AN unemployed man, from Loughton, was among a gang who carried out a £3million jewellery heist, a court has heard.

Joseph Xenofondos, 35, of Loughton Way, is said to have been one of three raiders who made off with a haul including Cartier watches and key rings from a warehouse at Southend Airport in 2001.

He is currently on trial with his brother Marios, 39, of Stoke Newington, and Gary Maughan, 43, from Hackney.

The three alleged thieves were arrested after Tom Baisden, 28, of Grangeways, Thundersley, handed himself in to police after confessing he was the “inside man” in the operation.

Baisden, who worked in the warehouse, told police he came up with the scheme with Maughan who is his cousin, and they recruited the Xenofondos brothers to help carry out the heist.

A former drug addict, Baisden said he decided to come clean after turning his life around following an appearance on the reality TV show Fifteen which was hosted by chef Jamie Oliver.

He told Basildon Crown Court how he came to know the Xenofondos brothers, who were nicknamed "the Bubbles" due to their Greek heritage, through his cousin and they would often enjoy nights out together.

He said he was particularly afraid of Joseph adding: “He had a powerful presence around him. Gary told me Joe was much more well connected in the criminal world than we were."

The court was told, despite declaring little or no income, the Xenofondos brothers both annually spent up to £100,000 in the four years after the raid.

Prosecutor Chris Paxton said: "Such expenditure must have a source and it is the Crown's case that you the jury can infer that it was the robbery in 2001.

"You must also consider why Tom Baisden, a man beyond any suspicion, would confess to a crime he had committed and got away with and involve his cousin and two men he knew and feared unless it was true."

Joseph and Marios Xenofondos are both charged with conspiracy to steal while Mauhan is charged with handling stolen goods and conspiring to steal.

Baisden is awaiting sentence after he admitted theft and conspiracy to steal in August.

The trial continues.