A student blackmailed a former workmate by demanding cash as "insurance" to stop him telling the police about a robbery plot, a court heard.

Ledion Panxa, 19, of Paget Road, Oxford, has denied demanding £100 from Haydon Scarlett after he asked him for help with a plot to rob Balfour News shop, in Cherwell Drive, Marston. Panxa is standing trial at Oxford Crown Court.

Mr Scarlett, assistant manager, said Panxa worked at the store three years ago.

He said he visited the shop on Tuesday, April 4, when the pair had a cigarette together.

Mr Scarlett said: "He (Panxa) told me the shop was going to be robbed.

"He wanted me to make it easier for him. He wanted me to give him the codes for the safe.

"He said he was involved with rough people who wanted to rob the shop and had been asked to speak to me.

"Obviously I was very scared and wanted him to go away. He told me he knew where my mother lived.

"He wanted me to be there when the robbery happened and said if I wasn't it would get violent.

"He then asked me for money out of the safe and I said I couldn't do that because I would risk my job. He asked me to get it out of my account to ensure I didn't tell the police."

Mr Scarlett said they then went to a nearby cashpoint, where he withdrew £100 from his own account and gave it to Panxa.

The next day he said he told his manager, who called the police.

Mr Scarlett was arrested for conspiracy to rob, but was never charged.

In defence, Panxa said: "I went there to ask for a job, then I asked Haydon if he had the money he owed me."

Panxa added: "My parents want me to study instead of work, and I normally get everything I want from them.

"When I work it is for extra money for myself and for something to do in the summer."

The trial continues.