THE friend of two men accused of murder has told of his involvement in the alleged killing.

William Tobin, of Kilwick Street, Hartlepool, told a jury at Newcastle Crown Court how he became an unwilling getaway driver after the botched shooting of a gangster left a pensioner dead and a young man brain-damaged.

Mr Tobin, 47, said he was told to drive accused Robert Fox and Robert Chapman from Sunderland to Hartlepool and was asked to get rid of some firearms.

He also said he was asked to give Mr Fox an alibi following the shootings of Fred Fowler, 72, and Michael Nixon, 20, at the Tap and Barrel Pub, in Salem Street, Sunderland, last July.

Mr Tobin said: "They told me that they had killed an innocent man and I asked them how they knew he was dead, and then Chapman said the back of his head had been blown off."

He said he had introduced Mr Fox, 37, of Harold Square, Hendon, Sunderland, to Mr Chapman, 36, of no fixed address, only days before.

He said Mr Chapman had agreed to help Mr Fox against a local gang, who he blamed for stealing and setting fire to his wife's car.

Mr Tobin said that, on July 18, Mr Fox had asked him to come to his house. The men jumped into the back of his car and he drove them all to a lockup.

Mr Fox and Mr Chapman both deny the murder of Mr Fowler, the attempted murder of Mr Nixon and grievous bodily harm with intent on Mr Nixon.

Mr Fox denies two charges of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possessing a firearm without a certificate.

Mr Chapman denies possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and possessing a firearm without a certificate.

The trial continues.