Raid tragedy shop reopens
A village shop was reopened today for the first time since its postmaster was injured and his son killed in a gun raid.
Volunteers were manning Fairfield General Stores which has been shut for almost three weeks. The reopening came on the day four men charged with the murder of Craig Hodson-Walker were remanded in custody after appearing in court via a video link.
They will not appear again until July 10 following today's hearing at Birmingham Crown Court.
Craig, aged 29, died at the scene and his father, Ken Hodson-Walker, aged 56, was shot in the leg in the raid on January 9.
Twelve volunteers will man the shop in Stourbridge Road while Mr Hodson-Walker and wife Judy come to terms with their loss.
A policeman stood guard outside the stores and floral tributes lined the street. The Post Office section of the store was due to open at lunchtime.
Volunteers at the store issued a statement through the Post Office. It said: "As a community there is a strong feeling the shop should open as soon as possible.
"The initiative has the full support of Ken, Judy and the family as they come to terms with what has happened."
More than 150 people offered to help run the shop.
Remanded in custody were Christopher Peter Morrissey, 31, of Elmay Road, Sheldon, Birmingham, Declan Paul Morrissey, 33, of Shirley Park Road, Solihull, Anselm Ribera, 33, of Druids Lane, Druids Heath, Birmingham and Adrian Vincent Snape, 24, of Camelot Way, Small Heath. They are also charged with an attempted murder of Ken Hodson-Walker and attempted armed robbery
