A man accused of a knifepoint robbery has told a jury he was tucked up in bed at the time.

Mark Perrett, 35, is one of two men on trial at the city's crown court.

Both he and 28-year-old Carl Pattie deny robbing and stealing belongings from Frank Richey in the early hours of January 13.

Mr Richey has told a jury two masked men burst into his city home, taking turns to subdue him with a blade and Taser while ransacking the property.

He said he recognised Pattie was one of the men after a disguise slipped from the front of his face. However, Pattie, of Botcherby Avenue, has denied any involvement.

On day three of the hearing, Perrett took to the stand and maintained he had nothing to do with the alleged incident.

The court has heard that a fingerprint belonging to Perrett was found on a bottle of aftershave at Mr Richey's house. This was located inside a "bag for life" which is said to have been moved by the offenders, ready to steal, but ultimately abandoned.

In the witness box, Perrett admitted the aftershave had been his.

When asked where he got it from, he replied: "I shoplifted it. It was October time."

Perrett claimed that he gave it away after Christmas to his friend, Pattie, who in turn then sold it to Mr Richey.

He was asked whether the "only way" his fingerprint could have got on to the bottle was during the alleged robbery.

"No, that's not true," Perrett replied.

He claimed to have been asleep at his mother's Botcherby home on the night of January 12, before waking at about 8am the following morning. He was the only person present.


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His lawyer Philip Andrews asked: "Where you involved in the robbery at Mr Richey's in any way, shape or form?"

"No, I wasn't," replied Perrett, of Borland Avenue, Carlisle.

"Did you ever attend his house on that night, or any night?" asked Mr Andrews.

Perrett responded: "No."

Mr Andrews added: "Did you know about any robbery before you were arrested?"

"No, I didn't. No," said Perrett.

He said nothing to police who interviewed him twice. Asked why, he replied: "My legal representative advised me to go 'no comment'."

The trial continues.