An armed gang wielding a machete, a "Rambo" knife and a cosh, raided a house in Gillingham after using a man as a battering ram it has been alleged.

During the 90 second attack on October 21 last year, a baby was knocked out of its buggy and injured Maidstone Crown Court has heard.

Father Gary Lamb and wife Michelle were also hurt in the incident, part of which was caught on CCTV near James Street.

Benjamin Nwojeh; 20, of Harper Road, Southwark, Kieran Appiah, 18, of Mount Nod Road, Streatham and Leonard Warner, 19, of Aylesbury, Bucks, have all denied robbing two youngsters of their mountain bikes in Hilly Fields Park in Parr Avenue, Gillingham.

Nwojeh and Warner have also pleaded not guilty to robbing a family in James Street, Gillingham, of their life savings of between £600 to £1,000.

Prosecutor Ed Fowler claimed that a man nicknamed "Ginge" had delivered a bed protector to the home of Michelle and Gary Lamb.

He claimed that minutes later a gang - all wearing white latex gloves - "effectively used Ginge as a human battering ram to force their way inside."

After striking Mr Lamb with the cosh they demanded cash and cannabis and then Mrs Lamb was also hit as she tried to defend herself.

The prosecutor said it was only after the men fled that the couple noticed the buggy overturned and the one-year-old baby crying with bumps on its head.

All three defendants were wearing masks as they sat in the Covid19- compliant dock at court.

And behind them are three security staff, all masked and wearing a plastic apron and gloves.

The eight man-four woman jury were chosen by ballot as they sat in another part of the building.

They were then led into court where they sat behind special perspex screens containing anti-bacterial wipes and bottles of water.

Eight of the jurors are placed in the former jury box with their colleagues sitting several feet away, again behind screens.

Those who chose to swear their oath were shown a Bible, held by an usher asked if they were content to repeat the oath.

The courtroom scene resembles a High Street post office, with the juror's number posted in front of them.

Four barristers, who are not masked in court, also sit behind screens attached to the front on the bench with two in each row separated by screens.

All the court documents - including the jury folders - were treated with anti-bacterial wipes and quarantined days before the trial began.

After each person gave evidence the witness box was wiped down and fresh exhibits produced

The jury then heard details of the allegation of how two teenagers were allegedly forced to hand over their mountain bikes - and then shown footage of men riding the stolen bikes in Gillingham.

The trial continues and the jury are expected to retire to consider their verdict today.

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