Two couriers were beaten, stripped and bound by armed robbers who lured them to an empty Bradford house and stole cash and their parcel van, a Court heard.

The Polish men were delivering and collecting packages across the country when they were summoned to an address in Glenbrook Drive, Lidget Green, at night and set upon by three masked men who threatened them with a gun, it is alleged.

One of the gang is said to be Mariusz Wolkowicz, 38, of Thornbury Drive, Thornbury, Bradford, who attended court in a wheelchair yesterday.

He denies robbery, possession of an imitation firearm and taking a van without authority on July 19 last year.

Prosecutor Caroline Wigin told the jury at Bradford Crown Court: “It is the Crown’s case that this man, at the time, was mobile enough to play his role in this offence of robbery.”

Jaroslaw Wilk said he and Jan Lorak had driven to England on a three-day trip to deliver and pick up parcels.

Speaking through a translator, Mr Wilk said he received a phone call, followed by a text message, asking him to collect a parcel from an address in Bradford at 9.30pm.

Mr Wilk said he stayed in the van while Mr Lorak rang the bell, received no answer, and went round to the back of the house. As he went to follow him, he heard shouting. Mr Lorak was being beaten up by three men in balaclavas.

The court heard that the robbers threatened Mr Lorak: “If you don’t shut up, I’ll blow your head off.”

Mr Wilk said he was caught and struck on the head with what looked like the handle of a shotgun.

The men dragged him to the back of the house, beat him and sprayed dust in his eyes. “They were saying ‘money, drugs’,” said Mr Wilk.

He handed over £600 and was bound with tape to a gate. Mr Lorak was handcuffed and both men were stripped to their underwear.

Their rented van, containing parcels, credit cards and identity documents was stolen.

The van was recovered the next day in Musgrave Road, Eccleshill, Bradford.

Wolkowicz was arrested on September 10 at a flat in Glenrose Drive, Lidget Green. Miss Wigin said police found the victims’ credit cards and a canister of pepper spray at the address.

The trial continues.