A member of a gang which broke into the home of former England footballer Ashley Cole and threatened to cut off his fingers has been jailed for 30 years.

Kurtis Dilks, 35, was part of four-strong team that smashed into the former Premier League defender’s house wearing masks on 21 January 2020.

Dilks was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court, the sentence includes a five-year extended licence period.

The former England footballer told police he “knew” he was going to die as the raiders tied his hands behind his back despite him holding his young daughter.

He said the “terror and confusion” on his children’s faces when a gang of men smashed into his home tied him up and threatened to cut off his fingers “will never leave me”.

Cole said he had invested hugely on security at his home in Fetcham, Surrey, to the point that it makes it “feel like a fortress”, but he said he still cannot go out to the bin without a torch and his guard dog.

Related posts:

Man facing eviction after feud with neighbours waited in their home before crossbow killing, inquest told Kent variant spreads easier but doesn’t make you sicker, say researchers Over 50s and clinically vulnerable to get second vaccine dose within eight weeks Crowds of Rangers fans gather for title celebrations despite warnings from police Plymouth shooting victim Lee Martyn ‘had kindest heart’ and young daughter Sophie ‘beautiful’ Carlisle United limits fans in ground to 9,999 to avoid Plan B rules – despite not getting that many all season Pub opening hours extended to mark Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Mini manuscript written by 13-year-old Charlotte Bronte to be returned to Yorkshire home Archbishop to miss Jubilee service after catching COVID and pneumonia Shropshire shaken by 3.8 magnitude earthquake Heathrow BA check-in staff to be balloted for strike action in pay dispute Ex-cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom is 40th Tory MP to come out against PM over partygate