A gunman who attempted to kill a man used a "lethally" modified shotgun, it is alleged.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Arthur Pattinson, 42, shot Stanley Creswell, 36, using a gun loaded with a home-made shotgun round which had been modified to cause more damage.

The 4.10 shotgun cartridge had been emptied of lead pellets and packed with a single 10mm steel ball bearing instead.

However, the ball bearing hit Thomas Anderson in the groin after passing through the arm of the intended target, Stanley Creswell, and then through a garden gate.

Anderson was one of the men who had paid Pattinson to shoot Mr Creswell, the court heard.

The court heard Pattinson had been hired by the Anderson brothers to kill Mr Creswell following a long running feud with William "Ike" Anderson, 29, over £60,000.

Thomas Anderson had informed Pattinson by phone that his target had arrived at his home in Clydesdale Street, Hetton-le-Hole, Wearside, the court was told.

But Anderson had not bargained for Mr Creswell confronting him about an earlier altercation at his home, and Pattinson took aim from a Ford Mondeo as the two men stood outside.

William Anderson, of High Street, Easington Lane, Houghton-le-Spring, has admitted two charges of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, relating to threats made to Mr Creswell and his friends before the shooting.

He denies conspiracy to harrass and conspiracy to murder.

Stanley Anderson, of North View, Easington Lane, Houghton-le-Spring, Thomas Anderson, of Borrowdale Street, Hetton-le-Hole, and William Anderson, of High Street, Easington Lane, all deny conspiracy to harrass and conspiracy to murder.

The trial continues.