A MAN alleged to have robbed a Basingstoke drug dealer threw him to the floor before 'kicking and punching' him, a court has heard.

In August last year Jordan Clarke, of no fixed abode, was found not guilty of murdering 22-year-old Troy Harkness.

Mr Harkness was found seriously injured in Abbey Road, near the junction with Popley Way, on January 19, 2022.

He was taken to Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Now, Mr Harkness’s brother, Reece Harkness, has gone on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of conspiracy to rob Mr Clarke on the same day.

Reece Harkness, 20, of Cleaver Road, Buckskin, denies the offence. Another man Zack Mason, 20, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to the offence in January.

READ MORE: Popley murder: Defendant claims he ‘gave up’ chasing murder victim who ‘had a knife in his waistband’

On Tuesday, February 7, a trial at Winchester Crown Court started where Reece Harkness stands accused of conspiring to commit robbery.

On the same date, a key witness who watched the altercation from a window, Britney Flood, gave her evidence. Her police interview was played in the courtroom.

During the interview, she said: "Zack knows Jordan a lot better than what he was saying, Jordan was his weed dealer he owed him £100 or something. He basically planned to rob him with Troy and Reece. Troy and Reece were up for it and then they told Jordan that he had his money for him.

SEE ALSO: Popley murder trial: Troy Harkness died from two stab wounds and 'catastrophic blood loss' after stealing drugs

"They were going to meet him outside. Eventually, Jordan rang my buzzer saying he was downstairs, so they went down to see him. I was watching from the window and then they were right outside my door. When Jordan started backing away from them, I believe it was Reece who threw him down to the ground and then all three of them were punching and kicking him."

In the police interview, she went on to tell the officer that she was scared as her children were inside the address, as Mr Clarke started banging on the door asking for his drugs back.

She continued: "I am panicking for my kids and Zack keeps shouting 'I don’t have your stuff go find Reece and Troy'. I could tell that Zack was panicking a lot and he was shaking himself."

The trial continues.