Accused knew gun killing victim

The Stirlands fled first to Yorkshire and then to Lincolnshire

A defendant accused of being involved in the fatal shooting of a couple has revealed that one of the victims used to be his drinking partner.

John and Joan Stirland were killed in their house in Trusthorpe, Lincs, in August 2004, in what the prosecution have described as a ruthless execution.

The jury heard the 40-year-old, who cannot be named, said he knew Mr Stirland and bore him no ill will.

He is one of eight who have denied conspiracy to murder.

The man told the court he used to go drinking with John Stirland and they knew each other reasonably well.

No revenge

There was no animosity, he said, and he denied that the Stirland's killing was terrible vengeance for a death related to a murder committed by Mrs Stirland's son - Michael O'Brien.

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

The couple, originally from Nottingham, had fled the city after a gun attack on their home.

The other defendants are John Russell, 29, of Northcote Way, Nottingham, Michael McNee, 20, of no fixed address, Shane Bird, 38, of Carlton Hill, Nottingham, Kevin Holm, 38, of Cliff Road, Carlton, Nottingham, Andrew McKinnon, 21, of no fixed address, and Lanelle Douglas, 20, of no fixed address.

Another a 38-year-old man cannot be named for legal reasons.

The trial at Birmingham Crown Court continues.