A suspected thief was shot twice while attempting to steal expensive motorbikes from outside a house, a jury has heard.

The four bullets from a Glock pistol passed through the arm of Ross Eaglestone as he attempted to free the bikes – including Yamahas and Ducates – parked in Cooper Close, Greenhithe.

Another weapon was also used during the incident, which was caught on CCTV, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

Brothers Christopher Nourse, 43, from Ospringe Close, Penge and Colin Nourse, 40, from Cooper Close appeared before the court where they denied attempting to murder and possessing weapons with intent.

Prosecutor Martin Yale told the jury: "On the evening of Sunday March 8 2020, gunshots rang out in a residential area in Greenhithe.

"The target was a group of men who were in the process of trying to steal some motorcycles, including Mr Eaglestone

"He was hit in the arm by two of the bullets and sustained serious injury.

The Crown alleges the gunman had a clear intention to kill members of that group.

Mr Yale added: "And whatever Mr Eaglestone and the group were doing that cannot possibly justify shooting at them at all - let alone in an effort to kill them."

The prosecutor said the brothers deny being the gunman "however, the Crown say the evidence points to them as the people who shot at Mr Eaglestone and his associates.

"The motorcycles that were being targeted belonged to them. They left Colin's flat shortly before the shooting and returned soon afterwards before fleeing to Penge where Christopher lives.

"During that short period numerous gunshots were fired and the two were forensically linked to bullet casings recovered from the scene."

The jury heard that a handgun used in the shooting was later found hidden underneath a car parked a few streets away from Christopher's home.

"Firearms paraphernalia was later recovered from Colin's flat and a car linked to the brothers. In the month leading up to the incident the brothers had visited a shooting range in Texas, " he claimed.

The trial continues.