Men guilty of sub-postmaster murder

The Fairfield post office, where Craig Hodson-Walker was shot dead during an armed robbery
12 April 2012

Three men have been convicted of murdering a sub-postmaster who was gunned down as he tried to protect his parents during an armed robbery at their family-run village store.

Craig Hodson-Walker, 29, was shot through the heart as he tried to fend off a masked gang at the post office and general stores in Fairfield, Worcestershire, in January.

His father Ken was also shot during the raid - sustaining a bullet wound to his left shin - Birmingham Crown Court heard.

Following a ten-week trial, a jury found Christopher Morrissey, 32, his brother Declan Morrissey, 34, and Anselm Ribera, 34, guilty of murder.

They were also convicted of attempting to murder Ken Hodson-Walker.

A fourth defendant, Adrian Snape, was cleared of both charges.

Snape, of Camelot Way, Small Heath, Birmingham, had already pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, admitting he was the getaway driver.

After he was cleared of murder, he leapt up in the dock and shouted repeatedly: "It told you. I f****** told you, didn't I?"

He was then removed by security staff while the jurors, some of whom were visibly upset by his outburst, were told to leave the court.

Christopher Morrissey, of Elmay Road, Sheldon, Birmingham, Declan Morrissey, of Shirley Park Road, Shirley, Solihull, and Ribera, of Topfield House, Druids Heath, Birmingham, were also convicted of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and attempted robbery. All four men will be sentenced on Friday.

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