A GRANDFATHER was killed after being shoved into a wall by two masked gunmen, a court heard.

Colin Garrod and Andrew McVicar deny manslaughter after 57-year-old Timothy Smith hit his head on a low wall during an alleged robbery.

Garrod, 51, of Crowborough Road, Southend, and McVicar, 35, of Dewsgreen, Basildon, also deny possession of an imitation firearm and affray.

Mark Milliken-Smith QC, prosecuting, at Basildon Crown Court, told the jury Glen Mottram and his long-term partner Ashleigh Lowe were in the Anchor pub when they met up with the victim Tim Smith and his wife Leslie Pighini.

Mr Milliken-Smith said: “A little before 11pm Mr Mottram and Ms Lowe decided to go home.

“As Mr Smith and Ms Pighini lived locally and would be walking past Mr Mottram’s home, they were offered a lift as far as The Drive which they accepted.”

The jury, of seven women and five men yesterday heard when they arrived at Mr Mottram’s home, the group were ambushed by two masked men.

Mr Milliken-Smith said: “The two men, who we say were Colin Garrod and Andrew McVicar, were wearing balaclavas and one of them was brandishing a gun.

“They were plainly dressed to terrify and gave the impression to all who weren’t in on their plan that they were robbers who were prepared to use violence to achieve it.”

The court heard during the course of the robbery, one of the men pushed Mr Smith while ushering the group into the house, causing him to fall and suffer a fatal head injury.

Mr Milliken-Smith told the jury the men were not on trial for robbery and that it did not matter if this was a robbery or a set-up by homeowner Glen Mottram.

He added: “We may never know.

“Whether it was a real robbery or not is not a matter you will have to decide.

“These men are on trial for the unlawful killing of Tim Smith.”

The court heard the two defendants left Mr Smith, of Alfreda Avenue, Hullbridge, on the floor while they demanded Mr Mottram give them what they had come for.

After being directed to a holdall in the bathroom, the two men dragged Mr Smith into the home before fleeing with the bag.

The incident took place in The Drive, Hullbridge on March 19 last year.

The defendants deny being the masked gunmen in the house.

They have admitted coming into possession of a quantity of cash taken during the raid after it took place.

Mr Smith was rushed to hospital but died from catastrophic head injuries the following day.

In the days after the raid, Garrod bought a new phone and deposited large quantities of cash into his bank account, the court heard.

McVicar spent almost £3,000 on designer clothes in the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon and Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock.

The trial, which is taking place before judge John Lodge and is expected to last four weeks, continues.