Man denies carrying out contact killing

Former offshore worker Simon Mullen told a jury at Bradford Crown Court he was not the gunman who shot 45-year-old Tingley man Christopher Hartley in the head and chest on a quiet country road near Huddersfield last September.

The prosecution alleges Mullen, 39, of Farding Square, South Shields, was recruited by his close friend David Large to carry out the killing of his former gay lover and business partner.

It is alleged Large, of Rona Croft, Rothwell, Leeds, wanted to continue his relationship with his girlfriend and a plot was hatched to lure Mr Hartley to a lay-by on the pretext of a drug deal.

Although Mr Hartley and Large were involved in car dealing, after the killing a drugs factory for producing fake Ecstasy was discovered in a bungalow owned by Mr Hartley in the grounds of his Batley Road home.

Mullen said he had started out helping Large with cars, but later became involved in transporting thousands of fake pills from Leeds to South Shields.

He claims he was paid 500 for each trip, usually involving a consignment of 10,000 tablets. Mullen also said he had been paid 20,000 by Large after signing documents for a re-mortgage involving a property his friend owned.

Earlier this week the jury heard details of a 25,000 spending spree which Mullen went on in the weeks following the death of Mr Hartley.

Large and Mullen have both denied the murder charge.

The hearing continues.