Murder trial told Leeds man shot by ‘ruthless dealer’ over drugs deal debt

A murder trial was told Colin Pierre, 31, bled to death after being shot in the leg and left to die in woodland off Geldhow Valley Road, Gledhow, Leeds.

Mr Pierre’s body was found by a 16-year-old boy on his way to school in a stream the morning after the killing.

Leeds Crown Court heard Pierre and another man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were forced to walk from a car into the woods.

The other man was forced to kneel and Colin Pierre was shot in front of him.

Anthony Micah Pyke, 32, of Gordon Terrace, Meanwood, Ian Wilson, 37, and Trevor Isles, 49, both of Highfield Green, Pudsey, are on trial where they plead not guilty to murder and two offences of kidnapping.

The prosecution allege Mr Pierre was shot by Pyke, described as a “ruthless Leeds drug dealer” who was also known as BJ. Richard Wright, QC, prosecuting, said Pierre was shot and killed as a punishment because he had smoked some drugs that belonged to BJ and had not been able to pay him for them.

The court heard Pyke operated an extensive drug dealing network and used others to deal for him.

A few days before the killing Pyke had given the other man heroin and cocaine to sell.

Mr Wright said instead of selling them, the man and Mr Pierre smoked them and ignored all the rules of the arrangement that Pyke had dictated to him.

The prosecutor said Wilson and Isles both worked for Pyke and were responsible for collecting Mr Pierre from a house in Morley before delivering him to Pyke.

It is alleged Pyke and another unknown man walked the pair into the woods before Pyke fired the fatal shot from a 12 gauge shotgun, which took place just before 2am on March 11 this year.

The trial continues.