A TRIAL into a masked robbery alleged to have started in the back garden of a house in Grove has entered its closing stages.

Ben Miller, 25, of Broad Oak, Oxford, and Jay Reynolds, 21, of no fixed abode, both deny one count of robbery and Miller denies one count of having a bladed article.

Prosecutors at Oxford Crown Court told jurors at the start of their trial last week that the pair were part of a group of men who burst into the back garden of a house in Grove on the night of May 11 this year.

Jurors were told how the alleged victim of the robbery – Joseph Cartwright – was relieved of some £600 in cash and a quantity of cannabis during the break-in.

Taking to the witness box during the trial Mr Cartwright had told jurors that one of the men held a knife to his face during the alleged attack.

He claimed to have been kicked and punched and chucked to the ground.

As the trial continued today jurors heard closing speeches from prosecutors as well as final arguments from barristers representing the two men.

After presiding, Judge Maria Lamb delivered her final summary of the case the jury will be sent out to begin their deliberations on the trial.

Both men deny the charges against them and the trial continues.