Three guilty of post office murder

Three men were convicted today of murdering a Midland 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, aged 29, was shot through the heart as he tried to fend off a masked gang at the post office and general stores in Fairfield, near Stourbridge, in January.

His father Ken was also shot in his left shin during the raid.

Following a ten-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court a jury found Christopher Morrissey, aged 32, of Elmay Road, Sheldon, his brother Declan Morrissey, 34, of Shirley Park Road, Shirley and Anselm Ribera, 34, of guilty of murder.

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

A fourth defendant, Adrian Snape, of Camelot Way, Small Heath, was cleared of both charges.

Craig Hodson-Walker's fiance Lisa Bundy broke down.

The four defendants had all denied murdering Craig Hodson-Walker and attempting to murder his father.

The Morrissey brother and Ribera were also convicted of attempted robbery and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life.

Snape was cleared of the firearms charge. He had admitted attempted robbery at an earlier hearing, saying he was the getaway driver.

The Morrisseys were found guilty of a robbery charge relating to the car.