A MURDER trial jury was told today that the man accused of shooting Dillon Hull was at his former girlfriend's house shortly after the killing.

Preston Crown Court has heard claims from Paul Seddon, 27, of Chorley New Road, Bolton, that he was at his girlfriend's house in Clarke Street when Dillon was gunned down and the child's stepfather John Bates wounded.

Today the court heard evidence from Jeanette Kirkman in which she claimed she phoned Seddon's girlfriend, Leanne Knox, between 5.45pm and 6pm on the day the child died: August 6, 1997.

Miss Kirkman said she first had a conversation with Miss Knox about the shooting, adding: "I mentioned about the shooting that I had seen a news flash on the TV. It was myself who mentioned it to Leanne. She said: 'Froggy, there has been a shooting'."

The court heard that Miss Kirkman had a three-way conversation with Miss Knox and Paul Seddon -- who has the nickname Froggy -- in which they discussed the shooting.

The witness claimed she told Miss Knox that she thought the incident could involve John Bates, whom she knew, but admitted at the time it was an assumption on her part.

Earlier the jury heard evidence from Miss Knox's mother, Sharon Saunders, of Ivy Road, Bolton, who said she had dropped Leanne's daughter, Demi Lee, off at Clarke Street at 5.45pm.

Mrs Saunders knew what time it was because she had booked a horse riding lesson at a nearby stables, 10 minutes from her daughter's home.

Under further questioning from David Fish, QC, defending Seddon, Mrs Saunders said she had been in a rush to get to the stables after rowing with her daughter.

Mrs Saunders said Leanne had been shoplifting and she gave her "a good telling off".

Three other men -- David Hargreaves, 24, Craig Hollinrake, 25, and Brian David Roper, 22 -- deny conspiring to murder John Bates and a separate allegation of conspiring to cause him grievous bodily harm with intent.

Proceeding

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