WOLVERLEY postmaster Richard Watkins was acting in self-defence when he stabbed to death a robber armed with a sawn-off shotgun, Worcester Crown Court was told.

The gun was pointed in his face by 28-year-old Scott Griffiths and Mr Watkins was defending himself, said Mr Richard Latham QC, prosecuting.

The unsuccessful raid was the last in a series by a Black Country gang who carried out violent robberies on vulnerable commerical outlets such as shops, sub-Post Offices, a pub and restaurant, said Mr Latham.

He alleged that Griffiths, whose body was later found at Wall Heath, was a member of the gang which carried out robberies between April and June last year.

Wayne Davies, 26, of Himley Road, Dudley, Neal Frost, 33, of George Street, Wordsley, Patrick Crane, 38, of no fixed address, and Michelle Sykes, 21, of Sudderley Gardens, Dudley, deny conspiracy to rob.

Davies and Frost also pleaded not guilty to having a sawn-off shotgun when commiting an offence.

The prosecution case was made up of tiny pieces of evidence such as telephone calls, stolen cars used as getaway vehicles, sightings at significant times, fingerprints and DNA matches, said Mr Latham.

He urged the jury to put the "jigsaw" together and take an overview of the case. Various disguises such as balaclavas and baseball caps had been used.

Mr Latham said that the gang was a close-knit group and although they might not all have been physically present at every robbery, they were involved in the planning and disposal of proceeds.

The trial is expected to last five weeks.