A BUS driver was robbed by two men who threatened to gun him down if he alerted the police, a court was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Stephen Almond, who works for Stagecoach, knew one of the culprits, Andrew Cushman, who told him: "You must be loaded, you must have loads in the bank."

Cushman, who picked up a brick and threw it several times in the air, told his frightened victim he was getting him 'stressed' and demanded he hand over his cash.

Cushman, 27, of Windermere Road, Padiham, denied robbery, in April.

The prosecution told the court Mr Almond had worked a shift and been to his girlfriend's.

As he walked back to the bus station from a pen where he kept animals, he saw a car with two people in.

He recognised one as Cushman, who he knew formerly through CB radio and the defendant asked what he was doing. When Cushman was told he was a bus driver, he replied: "You must be loaded. You must have loads in the bank."

Mr Almond began to feel uncomfortable as Cushman moved a little too close to him. He started to walk away, but felt he was being followed.

Cushman asked to borrow £20, said Mr Almond must have money in his bag and then told the victim all he wanted was a tenner.

The car passenger, Mark Winchester, told Cushman to get money off Mr Almond and Cushman allegedly told him: "If you go to the police I will find you with my mates and gun you down."

Cash was again demanded and Cushman picked up a brick and threw it in the air several times. By this stage, Mr Almond was extremely frightened and dropped his bag.

Cushman started shouting and swearing and told Mr Almond: "You are getting me stressed. Just give me the money."

The jury heard Cushman then got £5 from Mr Almond's change-giver and said it was all he wanted. Mr Almond, worried it was his bosses' cash, offered to hand over a cheque.

Winchester then jumped up after getting out of the car and grabbed a bag containing £135 off Mr Almond. At that stage Cushman apparently told his accomplice: "No, forget it. Give it him back," and Mr Almond ran off and contacted police.

Cushman was interviewed, accepted he was at the scene and asked for £10. He said he had borrowed £5 and was going to give it back to Mr Almond. He claimed money discussions about the car had taken place.

(Proceeding)

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