Murder trial told of man's £25,000 spree

Former off-shore rig worker Simon Mullen, 39, is alleged to have shot Christopher Hartley, 45, after he was lured to a country road in Clayton West last September on the pretext of a drugs deal.

A court heard yesterday how unemployed Mullen bought a 63- inch TV, a Blu-Ray home entertainment system, a 50-inch TV for his girlfriend, a 2,500 stereo system for his car, more than 2,000 worth of furniture and a Transit van for 3,500.

Mullen also spent 7,000 on repairs to his own car and a further 1,400 to attend a course for the renewal of his off-shore licence.

Mr Hartley's body was found in Litherop Lane and when police searched his home in Tingley, they discovered a drugs factory.

Alistair McDonald, prosecuting, told a jury at Bradford Crown Court Mr Hartley was clearly a manufacturer of controlled drugs but he alleged a drugs deal was only the pretext for luring the victim to the scene of the killing.

Mr McDonald said Mr Hartley had been the dominant and sometimes violent partner in a relationship with David Large, 35, of Rona Croft,

Rothwell, Leeds.

But in 2008 Large began a relationship with a Netherton woman, Dawn Mallinson, on Facebook.

Large and Miss Mallinson split up in July but Mr McDonald told the court Large was becoming sick of the situation with Mr Hartley and told her he was going to "sort it out".

Large and Mullen, of Farding Square, South Shields, both deny the

murder of Mr Hartley.

The hearing continues.