A man accused of killing a pensioner and wounding a teenager when he and an accomplice sprayed a bar with bullets told a court yesterday he had nothing to do with the shootings.

Robert Chapman is accused of bursting into the Tap and Barrel pub in Hendon, Sunderland, with Robert Fox on July 18 last year.

Fred Fowler, 72, died and Michael Nixon, 19, will never fully recover from his injuries.

Prosecutors claim Mr Fox and Mr Chapman carried out the shootings to target a rival of Mr Fox.

Mr Fox has told jurors at Newcastle Crown Court how he sent Mr Chapman, William Tobin and another man into the pub to confront a gang known as the Hendon Mad Dogs who had been terrorising his family.

But Mr Chapman told jurors yesterday he was in Billingham at the time. His barrister, Malcolm Swift QC, asked Chapman: "Did you have any involvement in these dreadful events of Sunday 18th?"

Mr Chapman replied: "No I never."

Mr Fox, 37, of Redhouse, Sunderland, and Mr Chapman, 36, of Hartlepool, deny murder, attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent and firearms charges.

Tobin, of Hartlepool, has admitted conspiracy to commit affray and assisting offenders and will be sentenced at a future date.

The trial continues.