Four in court over shooting

Four men appeared in court today accused of murdering postmaster's son Craig Hodson-Walker.

Brothers Christopher Peter Morrissey, 31 and Declan Paul Morrissey, 33 appeared alongside Anselm Joseph Ribera, 33, and Adrian Vincent Snape, aged 24. They are also charged with attempted murder of Craig's father.

Ken Hodson-Walker was shot in leg during the raid on Fairfield post office on January 9 and is now back at home.

The four appeared at Redditch Magistrates today and were remanded in custody after the 20 minute hearing.

Christopher Morrissey is from Elmay Road, Sheldon, Birmingham; Declan Morrissey, of Shirley Park Road, Shirley, Solihull; Ribera, of Druids Lane, Druids Heath, Birmingham; Snape, Camelot Way, Small Heath, Birmingham.

They are also charged with attempted robbery. They spoke only to confirm their names and addresses.

Craig Hodson-Walker, aged 29, was shot in the chest at the family-run post office and general stores near Bromsgrove.

It also emerged today that villagers in Fairfield are rallying round to reopen the business, which remains closed. The next step is to draw up a rota of volunteers.

Members of Belbroughton and Fairfield Parish Council are keen to support the family and may provide a grant or loan to help the business continue.

Councillor James Bradley, chairman of Belbroughton and Fairfield Parish Council said members understood that the family, which also consists of Ken's wife Judy, aged 56, and their other son James, aged 27, were anxious for their business which they had built up over the past five years.

Meanwhile the Post Office has set up a memorial fund in memory of Craig Hodson-Walker.