An accused bank robber has admitted spray-painting a toy gun black for someone he claims invited him to take part in a robbery, but he denied he knew one would actually take place.

Speaking yesterday during cross-examination, Gregory Tucker told Supreme Court: “I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t think they were serious.”

Mr Tucker, 24, has denied allegations that he robbed Butterfield Bank in St George’s on June 9 last year and threatening staff with a toy gun before escaping with cash.

The court has heard how a piece of the imitation weapon was accidentally left at the scene and Mr Tucker was identified as the major DNA donor.

Taking the stand earlier this week, Mr Tucker said he had been with his cousin, Richard Baisden Jr, throughout the day of the robbery.

He admitted he had been asked by Kenneth Wade Jr — who has denied any involvement in the offences — to take part in the robbery of a bank. While Mr Tucker said he refused the invitation, he did spray a toy gun black and return it to Mr Wade before the date of the robbery.

Returning to the witness box yesterday, the defendant was also questioned about his financial situation around the time that the robbery occurred.

He accepted that he told police he was “broke” in an interview a month after the robbery, but said he meant he merely had no money on his bank card.

He also accepted that between the day of the robbery and the day of his arrest, he had purchased a new phone, Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses, stayed at Grotto Bay for several nights and booked a flight, but he denied the suggestion he made the purchases with money from the robbery.

Mr Tucker accepted that a quantity of cash found in a Clorox box belonged to him, explaining that it was the proceeds of fixing other people’s mobile devices and selling cannabis.

Ms Smith also questioned Mr Tucker’s alibi, suggesting that he would have had enough time to commit the robbery at 12.09pm and go for a quick swim before 12.40pm, when he was stopped by police near the Royal Artillery Association Club.

Mr Tucker responded: “If that’s what you believe.”

Mr Baisden also testified yesterday, telling the Supreme Court that Mr Tucker came to his home on Redcoat Lane, St George’s, on the morning of June 9.

He said the pair watched movies on his iPad for an hour or so before going swimming near Blackbeard’s Tavern. They then walked back to Mr Baisden’s home, encountering police along the way.

“They searched Greg but they didn’t search me,” he said. “They let him go and we walked back to my house.”

Under cross-examination, Mr Baisden acknowledged that he and the defendant were close, and that they had lived together for a period.

Asked if he could account for the defendant’s whereabouts all day, he said: “Up until I saw him I cannot account for what he did. I wasn’t with him early in the morning.”

While he said he cared about Mr Tucker, he added that he had never had to protect his welfare.

The trial continues.

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