A MAN was shot dead just yards from his home as he made his way back from a party, a court heard.

John Hall, 33, died after he was attacked and shot in the back of the head as he made his way towards his home in Windsor Auenue, Bensham, Gateshead, in August last year.

Nicola Wilde and Martin Cavanagh are accused of killing Mr Hall in a pre-meditated execution. Cavanagh, 30, and Wilde, 22 - an "inseparable couple" - deny murdering Mr Hall after planning to rob him.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the couple saw Mr Hall the day before his death with a bundle of money after they borrowed £20 from him.

Mr Hall was a small-time drug dealer and the jury was told how Cavanagh and Wilde were his customers.

Prosecutor Paul Batty told the court: "The two defendants were determined to have the rest of his possessions from him and, during the course of the day before his death, they planned the robbery and the shooting."

Mr Batty told how after the shooting, Wilde had told a friend that they carried out the attack with another person, after following Mr Hall from a party.

Mr Batty said: "She said Cavanagh shot him in the back of the neck. The gun had been knocked out of his hand in the struggle with Mr Hall and Cavanagh had shouted at her to shoot him.

"She said she wouldn't, but handed the gun back to Cavanagh, who did."

The court heard how Cavanagh bragged after the attack that Mr Hall had "got what was coming to him".

Mr Hall, who lived with his mother, had feared for his own safety and had armed himself for protection.

He was found with no money, valuables or drugs on him after his death.

Cavanagh and Wilde, of Hillfield Street, Bensham, Gateshead, deny murder and conspiracy to rob.

The trial continues.