Jury sworn in for trial of nine men

A jury has been sworn in the trial of nine men – including one from Leicester – accused of killing a 37-year-old at his home.

They have all pleaded not guilty to murdering David Gower in an attack in which he was stabbed in the chest and shot at his home in Bulkington, Warwickshire, on June 26 last year.

All nine have also pleaded not guilty to conspiring between June 21 and June 27 to unlawfully and maliciously inflict grievous bodily harm on Luigi Prota with intent to cause serious injury.

In the dock at Warwick Crown Court were Leroy Smith (47), of Boulder Lane, Saffron Lane, Leicester; Gary Rahim (40), of Armstrong Avenue, Coventry; Colin Potter (45), of Hipswell Highway, Coventry; David Simmons (27), of Elm Close, Coventry; Seymour Young (46), from Steadman Court, Old Street, London; Harold Hurst (47) and Mark Francke (43), who may also be known as David Kerr, both of Seymour Road, Derby; Cleavone Fisher (34), from Wilton Road, Crumpsall, Manchester; and Craig Halls (38) of Bessell Lane, Stapleford, Nottingham.