Murder accused 'was out running'

Four men deny murdering Craig Hodson-Walker in January

A man accused of murdering a sub-postmaster's son in Worcestershire during an armed raid told a jury he was jogging on the morning of the offence.

Anselm Ribera, 34, of Topfield House, Druids Heath, Birmingham, denies murdering Craig Hodson-Walker, 29, at the Fairfield post office on 9 January.

Mr Ribera told Birmingham Crown Court he was on "quite an extensive run" of eight (12.9km) or nine miles (14.5km).

He and three other defendants deny murder and attempted murder.

Mr Ribera, who entered the witness box to give evidence, told the jury he had set off for a run as early as 0521 GMT on that morning and ended up at his mother's home in Birmingham.

Computer map

He took the jury through the route of his run on a computer screen, pointing out roads and areas on a map, including Wythall and Earlswood Lakes.

"It is quite an extensive run," Mr Ribera told the jury. "I would say, probably about eight or nine miles plus.

"I would have taken the iPod to assist me in the run. I must admit I wasn't running all the run because it was a bit far for me to run - it got to the stage where I did have to have a break and slow down."

The raid happened at the business of the Hodson-Walker family

Under questioning from his barrister, Jerome Lynch QC, Mr Ribera also denied he had visited a BP petrol station with one of his co-defendants in a Ford Mondeo at 0615 GMT on 9 January.

The prosecution have alleged that he fired three shots at Fairfield General Stores and post office and that the three other men who also deny murder "knew perfectly well" he had a gun which he was prepared to use.

Mr Ribera, Adrian Snape, 25, Christopher Morrissey, 32, and his brother Declan, 33, all deny murder.

They also deny the attempted murder of Mr Hodson-Walker's father, Ken, who was shot in the leg at the family's post office.

Mr Ribera and Mr Snape, of Camelot Way, Small Heath, Birmingham, Christopher Morrissey, of Elmay Road, Sheldon, Birmingham, Declan Morrissey, of Shirley Park Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, further deny possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Mr Ribera and the Morrissey brothers also deny attempted robbery.

Mr Snape has pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, admitting that he was the getaway driver.

The trial continues.