A Premier League soccer legend was tied up and threatened with having his fingers cut off in a violent home invasion, court hears

• A gang of four allegedly smashed their way into the home of Ashley Cole with a sledgehammer two years ago.
• The former Chelsea star was allegedly threatened with torture as the gang stole valuable items.

The former Premier League and England defender Ashley Cole was threatened with having his fingers cut off with pliers during a violent burglary at his home, a court has heard.

According to several outlets, including the BBC and Sky Sports, Nottingham Crown Court was told Monday that in January 2020 a gang of four men smashed their way into the home of Cole and his partner Sharon Canu with a sledgehammer before stealing mobile phones, jewelry, and the key to a BMW.

Cole, who played for both Arsenal and Chelsea during an illustrious soccer career, was tied up with a cable-tie and led around his house in just a pair of shorts during break-in, the court was told. Cole and Canu's two young children were also present during the home invasion.

Prosecutor Michael Brady QC said Canu had hidden in a wardrobe with her son to phone the police, but was discovered by one of the assailants.

"The next thing Ms. Canu knew was when one of the robbers opened the wardrobe door and took the phone from her while she was talking to the police," said Brady, per Sky Sports.

"She then saw Mr. Cole on his knees with his hands tied behind his back."

The court was then told that one of the men then threatened to torture Cole with a pair of pliers, saying: "Let's cut his fingers."

Canu was also threatened with a knife after initially refusing to have her hands bound, said Brady.

A total of 11 defendants are facing various charges at Nottingham Crown Court for a series of "ruthlessly executed" burglaries across Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, reports the Nottingham Post.

Just one of the 11 defendants in the trial, Kurtis Dilks, is accused of taking part in the robbery of Cole's home

Dilks is also alleged to have been part of a group that raided the home for the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tom Huddlestone in May 2019, and is further facing accusations of being part of a six-strong gang alleged to have stolen a tiara worn by the Duchess of Portland at the 1902 coronation of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

The Portland Tiara was taken along with a diamond-encrusted brooch from the Welbeck Estate in November 2018, according to the BBC.

The items, which have combined value of about $4.2 million, have never been recovered.

The defendants deny all charges, per the Guardian, and the trial is ongoing.