Shooting accused: I did not leave father to die in city woodland

Anthony Micah Pyke yesterday denied responsibility for the death of Colin Pierre and said he was not present at the time of the fatal shooting.

Mr Pierre, 31, bled to death after being shot in the leg and left to die in woodland off Gledhow Valley Road in March 11 this year.

Prosecutors say Mr Pierre, 31, was shot as a punishment meted out by Pyke, who operated an extensive drug dealing network.

Pyke, 32, of Gordon Terrace, Meanwood, Ian Wilson, 37, and Trevor Isles, 49, both of Highfield Green, Pudsey, deny murder and two offences of kidnapping.

Pyke yesterday denied any involvement in the shooting when he gave evidence to Leeds Crown Court. He said he had first been told about a shooting by a man he had gone to meet to sell drugs to in Harehills Avenue. Pyke said: “I started to panic at first. I asked him to take me back up to where it happened and he did.” Pyke said he went into the woods with the man and there was no sign of an ambulance or police. He said he then saw the body in a stream.

Pyke said he then drove the man back to a house on Harehills Avenue where they picked up a woman. He said he drove the pair to a nearby phone box where he thought they would contact emergency services.

Andrew Stubbs, QC, Wilson’s barrister, said: “Mr Wilson’s case is that you produced the gun and shot Colin Pierre. You do understand that don’t you?” Pyke said: “Yes.” Mr Stubbs said: “So he’s a grass?” Pyke replied: “No, he’s got his identity mistaken.”

The trial continues.