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‘Man killed by shotgun’ in Leeds park
A man was fatally injured after being “stalked” and blasted in the face with a shot gun, a jury heard.
Gavin Clarke, 34, died four days after being allegedly shot by Afzal Arif in Savile Avenue, Chapeltown, Leeds, on August 8 last year.
Leeds Crown Court heard Mr Clarke was shot after leaving nearby Savile Park where he had been doing fitness training.
Arif, 23, is on trial for murder alongside Sohail Mahmood, 23, who is alleged to have helped by acting as a “scout” by identifying Mr Clarke.
Three others are on trial accused of helping the pair cover up their involvement in the shooting.
Paul Greaney, prosecuting, said the motive for the killing was still a mystery but it may have been to do with Arif’s relationship with one of Mr Clarke’s relatives.
He told the court that Mr Clarke had expressed concerns to his partner that Arif may have been beating her up.
Mr Greaney described Mr Clarke as a very fit man with a background in boxing who had a “real physical presence”.
He said Mr Clarke was a creature of habit who went to Savile Park - known locally as The Rec - to train every day after finishing his work as a cleaning supervisor in the Little London area.
Arif admits firing the gun at Mr Clarke but denies murder, claiming he only intended to scare the victim. Mahmood denies any involvement in helping Arif.
Arif, 23, of Elford Grove, Harehills, denies murder but admits manslaughter. He has also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Sohail Mahmood, of Savile Road, Chapeltown, denies murder, manslaughter or conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Ibrar Din, 23, of Mexborough Street, Chapeltown, and brothers Shahid Hussain, 32, and Sajjad Hussain, 38, both of Harrogate Road, Leeds, all plead not guilty to conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Proceeding
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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