THE jury in a murder trial was told that they might consider the evidence against the two suspects as "damning".

Luke Lovell and Gordon Smith deny involvement in the killing of 22-year-old Lee Pettite who was shot in the back in March.

A third man – Christopher Stubbs, 21 – has admitted murder and being the gunman in the incident in Eston, near Middlesbrough.

The prosecution at Teesside Crown Court say that it was "a targeted, persistent and planned attack” involving all three.

It is said Mr Lovell, 22, and 23-year-old Mr Smith engaged in a “pincer movement” in pursuit of the victim as he ran off.

Mr Pettite was shot once in the foot and once in the back when an earlier argument with Stubbs resulted in a confrontation.

Prosecutor Nick Johnson suggested that the defence cases of Mr Lovell and Mr Smith were "an affront to common sense".

During his closing speech, Mr Johnson said: "It is a nonsense that these defendants were not fully in the picture."

He told the panel that they could be sure the three defendants intended Mr Pettite to suffer at least serious harm.

Mr Lovell and Mr Smith say they had no idea Stubbs would shoot Mr Pettite and had no desire to involve themselves.

Mr Smith said he had gone to the scene to watch a bare-knuckle fight, and Mr Lovell said he was there to ensue it was fair.

Mr Johnson described the former's account as "a three wise monkeys defence" and said the latter had a pool cue.

Stubbs, 21, of Tyne Street, South Bank, near Middlesbrough, has been remanded in custody before his sentencing.

The trial of Mr Lovell, 22, of Wilton Way, Eston and Mr Smith, 23, of Laburnum Road, Teesville, Middlesbrough, continues.