Youth sent to crown court in connection with Burghfield armed robbery

The 17-year-old, who can not be identified for legal reasons, was arrested following the incident which took place at 7.30pm on Monday, March 17.
On the afternoon of Thursday, March 27, he appeared in the dock at West Berkshire Magistrates’ Court in Newbury, having been brought from youth custody by contractors GeoAmey.
He is charged with robbery, possessing an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and assault with intent to resist or prevent his lawful apprehension.
Simon Grant, for the youth, applied for bail on his client’s behalf.
This was opposed by Helen Waite, prosecuting, on behalf of the police.
After retiring to consider the bail application, magistrates rejected it.
They further ruled that the allegation amounted to a grave crime and, as such, should be committed to the Crown court to be dealt with.
The youth, who was flanked in the dock by two security officers, spoke only to confirm his details and to deny the charges.
He was remanded into youth custody to appear before a judge at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, April 10.