AN ALLEGED accomplice was a "key player" in planning a "professional robbery" from his prison cell, a court hears.

Christopher Doughty appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday, January 4 for his trial where he stands accused of conspiring with Eriks Valants and Jed Martin to rob the home of Susan Hunt in Leckford on March 23, 2020.

As previously reported Mrs Hunt, an elderly woman, was bound to her stairs and had a pillowcase thrown over her head while men ransacked her home, stealing family heirlooms including a Military Cross medal.

The 72-year-old was in bed at around 2.30am, when she was woken by masked men, shining a torch into her face and asking her for the code for her safe.

They then walked her down the stairs, putting black tape around her hands – tying her to the bannister – before putting a pillowcase over her head.

In April 2021, Valants and Martin were jailed for 10 years for the terrifying ordeal, which left Mrs Hunt frightened to live in her home.

Prosecuting Andrew Houston said: "This is a case about a robbery of an old lady. She was subjected to a robbery at her home in the early hours of the morning. Two men have pleaded guilty to that robbery. What was taken was about a quarter of a million pounds.

"The defendant, we say, was not someone who was there on the night. He was inside Erlestoke Prison and we say he has encouraged and assisted that crime to take place. He did that inside his prison cell. We say his role was effectively the consultant to the two men who tied up Ms Hunt."

The court heard that a number of calls were made from phones linked to Doughty to Valants and Martin on the days leading up to the robbery. Martin was a previous cellmate of Doughty, while Valants was in a relationship with Doughty's granddaughter.

Mr Houston added: "This robbery was highly professional and that profession is something we return to because it would not be carried out without a degree of thought and planning.

"The items stolen have not been recovered. In order to commit an offence like this you have to plan.

"Anyone doing a burglary or robbery would prepare on the ground and perfect planning and preparation mean a perfect performance."

Houston said Doughty was a "key player" in executing the crime.

The trial continues.