The jury has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of a woman accused of trying to steal cash from a businessman.

Shannon Nimmo claims she was forced to go to the man’s home by her boyfriend and co-accused, Adam Smith, and maintains she had no idea he was carrying a large knife and bottle of ammonia.

The mother-of-two crack cocaine addict fought back tears as she gave evidence at her trial at Teesside Crown Court where she is charged with aggravated burglary.

Jurors heard how 22-year-old Smith had already pleaded guilty to the same offence committed on July 30 last year.

During her evidence, Nimmo claimed that the alleged victim is a well-known drug dealer in the Darlington area.

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Under cross-examination from prosecution counsel, Eleanor Durdy, Nimmo denied that she knew her now ex-partner was armed when they arrived at the alleged target’s home in Middleton St George.

She said she would have reported him if she had known he was armed and refuted the allegation that she had demanded cash otherwise the man would be stabbed and have ammonia thrown in his face.

However, Nimmo accepted that she had lied when she was interviewed by police but maintained it was because she was so scared of her then-boyfriend.

The trial of Nimmo, of Brougham Street, Darlington, continues.