A man has denied threatening a teenager with an axe saying he was playing Call of Duty on the PlayStation at the time of the burglary on Valentine's Day last year.

An axeman threatened Jack Pearsall, 19, and stole his silver Armani watch after breaking into his family home in Epsom Road, Leatherhead, at about 2.30pm.

Monday: Burglar threatens teenager with axe and steals Armani watch, court hears

Soon after the burglary, a sniffer dog led police across the road to a hostel where they arrested a college student Jamie Funnel, then 28.

Mr Funnel, who is standing trial at Guildford Crown Court this week before Judge Tom Corrie, denies aggravated burglary and claims it is a case of mistaken identity.

Tuesday: Man acquitted after judge halts axe burglary trial due to insufficient evidence

He has previously been convicted of firing a blank firing pistol in a park while drunk and, aged 10, he was given a caution for stealing crisps.

In a police interview read out in court, Mr Funnel said he got up at 12.30pm and went downstairs to play Call of Duty: Ghosts on his PlayStation on February 14, 2014.

Mr Funnel, who has depression and bipolar disorder, said he passed another resident when going downstairs sometimes between 12.45pm and 1pm.

He told police he knew nothing about the burglary until officers came to the hostel at about 3pm.

He said: "As soon as they opened the doors, they were like 'there's been a burglary' and straight away they were like 'you fit the e-fit'.

"I was like: 'What? What? I have been in all day. They were like: 'The dog's come sniffing right up to the door'."

After Mr Pearsall picked him out in a video identity parade, Mr Funnel said in interview: "I can’t believe this has happened.

"The only thing I can explain is like he’s seen me. I have been living down that road for six months. When taking a look at the pictures, he’s recognised me and been like that’s him."

Croydon Crown Court convicted Mr Funnel of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence in September 2006.

He said: "I was in the army cadets when I was young and had a blank firing pistol when I left.

"I got really drunk with my brother and we thought it would be a good idea to go to the park and fire it."

Armed police were called to the park and Mr Funnel said he decided to give up drinking as a result.

As a 10-year-old Mr Funnel was given a caution for stealing crisps from a newsagent and in 2012 he was given a caution for not buying a train ticket.

When he was 17 he was also reprimanded for going into his foster parent’s bedroom to find a mobile phone but instead taking £120 and buying a new phone.

In the court today, Detective Constable Andrew Cooper showed the jury clothes taken from Mr Funnel's room including a black duffle coat that police said was damp when they found it.

It had been raining on the day of the burglary, but Mr Funnel said he did not go outdoors and the coat had been hanging up by his window for a week.

Under cross-examination, DC Cooper said police had not found the watch, the burglar's gloves or any forensic evidence in the house.

The axe was taken from the family's shed and he said any forensic evidence on it would have been washed away in the rain.

Prosecutor Ruby Selva said Sony, the creators of PlayStation, confirmed Mr Funnel logged in at 2.01pm and 2.11pm.

The crime scene investigation team said there was no evidence the burglar forced entry to the house and the back door must have been left unlocked.

Mr Funnel, now 29, is bailed to an address in Hampstead Road, Dorking, and must meet an 8pm to 7am curfew.

The trial continues.