A JURY trying an alleged gang of bank robbers heard a sports car was parked outside their supposed safe house.

Four Birmingham men are accused of using a high-performance Mitsubishi Evolution to steal £75,000 from the Halifax Bank in Newport.

The prosecution claim a house in Hillview Crescent, Pontfaen, Newport, was used to store the car later used in the robbery. Securicor guard Roy Grey, 56, was shot in the leg during the robbery.

The prosecution allege Ryan 'G-Man' Gamble, 23, Leroy 'Munch' Davidson, 22, Daniel 'Dan Dan' Nelson, 27, and Mikhail 'Macky' Sinclair, 20, carried out the raid on the morning of April 11 last year.

Cardiff crown court yesterday heard from Jenna Foster, who lived at the house alleged to have been used by the men. Miss Foster said she saw a "sporty dark-blue car" at the house on April 9 last year.

Gamble, of Wilmcote Tower, Highgate, Davidson, of Ensdon Grove, and Nelson, of Wellesley Gardens, deny conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to rob. Jurors were told Sinclair of Tower Road, Erdington has pleaded guilty to both charges.

All four deny wounding Mr Grey with intent. Gamble is also charged with possessing a firearm with criminal intent.

The trial continues.