Reggae night killing 'motiveless'

Natasha Derby died the day after being shot on a dance floor

A woman shot dead on a dance floor at a party was the victim of an apparently motiveless killing, a court has heard.

Natasha Derby, 23, was shot in the head at the Multi-Racial Centre in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, on 4 September, in front of 100 people.

At Reading Crown Court, Dwane Haughton, 28, of Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, denied charges of murder, manslaughter and possessing ammunition.

Ms Derby, from High Wycombe, died on 5 September at Wycombe General Hospital.

Michael Wood QC, prosecuting, said people at the party recalled hearing "something like a bottle breaking, some recognised it as a gun shot, and some thought it was a bottle of champagne being opened".

No-one saw a gun or anyone firing a shot at the club in St Mary Street, he said.

During their inquiry, police found a gun cartridge at the scene which bore a print from Mr Haughton's left hand ring finger, the court was told.

The trial continues.