Murder accused left the country because his 'life was in danger', jury told

A murder accused told a jury that he left the country after a shooting because his 'life was in danger'.

Abdul Ahsan is accused of shooting Andre Marshall dead in Urmston in 2015. Manchester Crown Court has heard that Mr Ahsan was arrested on suspicion of murder but left the country and headed to Pakistan.

He was extradited back to the UK earlier this year. Mr Ahsan denies murder. Mr Marshall, 29, was found dead in a car park near St Clement’s Church after he had been shot seven times.

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Prosecutors have alleged that it was an 'execution style killing’ which was 'carried out against a background of gang crime'. Jurors have heard that Mr Marshall was said to have been a member of the Gooch Gang.

Mr Ahsan and Mr Marshall were said to have been 'criminal associates’. During his evidence, Mr Ahsan has said that he began carrying out 'favours' for Mr Marshall and began moving cash and drugs.

Mr Ahsan has said that on May 19, 2015, the day of the alleged murder, he had been the passenger in Mr Marshall's BMW. He said that two men got into the car after some money had been collected.

The defendant said that a 'dispute' arose after there was found to be a 'shortage' of money. Mr Ahsan has told the jury that he 'jumped out' of the vehicle because he 'didn't want to be there'.

As he gave evidence for a second day, Mr Ahsan said that he initially spoke to the police as a witness. Mr Ahsan accepted that not everything he told the police had been true. He told officers that he had been dropped off earlier that day.

Asked why, he said: "I didn't want to tell anyone I was there. I had to say what I had to say to save myself, and that's what came first. I came first."

Mr Ahsan said that he was in his Lexus with some friends when he was arrested on May 25. Asked how he felt following his arrest, the defendant said: "In a way it was possible that I may have been expecting it, but I didn't know what what to think. I felt like it was quite ridiculous."

He also accepted that he hadn't told the truth in an interview with police following his arrest. Asked why, Mr Ahsan said: "The dangers that it came with. I am possibly dealing with the people who was responsible for what happened, and the Gooch Gang. I didn't know where to turn."

Jurors heard that he answered questions during an interview on May 26, but gave 'no comment' interviews on May 27 and 28. Mr Ahsan said that he was released on bail, and given a 'threat to safety' notice.

The jury also heard that Mr Ahsan's family called 999 to report that 'threats' had been made. "Our safety was at risk, there's no doubt about that," he said. "I eventually left my home. I left for Pakistan."

Asked why, he said: "It was pretty clear at the time that there were threats to me, that my life was in danger. The Gooch Gang on the one hand, and the people that was responsible on the other.

"I was lost. I just needed to escape, I needed to leave. I needed to go somewhere where I actually felt safe." Mr Ahsan, of no fixed address, denies murder.

Proceeding.