A young couple carried out armed robberies in the style of Bonnie and Clyde at Worthing nursing homes before getting married, a court heard yesterday.

Staff at two homes were in fear of their lives as masked raiders with a pistol demanded money, Wood Green Crown Court was told.

One of the raids occurred after a robbery at a late-night store "to pay their rent", police were told.

Daniel Lewis, 21, entered the nursing home and the store wearing a balaclava provided by his girlfriend, Emma Buchan, now 20, who also assisted as look-out at least in the nursing home robberies, it was claimed.

Now married and living in Bognor Regis, the couple sat alongside each other in the dock together with Daniel's stepfather, Kevin Isted, 43, of Kingsley Close, East Worthing.

Christine Laing, prosecuting, told the jury: "This is about three night-time robberies including the use of a gun. Victims were placed in extreme fear with threats to use it, two in care homes for the elderly at about 3.30am.

"Both homes had employed Daniel Lewis for a brief period in the past. He had knowledge of the premises and how they operated at night, a significant factor.

"At times Emma Buchan, at the time his girlfriend and now his wife, at the very least waited outside the premises in a getaway car with the getaway driver."

The store robbery took place on April 14 last year at Alldays, Box Grove Parade, Goring.

During another alleged robbery at Baytrees Nursing Home, Highfield Road, Worthing, in the early hours of April 15, staff were confronted by two raiders, one pointing a gun.

On May 3 at the Madeira Nursing Home, Madeira Avenue, Worthing, an "almost identical scenario" took place with the second robber possibly a female. Neither spoke.

The couple were living at the time at Meadowsuite Close, Worthing, and Rochester Close, Durrington, the home of two men who they claimed had committed the robberies. Although the two were arrested there was insufficient evidence to charge them, said Miss Laing.

Daniel Lewis and Isted deny robbing Elliott Taylor of cash and cigarettes worth £240 on April 14, 2000, and having an imitation fire arm on the same occasion.

Lewis and Lewis deny robbing a nurse of £5,697.62 on April 15 last year and having an imitation pistol on the same occasion.

Both also deny attempted robbery on May 3, 2000, and having the imitation pistol as well as stealing a handbag and contents on the same date belonging to Carole O'Neil.

The case continues.