The jury in the case of six men accused of carrying out an armed robbery which led to the death of shop owner Shammi Atwal have retired to consider their verdict today.

None of the men have offered any defence during the month-long trial, though each has pleaded not guilty to the various charges against them.

Father-of-three Mr Atwal, 42, died when he was allegedly pushed under a lorry as he chased the gang from Glenn & Co cash and carry in River Road, Barking, on October 14 last year.

Didmantas Gonskoves, 26, of Grange Road, Plaistow, Aurimas Diliunas, 27, of no fixed abode, Deividas Sumskas, 25, of Otley Road, Canning Town, and Edgaras Balezantis, also 25, of Tollgate Road, Beckton, deny charges of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob.

Farhan Sheikh, 39, of Thornhill Gardens, Barking, denies a charge of conspiracy to rob while Reiniks Kivers, 29, of no fixed abode, has denies charges of robbery and manslaughter.

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