A young man was lured to Merseyside to buy a car before being shot dead in a 'merciless execution'.
At Miguel Reynolds' murder trial today, a court heard that the 21-year-old was 'ruthlessly' gunned down in Netherton after reportedly being robbed.
A trial into the killing opened at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday with seven men accused of murder; conspiracy to rob; conspiracy to possess firearms; and conspiracy to possess ammunition.
According to Manchester Evening News, all seven have denied all the charges brought against them.
The court heard that a 'pre-robbery meeting' was held in defendant Dale Avery’s back garden in Netherton on June 7, 2018.
Jurors were told that Liam Watson, Paul Blackhurst, James Harrison and Jake Mawhinney were there.
As Mr Reynolds and his friend parked up near a row of locked garages, they were met by three of the accused - Mr Watson, Kyle Sanders and Joseph McKeever.
Mr Mawhinney, Mr Harrison and Mr Blackhurst were stood nearby as 'muscle', prosecutor Ian Unsworth QC told the court.
He explained to jurors that as one of the men 'fumbled with a lock', Mr Watson 'pulled a handgun' and demanded money from Mr Reynolds.
Mr Reynolds and his pal handed over £2,000 before being ordered to leave, and Mr Reynolds then pursued the alleged robbers.
After he chased the men - who split up - a shot was fired, but it did not hit Mr Reynolds.
The court was told that Mr Reynolds chased Mr Watson onto Assissian Crescent, before he was 'shot in the neck' at 'close range'.
Mr Unsworth said that resident Joyce Lennon, who was out mopping her porch, witnessed what she described as a 'merciless execution'.
She described Mr Watson's 'arm held out, his gun aimed at Miguel Reynolds' and said 'he shot at him from very close range'.
The prosecutor told the jury: "The bullet entered his chest, perforated vital organs and passed through his abdomen and was later found within the abdominal wall."
Despite the best efforts of staff at Aintree hospital, Mr Reynolds was later pronounced dead.
The jury also heard that following the shooting, the six men met at a property belonging to a friend of Mr Sanders.
From there, numerous calls and texts were made between the men and Emma Kirby - Mr Avery's then-partner.
The jury heard Ms Kirby messaged Mr Sanders, telling him: "Listen, Dale has just seen 5/6 x5 flying down by your garages keep your eye out mate."
Keep up to date with the latest news in your area by entering your postcode below
Liam Watson, 32, of Litherland Park, Litherland; Kyle Sanders, 22, of Charles Best Green, Netherton; Joseph McKeever, 29, of Howard Florey Avenue, Litherland; Paul Blackhurst, 27, of Cumpsty Road, Litherland; James Harrison, 23, of Kirkstone Road North, Litherland; Jake Mawhinney 21, of Royton Road, Waterloo; and Dale Avery, 26, of Marie Curie Avenue, Netherton all deny murder.
They also deny conspiracy to rob; conspiracy to possess firearms; and conspiracy to possess ammunition.
Ms Kirby, 23, of Marie Curie Avenue, denies assisting an offender.
The trial continues.
Proceeding
