SCOTTISH ex-footballer Frank McAvennie was used to book a hotel room for a fugitive on the run following a gangland killing, a court was told yesterday.

Michael Dixon booked into the Brabloch Hotel, in Glasgow, with taxi driver Craig Shepherd, under the Scottish star's name, as police hunted him in connection with the death of Freddie Knights, in Newcastle, in September 2000.

Dixon was convicted in September 2002 of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm after Mr Knights was shot outside his mother's home.

But the 33-year-old had gone on the run when he realised police were about to arrest him in connection with the killing.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Craig Shepherd, 29, rang his friend, Mr McAvennie, the former Scotland, Celtic and West Ham star, to ask him to book a room for Dixon in May 2001.

But the court heard how a plot to get Dixon overseas was foiled by police when they were arrested outside Glasgow passport office with fake documents.

Mr Shepherd, Dixon's partner Angela McKay and a friend, Sarah Dillon, are accused of helping Dixon to flee the country.

Glasgow-born McAvennie, who was called as a witness, told the court: "I have known Craig Shepherd for about three-and-a-half years. We both live in the Newcastle area.

"On the day in question, Craig rang my mobile while I was in Glasgow. He said he was finding it difficult to find a hotel. I said that I would see what I could do.

"Craig didn't say what he was doing in Glasgow - I didn't ask.

"I phoned two hotels in Paisley. One was the Brabloch. They told me they had no vacancies. I told them it was for a friend of mine.

"I played football for Scotland years ago and I get deals at certain hotels. They put me on to the Glynn Hill Hotel and I booked a twin room for Craig."

Euan Duff, summing up the case for the prosecution, said Mr McAvennie had "got his lines wrong" and the room was in fact booked at the Brabloch.

He said: "Michael Dixon was wanted for conspiracy to murder. What should you do if you wanted to get out of the country quickly and who should you call on? You should ask someone who you can trust and depend on. Craig Shepherd was that person."

Earlier, Mr Shepherd told the court: "Michael Dixon asked me to take him to Glasgow so he could get a passport to visit his dad in Holland, who was ill. I didn't suspect anything and didn't have a problem with it."

Ms McKay, 29, of Blackwell Avenue; Ms Dillon, 30, of Ulverstone Terrace; and Mr Shepherd, 29, of Tirrel Place, all Newcastle, deny assisting an offender in May 2001. The trial continues.