A MAN charged with murdering an innocent pensioner in a pub was involved in a drive-by shooting four months earlier, a court heard yesterday.

The prosecution said the victim of that offence, teenager Alan Miller, had been the intended target when 72-year-old Fred Fowler was shot dead in the Tap and Barrel, in Hendon, Sunderland.

Toby Hedworth QC, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court that Robert Fox, 37, of Harold Square, Hendon, who had put together a gang to kill a member of a rival family, had fired at Miller in March 2004.

Mr Hedworth said Fox was carrying a shotgun on the night of the pub shooting in July 2004 and was accompanied by Robert Chapman, who wielded a revolver -the same revolver Fox had previously fired at Alan Miller.

He said: "This does not, in itself, mean that he is guilty of the offence on July 18, but the fact that he used a gun, and the fact that it turned out to be the same gun used by Robert Chapman, this is significant evidence to support our assertion that Fox was one of the two gunmen in the Tap and Barrel."

The court heard that Michael Nixon was drinking in the Tap and Barrel that night and was mistaken for Mr Miller. Mr Nixon was shot in the head, leaving him permanently brain damaged and suffering from epilepsy. Mr Fowler was shot in the head and chest.

The court heard that Fox fired the shotgun through the pub window, led the way inside, then Chapman opened fire.

Chapman, 37, of no fixed abode, but formerly of Hartlepool, was convicted of murder, attempted murder and using a revolver at a previous trial.

Forensic evidence gathered from the scene by Dr Mark Robinson proved the same handgun had been used in both incidents, the court was told.

The court heard that Fox was sentenced in August at Newcastle Crown Court for possessing a weapon with intent to endanger life for the March 2004 incident.

Mr Hedworth said Fox told Miller's father he would slaughter his sons.

On the night of the March shooting, he said Miller was standing outside a friend's house when Fox drove past.

The car stopped and four or five gunshots were fired.

In the current case, Fox denies murder, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm and two charges of possessing a firearm.

The trial continues.