Man, 26, booked flights using cash stolen from mother's purse he is accused of murdering, trial hears

Anmol Chana, of Hamilton Road, Smethwick, was caught on CCTV depositing £300 into his bank account at a Halifax branch, in Bearwood, Smethwick, at 4.22pm on February 24.

The trial heard on Monday he had bought a plane ticket to Italy via Turkey.

The defendant is accused of murdering his mother Jasbir Kaur, 52, and her husband and Chana's step-father, Rupinder Bassan, 51, at their home in Moat Road, Oldbury, in February.

At 4.29am on February 24, his sister, Kiran Chana - who is a witness in the case - called police after she became concerned when she could not contact her mother by phone.

At the trial's opening on Monday, Birmingham Crown Court heard Chana asked to stay at her home on Saturday, February 22, where the family made preparations for him.

On the following Monday, two days after asking to stay with his mother and step-father, Chana made contact with a travel agent company on that afternoon.

Joint-prosecutor Chloe Fairley told the court on Tuesday: "At 4.03pm [there was] another phone call from the defendant to the travel agent. At 4.05pm there was another call lasting 10 minutes and 10 seconds.

"At 4.18pm the defendant is in a Halifax bank, in Bearwood. At 4.22pm - taken from financial records - £300 in cash was deposited in Anmol Chana's account at that branch.

"We accept that was taken from Jasbir Kaur's purse."

The court was then told it is accepted in the trial that "money was taken from Jasbir Kaur's purse but didn't total £300".

Ms Fairley added: "At 6.21pm, [there was] a payment from the defendant's account to [the travel agent] of £223.99."

A search of Chana's phone also found he had text message drafts saved in which he wrote "buy a new knife" and "rob a Lidl", the court was told.

Mrs Kaur was found with in excess of 20 stab injuries and Mr Bassan also had more than 20 injuries, the trial heard.

Chana denies any wrongdoing. The continues.