Hitman refuses to give evidence

Allan Savage told the judge "I have nothing else to say, sir"

An elderly hitman has refused to give evidence at the trial of a man who allegedly hired him to murder a newsagent 27 years ago.

Allan Savage, 72, who was jailed for life earlier this year, refused to go into the witness box and answer questions.

He had been due to be the first witness against businessman Robert Ward, from Banstead in Surrey, who is also charged with murder.

The judge at the Old Bailey told Savage he was in contempt of court and could be punished accordingly.

Affair with mother

Savage, from Hastings in East Sussex, confessed to the 1976 murder of newsagent Geoffrey Small after seeing an appeal on the BBC's Crimewatch programme in September 2002.

He was jailed for life in February this year.

The court heard Mr Ward, 46, was arrested after Savage told police he had hired him to kill Mr Small because the newsagent was having an affair with his mother.

Mr Small, a 46-year-old married man with two children, was shot at his shop in Sutton, Surrey, on 6 September 1976.

Geoffrey Small was shot dead at his Surrey shop in 1976

Savage was summoned to court from prison to give evidence, but when called to the witness box told Judge Martin Stephens: "I have nothing else to say, sir."

The jury was sent home early while the court considered the legal position.

Earlier the court heard Mr Ward had told police he had been a friend of Savage but that Savage "often lied".

But prosecutor Nicholas Hilliard told the jury: "Mr Savage says Bobby Ward knew his mother had been having an affair.

"The defendant was upset about that and made it clear that he wanted something done about it."

He said although Savage shot Mr Small, Ward was equally responsible, according to the jailed man's account.

"He is as guilty of murder as if his finger had been on the trigger," Mr Hilliard said.

The trial was adjourned until Wednesday.