A woman accused of being the ringleader of a gang of armed men intent on ‘taxing’ a drug dealer told jurors she was scared of the men involved.

Samantha Nunn could be heard shouting encouragement to the men as they smashed their way into their target’s home moments before he fell from a first-floor window.

The 20-year-old was left paralysed from the neck down after suffering catastrophic head injuries when he tried to flee to safety.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Samantha Nunn, her boyfriend Kallum Shilham, and Andrew Hobson were caught on Ring doorbell footage using weapons to smash their way into a house intent on violence.

Forensic officers at the scene on Parkfield WayForensic officers at the scene on Parkfield Way (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

Giving evidence, Nunn denied that she was the ringleader of the gang and maintained she believed the three men, one of whom has never been identified, were looking to buy drugs, not tax him.

Under cross examination from Paul Rooney, prosecuting, the 33-year-old was taken through the Ring doorbell footage where she could be heard shouting – ‘jump you ****’ as he climbed out of an upstairs window.

The lawyer asked: “What did you mean by that?”

The defendant replied: “I don’t know, I was just startled.”

Forensic investigators working at the sceneForensic investigators working at the scene (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

He asked: “You were startled? You were the ringleader. You went in your own car with three men intent on taxing someone.”

Nunn replied: “I didn’t know they were going to tax anybody. I thought they were going to buy drugs.”

Mr Rooney asked: “The purpose of you turning up at 4am was to give him a good hiding and take his drugs off him, wasn’t it?”

Fighting to control her emotions, she replied: “No, that’s not right.”

Nunn denied knowing that the three men where armed and carrying balaclavas when she drove them to the house on Parkfield Way in Stockton in April this year.

The defendant told the jury that she was scared of the men and was only encouraging them so that they thought she was on their side.

Mr Rooney said: “You have lied and lied and lied, haven’t you?”

Nunn replied: “No, sir, I haven’t.”

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Nunn, 33, of Sandringham Road, Thornaby, is charged with aggravated burglary and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Jurors heard she has admitted a lesser charge of causing grievous bodily harm without intent.

Her boyfriend, 24-year-old Shilham, of Harrowgate Lane, Stockton, has denied the same charges and also admitted the lesser charge and pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article.

The third defendant, 45-year-old Hobson, of Sun Gardens, Thornaby, has denied both charges and also denied the possession of an offensive weapon - a pool cue.

The trial continues.