Accused Paul Forrest told a jury he could not have not have carried out an armed raid at a late-night store because he was selling drugs at the time.

He claimed he was framed for the raid by friends who wanted to rake over his drug-dealing business.

Forrest is accused of holding up staff at gunpoint at Allday's store, in Bassett Avenue, Bicester, and demanding cash.

The twenty-nine-year-old, of Station Road, Blackthorn, near Bicester, denies robbery and possessing an imitation firearm.

The charges relate to a raid last year in which a masked robber armed with a 9mm imitation Beretta burst into the shop and made off with more than £300 in cash.

Forrest told a jury at Oxford Crown Court yesterday: "I was in the centre of Bicester walking around meeting people here and there and selling drugs."

Earlier the court heard from remand prisoner Richard Goodenough at Bullingdon Prison who also claimed Forrest had boasted about the robbery.

Richard Jones, defending, accused Mr Goodenough of lying to get a reduction in his prison sentence. He denied this.

The case continues.

Story date: Wednesday 02 February

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