The Echo's court reporter Timothy Edgley gives a behind the scenes account of what it was like to cover the Mark Noke murder case.

From the first minute of the seven-and-a-half-week trial, there was a sombre mood to proceedings as the prosecutor stood up to introduce the case.

The defendants stood silent in the dock as the jury learnt the first details of what was to come, getting their first glimpse into the shocking incident that led to the death of an innocent man. 

An audio recording was played of Mark Noke's final phone call as he pleaded for help from the emergency services, the room deathly silent otherwise. 

But as the prosecution went on to explain, no amount of hard work and effort from emergency services was enough to save the 64-year-old's life.

As the days went on, the jury began learning more about the case, but still they had not heard from the only men alive who were there on the night Mark Noke was murdered.

Around a week in, we got our first glimpse into the psyche of the men accused of this horrific crime when Keiran Claffey made his way to the witness box.

Donning a suit, the first of four defendants to give evidence, Claffey claimed he was just a lookout, denying accusations of any more serious involvement at every point.

Allegations were thrown at him throughout cross-examination, but Claffey, seemingly unfazed, stuck to his story.

Then came Morgan, the drug dealer with a newborn son who spoke quietly in the witness box, repeatedly needing to be told to speak up. 

Over days he told of his family life, his work as a drug dealer, his ongoing health issues, and the apparent shock he claimed he had when he learnt of Mr Noke's demise.

All the while, the jury stayed straight-faced, clearly deep in thought in response to the intense questioning from the team of barristers taking up the four benches in front of them.

Justin Roach was next to take to the stand. The oldest of the defendants, he chose to stand throughout as he denied any involvement in that fatal night.

Taking a defensive tone, the 40-year-old repeatedly claimed he had been at home when Mark Noke was killed, delivering sharp answers like "yes", "no", and "not at all". 

Finally came the youngest and clearly most emotional of the five accused as Bradley O'Dell approached the witness box. 

Also choosing to stand, the youthful-looking O'Dell divulged how he'd been attacked in prison and even stabbed for what he was telling the courts.

But as the evidence continued, the defendant seemingly appeared to be struggling more and more, coming out with claims about co-accused Kieran Claffey and looking agitated as claims were repeatedly thrown at him.

The day he gave evidence ended sharply as O'Dell put his head in his hands, almost weeping as the jury were sent out of the room to cries from the 22-year-old that 'I ain't a murderer'. 

Nervous anticipation built over the days that were to come, as closing speeches from the prosecution and defence barristers along with legal advice were given to the jury before they were sent out to deliberate.

The room stayed silent as they returned after just a day and a half and the foreman stood to deliver guilty verdicts for three of the five accused of murder.

Justin Roach lowered his head as he learnt of his conviction. 

Bradley O'Dell appeared riddled with anxiety as he was found guilty of manslaughter along with cellmate Morgan.

Throughout the trial, the five men would rarely speak to each other, often having conversation with security staff and their own barristers, but staring blankly ahead, almost ignoring their co-accused.

Fast forward just five days, and the courtroom was packed full of family, friends, legal teams, police and those members of the jury who wished to witness those responsible for the death be jailed. 

The five defendants from the trial were joined by two new faces in Harley Wilson and Daniel Bull, as they had pleaded guilty to their role in the conspiracy to rob before the trial. 

Claffey appeared over a link from prison, leaning on the desk in front of him as he listened to his fate. 

Leighton Tabone made his first appearance, attending on a link from HMP Winchester. 

The room fell silent once more as the family of Mark Noke delivered emotional and heartwrenching statements speaking of their much-loved brother, uncle and father. 

There was almost a sigh of relief as the judge jailed the seven men for more than 125 years combined. 

Though no sentence will be able to fill the void left by Mark Noke's death, hopefully the sentence goes some way towards helping those family and friends recover from this awful ordeal.