Reading Crown Court Today Hot! -

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]."

– A judge at [City Name] Crown Court today condemned a "despicable and premeditated" attack as three men were jailed for a combined total of 22 years for a violent robbery that left a shopkeeper with life-changing injuries. reading crown court today

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. The victim’s family wept in the public gallery

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." In defence of [Name A], barrister [Name] argued

The gang made off with just £350 in cash and a dozen packets of cigarettes, leaving the victim bleeding on the floor. He now suffers from memory loss and has been unable to return to work.