JURORS have retired to considered their verdicts in an alleged aggravated burglary case.

Christopher McKeown, 41, and Shaun Collett, 36, are accused of going to Karl McKenzie’s home in Saxton Road, Abingdon, in February armed with a machete and bicycle ‘D’ lock.

The men deny allegations of aggravated burglary and causing actual bodily harm.

READ MORE: 'Aggravated burglary' allegation denied

McKeown, of no fixed address, says he went to the house after being told McKenzie was selling drugs to children – an allegation denied by the complainant – and only intended to ‘scare’ the man.

Collett, of Brampton Close, Abingdon, claimed in an interview with Thames Valley Police detectives that he was asleep at the time – having got ‘w*****ed’.

Closing his client’s case to the jury yesterday, Derek Barry, reminded the panel that it was for the Crown to prove its case against Collett. “His case is that he wasn’t there. He doesn’t have to prove that he wasn’t there,” the barrister said.

The jury retired on Tuesday morning, returning at 4.15pm to be sent home for the day by Judge Maria Lamb.

The circuit judge, who has presided over the week-long trial, reminded the members of the jury that they should not talk about the case until they had all returned to their jury retirement room at the crown court this morning.

The case continues.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward