A WOMAN was threatened by a man accused of attempted murder, a court has heard.

Millionaire insurance director Timothy Mardon was shot in his Old Rectory Home, in Sible Hedingham, during an alleged burglary which began at about 4.30am on February 6.

Charlie Simms, 23, of North Road, Great Yeldham, is on trial for attempted murder.

Simms is also charged, alongside Kalebh Shreeve, 24, of Gibson Road, Sible Hedingham, and Christoper Bergin, 27, of Hawkwood Road, Halstead, with aggravated burglary, wounding with intent, possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The trio deny all the charges.

Yesterday, Chelmsford Crown Court court heard a woman had spent time with the defendants before and after the incident.

It is alleged the defendants, first Shreeve and later Simms and Bergin, had left the woman - whose identity has been protected by a court order - before later returning.

She told the court Simms had then threatened to hurt a member of her family “if you tell anyone”.

She claimed to not realise what he was referring to at the time but later believed he had been referring to the attack on Mr Mardon, 47.

She admitted to the court this was not made clear by Simms.

The threat was allegedly made shortly after the raid and shooting.

The jury also heard another defendant asked the same woman to provide a false alibi for him.

It is alleged Bergin asked the woman to tell police he had been with her on the night of the raid.

But even though the woman refused, Bergin still attempted to rely on her as an alibi.

During video evidence played to the jury she explained how she refused to lie for him and told police Bergin and Simms had gone out together in the early hours of February 6.

The court previously heard how Mr Mardon was shot through his bathroom door after intruders demanded “weed money”.

They eventually escaped with a rare watch and cash.

The six-week trial continues.