A MAN accused of being part of a masked gang who attacked a Southampton man in his flat told jurors: “I haven’t trespassed anyone’s property. I didn’t go into his flat at all.”

Southampton Crown Court has heard how Robert Warren was scalded with boiling water, beaten with a hammer and slashed with a machete after intruders burst into his first-floor flat in Collier Close, St Denys, and demanded money.

The prosecution alleges that Gary West and Anthony Derby were with a third man, Wayne Jackson, who remains at large. The raid had been planned with Lee Harrison, the court heard.

West told the court he had agreed to drive two friends of Jackson to south Wales to help settle a drug debt.

He said that, after dropping the friends off in Southampton, he went into the city centre to go clubbing and meet girls.

Unable to find anywhere to stay, he slept in the car but, when he woke up, he found himself alone in Collier Close.

He went looking for the men but as he returned to the car, he saw two men being chased by the police.

“I panicked because I had cannabis in the car,” he said, describing how he jumped over a fence and landed in thick mud before getting into a boat. He was later detained in Priory Road.

West, 30, Anthony Derby, 26, both from Liverpool, and Lee Harrison, 27, from Southampton, deny conspiracy to rob.

West and Derby also deny aggravated burglary and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

West, Derby and Matthew Collins, 30, also from Southampton, have pleaded not guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Proceeding