A jury retired today to consider its verdicts in the case of two men accused of a torture and robbery spree.

The Old Bailey heard how Carlon Robinson, 27, of Merton Court, Brighton Marina, and Nolan Atkins, 25, of no fixed address, allegedly scalded one victim's genitals with a kettle of boiling water and shot another in the legs.

The jury was told how two men armed themselves with pistols and burst into homes in Sussex looking for money and drugs.

There were nine victims in Sussex, at addresses in Ceylon Place and Havelock Road, Eastbourne and in Portland Street, Brighton.

Two men were later shot in London, it is alleged.

Judge David Stokes QC, said Robinson, who defended himself, claimed he had been framed by police who planted evidence, including his DNA at crime scenes.

Judge Stokes said Atkins maintained that evidence and witnesses who testified against him were unreliable. Both deny all the charges.

Robinson and Atkins are jointly charged with attempted murder, false imprisonment, causing grievous harm with intent and two firearms offences.

They also deny three robberies, two aggravated burglaries and one count of stealing a car.