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Mark Cavendish robbery trial judge gives concluding remarks

Getty Images Peta and Mark CavendishGetty Images
Peta Cavendish (pictured with Mark Cavendish) told jurors, earlier in the trial, the experience was "everyone's worst nightmare"

A judge has told jurors "there is no dispute" champion cyclist Mark Cavendish was robbed at his family home.

The trial has heard how intruders in balaclavas broke into the house in Ongar, Essex, on 27 November 2021, while the athlete was in bed with wife Peta and their three-year-old son.

Two suspects are on trial and each deny two counts of robbery.

Judge David Turner KC has given concluding directions to the jury.

"There's no dispute in this case that robberies occurred," said Mr Turner.

"The issue is who's responsible, who was there, who played a part?"

Elizabeth Cook/PA Media Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Peta Cavendish giving evidence, watched by Judge David Turner, at Chelmsford Crown CourtElizabeth Cook/PA Media
Judge David Turner KC, pictured listening to evidence from Peta Cavendish, said jurors did not need to be sure of the defendants' "precise roles" in the robbery

Prosecutors said the men made off with Richard Mille watches, valued at £400,000 and £300,000, and that one suspect held a "Rambo-style" knife to Mr Cavendish's throat.

Romario Henry, 31, of Bell Green, Lewisham, south-east London, and Oludewa Okorosobo, 28, of Flaxman Road, Camberwell, south London, deny two counts of robbery.

Mr Henry, giving evidence at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, admitted being in the Mercedes Benz that travelled from London to Ongar, but that he was "out of it" after taking drugs and was not aware of a crime being committed.

He also denied plotting the raid while at a party in Manchester earlier that month.

Elizabeth Cook/PA Media Romario Henry, 31 (left) and Oludewa Okorosobo, 28, appearing at Chelmsford Crown CourtElizabeth Cook/PA Media
Romario Henry, 31 (left) and Oludewa Okorosobo, 28, both deny two counts of robbery

Mr Okorosobo told police he was "incapable" of carrying out a robbery having been stabbed in the leg in September 2021.

Ali Sesay, 28, of Holding Street, Rainham, Kent, has already admitted two counts of robbery.

'Foot soldier'

"You need to be sure these defendants before you were in it together with others including Mr Sesay," said Mr Turner.

"Provided you're sure of that, you do not need to be sure of precise roles and responsibilities either in the planning, the run up or during events on the night.

"You do not need to be sure for example who's the mastermind and who's the gopher, who's the captain and who's a foot soldier."

Essex Police A jury handout in the Mark Cavendish robbery trialEssex Police
Prosecutors said the defendants left the property at about 02:25 GMT on 27 November 2021

Jurors were told a fourth and fifth suspect, Jo Jobson and George Goddard, have not been traced.

The prosecuting and defending barristers were due to sum up their cases on Wednesday.

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