Man was shot in chest at short range, court hears

A MAN who was allegedly murdered in County Durham was "shot in the chest with a handgun at short range", a jury has heard.

- DAVID HUNTLEY

Barry Dawson was fatally shot through a downstairs window of his terraced house on Elm Street, South Moor, Stanley, on April 5, this year.

Emergency services were called to the street shortly after 5pm, but nothing could be done to save the life of the 60-year-old, who worked at the nearby KP Snacks plant. Five men were later charged with murder and are currently standing trial.

Yesterday, Kevin Dorward, 38, of New Durham Road, Stanley; Thomas Lee Sterling, 22, of The Avenue, Stanley; Kelvin Craig Lawson, 37, of Frosterley Gardens, Stanley; Keith Edward Dorward, 38, of no fixed address, and Sean Reay, 30, of Sabin Terrace, Stanley; appeared at Tees-side Crown Court. All of the men deny murder.

A sixth defendant, Michaela Hetherington, 35, of South View Gardens, Annfield Plain, Stanley, is also standing trial accused of perverting the court of justice. She denies the charge.