A SECURITY firm boss told a court yesterday how he was gunned down by a business rival when they met in a park.

Martin Manderville, 39, said he anticipated there might be violence in the meeting with his former business partner, George Doneathy, at Preston Park, near Stockton.

He said he got out of his P-registration Vectra car inside the gates, where Mr Doneathy, 35, waited in his Mitsubishi Shogun.

When Mr Doneathy climbed out of the car, he was carrying a sawn-off shotgun, which he pointed at Mr Manderville's stomach, Mr Manderville claimed.

He told Teesside Crown Court: "I think I used the words 'There's no need for that', meaning bringing a firearm. I can't remember what he said.

"After that, I said 'If you're going to shoot me, shoot me'. It was more bravado, thinking I could bring Mr Doneathy back from the situation. But he pulled the trigger and said 'There, I've shot you'."

Mr Manderville said that he was blasted backwards and fell to the ground holding his stomach while his intestines spilled out.

He said he managed to reach his mobile phone and ring 999 for the emergency services.

He was taken to hospital where he stayed for two months, first unconscious and in intensive care.

Mr Manderville, of Rhinog Grove, Ingleby Barwick, Teesside, said that he and Mr Doneathy had been partners in a nightclub and store security businesses, but their relationship deteriorated, and he bought out Mr Doneathy for £10,000.

Mr Doneathy started up a rival security business.

The court was told that on the day of the shooting he was told by a friend that Mr Doneathy wanted to talk to him. They spoke by phone and arranged the Preston Park meeting.

Christopher Attwooll, prosecuting, said that Mr Doneathy later handed himself in to the police, claiming that Mr Manderville pulled the gun on him and that it went off during a struggle, shooting Mr Manderville.

The court was told that he dumped the gun and the clothes he had worn into the River Tees, at Thornaby Bridge. But police divers found no trace of them.

Mr Doneathy, of Appleby Close, Eaglescliffe, pleads not guilty to attempted murder on February 27 last year, having a firearm with intent to commit an offence and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The case continues.