AN Ipswich student was led down a dark alley where he was attacked and robbed of his wallet, a court heard today.Martin Pumfrey had been drinking in The Spread Eagle pub minutes before the assault took place.

AN Ipswich student was led down a dark alley where he was attacked and robbed of his wallet, a court heard today.

Martin Pumfrey had been drinking in The Spread Eagle pub minutes before the assault took place.

Matthew McNiff, prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court, said Mr Pumfrey left the pub to go home alone but was followed by 38-year-old Mark Goulbourne, of Station Street.

"The accused said 'I could get a mate to take you home and actually I have arranged for that lift for you'," said Mr McNiff.

He added: "All Mr Pumfrey had to do was walk up this dark alleyway for a car to meet him."

Mr McNiff said once in the alleyway, Goulbourne got Mr Pumfrey in a headlock and by the throat and another man joined in the attack.

"Both men hit Mr Pumfrey in various ways and the accused removed Mr Pumfrey's wallet from his pocket and the two men fled from the scene," added Mr McNiff.

The jury was told that the wallet contained more than £200 and Goulbourne had seen that amount in Mr Pumfrey's wallet earlier that evening.

Goulbourne denies committing robbery on December 16 last year. When he was arrested he told police they had not met a third man on the way home that evening and there had certainly not been a robbery.

Goulbourne denied having anything that did not belong to him but police discovered Mr Pumfrey's wallet and credit cards and more than £200 cash in his possession.

Goulbourne then explained he did not have anything apart from Mr Pumfrey's wallet, which had been given to him in the pub for safe keeping on the night in question.

The trial continues.