Three masked men raided a beauticians – one armed with a firearm – and stole cash, it has been alleged.

The attack in Rainham was caught on CCTV and played to a jury at Maidstone Crown Court.

On trial for robbery is Dion Hemsworth.

Prosecutor Kieran Brand told of the attack on January 31 when the men escaped with a cash box.

He said Hemsworth, 46, of Goodall Close, Rainham, was tracked by police after leaving behind keys to a car and his blood.

He claimed: “That day, he along with two other masked men, entered a beauticians. At the time one of the men was seen to be in possession of a firearm or imitation firearm.”

The court heard how Steven Goddard was working at Beutonics with another employee named Maureen or Mo.

Customer Susan Allen and workmen Paul Pettman were also there.

Mr Brand added: “Shortly after midday, three men wearing masks, gloves and jackets with the hoods up walked into the store.

“The first through the door had his hands in his right pocket and appeared to be holding something. Inside this pocket, say the prosecution, was the firearm.

“This male remains unidentified, as does the third male through the door who appeared to act as a lookout for the majority of the robbery.”

He claimed Hemsworth went into the store, pushed Mr Pettman out of the way as the first man demanded cash.

One of the women tried to call for help but the phone was knocked from her hand as Mr Goddard armed himself with a pair of scissors and pushed one of the alleged robbers out of the door.

As he did so, the first man then appeared to reveal part of the gun to Mr Goddard, telling him: “You need to be careful”, Mr Brand claimed.

After a brief scuffle the men snatched a box containing £28 in cash and fled into the High Street.

In the struggle Mr Goddard suffered a fractured hand and a fractured face bone, it was claimed.

Hemsworth was followed by a woman who tracked him to Rainham railway station where he was seen ditching his jacket, the jury heard.

Mr Brand added that keys to an Audi car key were left at the store after the robbery.

“The police were able to link this key to a specific Audi car which they were in due course able to place the defendant in on the day of the robbery, “ he claimed. Hemsworth denies robbery and possessing an imitation firearm and the trial continues.

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