Murder accused 'was drug dealer'

The couple were gunned down at their home in Lincolnshire

A Nottingham man accused of shooting a couple in their seaside bungalow in Lincs has admitted he sold drugs in the area where they were killed.

But John Russell, 29, of Northcote Way, Nottingham has denied involvement in their murders.

The bodies of John Stirland, 55, and his wife Joan, 51, were found at their home in Trusthorpe in August 2004.

Mr Russell is one of eight men being tried for conspiracy to murder at Birmingham Crown Court.

Phone records

The couple were shot dead in what the prosecution has described as a "ruthless execution".

Prosecuting lawyers have told the court that mobile phone records show all eight defendants were involved in the murder plot - and John Russell was one of the two gunmen.

Mr Russell told the court he was a prolific burglar and said he sold drugs for a co-defendant who can not be named for legal reasons.

He claimed his phone records related to trips he had made to deliver amphetamines.

Mr Russell said he heard about the shooting on the news the following day.

But he said he panicked, and changed his phone and SIM card because he knew they could be traced to the area.

The prosecution has argued that the murder was a revenge killing for the death of a teenager who became sick after his friend was murdered by Joan Stirland's son.

'Revenge killings'

Michael O'Brien was jailed for the murder of Marvyn Bradshaw in Nottingham in 2003.

But John Russell said he believed the teenager's illness had been caused by drinking and partying.

The eight defendants allegedly blamed O'Brien for both deaths and sought to avenge them by murdering his parents.

The other defendants are: Michael McNee, 20, of no fixed address; Shane Bird, 38, of Carlton Hill, Nottingham; and Kevin Holm, 38, of Cliff Road, Carlton, Nottingham; Andrew McKinnon, 21, of no fixed address and Lanelle Douglas, 20, of no fixed address.

A 38-year-old man and a 40-year-old man cannot be named for legal reasons.

The case continues.