Reading Crown Court Today -

In defence of [Name A], barrister [Name] argued that his client had suffered a "difficult upbringing" and had acted under duress from a loan shark. However, the judge dismissed this as "wholly unsubstantiated."

The court heard that on the night of [Date], the three defendants—[Name A, 24], [Name B, 31], and [Name C, 29]—stormed a convenience store on [Street Name] armed with a hammer and a knife. reading crown court today

The victim’s family wept in the public gallery as the sentences were read out. Outside court, Detective Constable [Name] said: "This sends a clear message that violent crime will not be tolerated on the streets of [City Name]." In defence of [Name A], barrister [Name] argued

Prosecutor [Name] told the jury that the victim, 58-year-old [Victim Name], was closing up for the night when he was struck over the head with the blunt instrument. "This was not a spontaneous street crime. It was a targeted, brutal operation designed to terrify," the prosecutor said. Outside court, Detective Constable [Name] said: "This sends