A MAN accused of being involved in a plot to murder a drugs gang rival has denied knowing anything about the shooting.

Anxhelo Xhaferi wasn't at the property on Charterhouse Street, Hartlepool, on the day Hemwand Ali Hussain was blasted at point blank range with a sawn-off shotgun.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the defendant was involved in the planning on the 'gangland-style' slaying and had been at the house the day before when attempts were made to lure Mr Hussain to his death.

Under cross examination from prosecution barrister Francis Fitzgibbon QC, it was put to the defendant he was involved in the lead up to the murder of the father-of-two.

"You can claim whatever you like but that is not true – I am innocent," Xhaferi replied.

"I have not been part of this plan."

The jury at Teesside Crown Court had heard detailed analysis of mobile phone records, CCTV and automatic number plate recognition data which the prosecution says connects the four men to the murder.

Xhaferi, 24, of Acton Street, Middlesbrough; Saffari, 39, of Park Lane, Middlesbrough; 33-year-old Pirija, of Trillo Avenue, Bolton; and Qazim Marku, 24, of West Drayton, all deny murder.

The trial continues.