.”

Mr Mottram said: “There was money left to me by my father. It sounds ridiculous but it was left in the garage.”

Colin Garrod, 50, of Crowborough Road, Southend, and Andrew McVicar, 33, of Dewsgreen, Basildon, are charged with manslaughter, the robbery of Glen Mottram and possession of an imitation firearm.

Jamie Caborn, 28, of Luncies Road, Basildon, faces a charge of being in possession of criminal property. All three men deny all charges. The trial continues