Neighbour denies murder threats

Krystal Hart was three months pregnant when she was shot dead

A woman has denied trying to take out a contract on the life of her pregnant neighbour shot dead on her doorstep.

Krystal Hart, 22, died after being shot twice at her home in Belleville Road, Battersea, south London, last April.

Ms Hart had been involved in a dispute with Angie Brewer, 53, described by the prosecution at the Old Bailey as a "neighbour from hell".

Ms Brewer's friend Thomas Hughes, 40, from Stonells Road, Battersea, denies murder and a firearms charge.

Mr Hughes is alleged to have shot Miss Hart after falling out with her boyfriend - only minutes after getting a call from Miss Brewer on 6 April last year.

'Utter lie'

Miss Hart had been involved in a long-running dispute with Miss Brewer at the time of the incident on 6 April 2007, jurors heard.

Mr Hughes parked his car in front of Miss Hart's home and became angry when Miss Hart's boyfriend David Siveter wrote down his car's number plate. Later he kicked at Miss Hart's door.

Under cross-examination by Baroness Mallalieu, QC, defending Mr Hughes, Miss Brewer said she had not made any threats to Miss Hart.

She was asked if, two weeks before the murder, she had befriended a woman traffic control officer who had "listened at great length" to her complaints.

Miss Brewer became angry when Lady Mallalieu said: "You asked her 'Do you know anyone with a gun?"'

Miss Brewer said it was "a complete and utter lie" and said the traffic officer had been making advances on her.

Lady Mallalieu continued, alleging Miss Brewer said: "If I knew anyone with a gun, I would pay them to kill her?"

Miss Brewer denied this, saying it was an "utter lie".

The trial was adjourned until Monday.