The gang accused of murdering a father in a violent robbery just yards from his Sedgley home had struck in the town less than three weeks previously, a court heard.
Glenda Willis was attacked in an alleyway near Ladies Walk on March 30 last year. The body of Andrew Owen, who lived at Viewfield Crescent, was discovered on grassland known as Coronation Gardens in the early hours of April 15.
Gabriel Bhengu and Jabu Mbowane, both aged 26, deny murdering Mr Owen and Telford man Neil Williams. Kashia Allen, aged 22, denies murdering Mr Owen, who was 42.
Allen and Bhengu have also pleaded not guilty to five counts of robbery, while Mbowane denies four.Mrs Willis, giving evidence at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, said it was a “nice sunny night” when she was walking home after shopping at the Co-op.
She left the store just after 6pm walked through the alleyway towards Ladies Walk when she saw two men, one taller than the other.
Mrs Willis told the court: “When the taller one got level, I felt his arm around my neck and the other one went for my handbag.”
The court heard the victim was dragged to the ground by one of her attackers, said to be Bhengu, while the other, said to be Mbowane, ripped the handbag from her grasp with such force that it came away from the strap.
She told the court: “After the attack I looked up and saw the blue sky and I thought, ‘I’m alive’. I didn’t think I would be.”
The court heard Mrs Willis then returned to the Co-op and police were called. Her handbag was recovered at Shifnal police station later but several items, including cash and a watch, were missing, Mr Roger Smith, prosecuting, said.
The court had earlier heard testimony from victims of the first two alleged robberies who both said they were held round the throat before their handbags were stolen.
The trial continues.
Share this article:
What are these?