A MAN accused of being part of a gang who robbed a teenage boy for £1 and a condom has denied having anything to do with the crime.

Mohammed Ashraf Ali, 22, of Homerton High Street, today told Snaresbrook Crown Court he “distanced” himself from the group during the incident on May 9 2008.

He is standing trial alongside his brother, Mohammed Rezwan Ali, 20, and Abu Hanifa, 19, of Holmbury View, Hackney.

Two other men, Shabir Chowdhury, 19, of Oak Hill Gardens, Woodford Green, and Mohammed Tai, 18, of Fellows Court, Hackney, have pleaded guilty to robbery.

Giving evidence, he said: “I was saying to my brother, ‘let’s just go home’.

“I didn’t know the others and I didn’t want to talk to them. I didn’t want to approach people I don’t know – I didn’t know how they’d react.”

He admitted being present at the time the robbery took place but said he did not know anything had been stolen until he was told by police after being arrested and detained.

Mr Ali said: “I didn’t know he was being robbed and I didn’t know anyone went through his pockets.”

He added that he did not want to leave the scene without his brother as he was “protective” of him.

The court also heard two character references for his brother, saying he was of good character and had been a volunteer in a scheme to support young Muslims in Islington.

Both brothers say they tried to diffuse the situation, saying “leave it” and “forget it” to the others.

The victim is alleged to have been jostled and threatened before having his pockets searched during the attack, which took place in Chelmsford Road, Woodford Green.

An Oyster card was allegedly stolen, as well as the coin and the condom.

The trial continues.