Two footballers 'involved in Corkman murder raid'

Two footballers provided valuable inside information to raiders in a payroll robbery that ended in murder, the Old Bailey in London heard today.

Corkman Thomas Fahey was shot in the chest at close range as he chased robbers after a failed raid on his brother’s roofing business, said Mark Dennis, QC, prosecuting.

The raiders had been told when pay day was and how to get into the inconspicuous business offices in Streatham, south London, he alleged.

Semi-pro footballer Carl Gibbs, who played for non-league Farnborough at the time, was working for the company, said Mr Dennis.

With fellow team member Ashley Sestanovich, a close acquaintance of one of the raiders, they provided “all important information and were well aware that firearms would be used to carry out the robbery”.

The two robbers, Hallroy Reid and Damion Ennis, had expected to net the £11,000 (€16,400) wages for the 30 employees, but the money was still locked in a car boot.

As they searched the offices, the two robbers became increasingly edgy. When Mr Fahey, who was on a fleeting visit to see his brother, stood up, one called to his accomplice to shoot him.

The gunman, alleged to be Reid, responded by saying: “Search him.” Mr Fahey stood up to the other robber and knocked his hand away as he reached for a pocket where his mobile phone was ringing, said Mr Dennis.

Reid then allegedly fired but missed, he told jurors.

As they ran away empty-handed, he said: “Thomas Fahey and the others bravely gave chase. At that point the gunman (Reid) turned and fired directly at him. The bullet passed through his body.”

Mr Fahey spent the next six months in hospital and died in January this year, said Mr Dennis.

Reid (aged 40), from Battersea, and Ennis, from Tulse Hill, both in south London, have admitted conspiracy to rob the premises in May last year. Both deny murder.

Sestanovich (aged 26), from Clapham and Gibbs (aged 26), from Beckenham, also south London, deny a single charge of conspiracy to rob.