Life for Fairfield raid gang

Three men who murdered a Midland sub-postmaster's son were today jailed for life with a minimum of 34 years by a judge who branded them "parasitic criminals".

Craig Hodson-Walker, aged 29, was shot through the heart at his family's post office and general stores in Fairfield, near Stourbridge, on January 9.

His father Ken was also shot during the raid, suffering a bullet wound to his shin. Christopher Morrissey, aged 32, his brother Declan Morrissey, 34 and Anselm Ribera, 34 were jailed for a minimum of 34 years for the murder by Mr Justice Colman Treacy QC. They will also serve 34 years for the attempted murder of Ken Hodson-Walker, to run concurrently.

The judge said he would order anyone considering the release of the three men to view CCTV images of the raid.

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. They were given a 21-year concurrent sentence for each of those offences.

Getaway driver Adrian Snape, 25, of Camelot Way, Small Heath, Birmingham, had already pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. He was jailed for eight years. Mr Hodson-Walker father, mother Judy, brother James and fiancee Lisa Bundy were at court today.

Snape waited outside while Ribera and the Morrissey brothers went inside. The 8.20am raid was in vain because the safe was on a time lock and could not be opened before 9am.