Former Newcastle United footballer relives gunpoint robbery bid in court

Andy Carroll from Gateshead says a motorbike pulled up next to his car at the traffic lights and demanded he hand over his watch. Credit: PA

Former Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll has told a jury of his terror as a gun-wielding motorbike rider tried to rob him of his £22,000 wristwatch as he drove home from training.

The 6ft 4in footballer from Gateshead, was returning home from the West Ham training ground, where he currently plays, when he was chased by two motorcycles, Basildon Crown Court heard.

Jack O'Brien, 22, denies attempting to rob the England-capped 28-year-old on November 2 2016.

In a frantic 999 call played to the jury, Premier League player Carroll said:

As beeping is heard in the background, Carroll says to the operator:

The recording of the call continues.

Andy Carroll arrives at the West Ham training ground while still on the phone to emergency services.

He tells the operator there are security staff there.

Carroll was on his way home from the West Ham training ground where he now plays Credit: PA

Prosecutor Simon Gladwell told the court that two bikers chased Carroll after one approached him at a set of traffic lights in Romford Road, Hainault, north-east London, and demanded his watch.

Carroll told the jury:

He said to start with he "didn't know if it was a joke" but, when he did a U-turn, both bikes turned and followed him.

Carroll used his hands to show jurors how the motorbike rider allegedly gestured for him to surrender his watch, and he also showed a gun gesture.

O'Brien sat beside a female officer in the secure dock and Carroll avoided his gaze as he gave evidence.

Mr Gladwell said Carroll was "beeping at other cars and driving on the wrong side of the road to get away".

Carroll told the court:

In the 999 call Carroll struggles to recognise road names, as the operator reassures him that police are not far away.

At one point he tells the call handler: "I'm a Premier League footballer."

Michael Edmonds, defending, said O'Brien, of Navarre Gardens, Romford, east London, was not the motorbike rider.

He said O'Brien had used the bike, jacket and helmet for crime before, but that it was not him using the motorbike on this occasion.

The trial, estimated to last three days, continues.