Robbery charges dropped against Newbury man Elliott DaSilva

PROSECUTORS have abandoned robbery charges, after a man was sent for trial.

Reading magistrates initially told Elliott DaSilva his case would be heard by a judge and jury sitting at Reading Crown Court.

The 29-year-old from Newbury, currently said to be of no fixed address, was also accused of a knife crime.

Specifically, Mr DaSilva was charged with robbing Stephen Bailey of alcohol in Newbury and of possessing a bladed article in Kings Road, Newbury on Tuesday, May 16.

However, since the hearing, senior crown prosecutor Meena Shinh, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Following a change in circumstances, we reviewed this case and concluded that there was no longer sufficient evidence to prosecute the defendant for robbery or having a bladed article.

“Elliott DaSilva was charged with theft and pleaded guilty to this offence at a hearing on November 10 at Reading Crown Court.”