ONE of two men accused of an alleged crime spree involving multiple robberies in West Oxfordshire has been cleared as the trial entered its closing stages.

After hearing half-time submissions from defence teams today, jurors at Oxford Crown Court were told to find Daniel Gell, 49, of Eastfield Road, Witney, not guilty of two robberies as well as two counts of having a bladed article.

Meanwhile, his co-defendant Christopher Wain, of Richens Drive, Carterton, remains on trial facing two counts of robbery, two of having a bladed article and one of attempted robbery.

The 41-year old declined yesterday to take to the witness box to tell jurors his version of events as his trial continued.

Prosecutors alleged that Wain formed part of a two-man crime spree of robberies at shops in Witney and Eynsham between February 27 and March 6, 2016.

Earlier in the trial jurors were told that two robberies took place first at Eynsham’s Co-Op before Witney’s Tesco Express was targeted two days later.

During each incident, the court heard, men wearing masks burst in demanding cash and threats were made to staff – including to set the stores on fire.

Each time the men fled the scene with hundreds of pounds of stolen cash, jurors were told.

The third alleged incident took place at a Betfred betting shop in Witney which was a failed attempt to rob, prosecutors maintain, with the sole alleged robber entering the store before fleeing the scene empty handed.

As Wain’s trial continued, the case began to enter its closing stages with jurors given closing speeches by prosecutors and defence barrister.

Wain denies two counts of robbery, one of attempted robbery and two of having a bladed article and the trial continues.