Son of shot man told police attack meant for him

THE son of a man who was allegedly murdered told police how he thought those responsible were aiming for him, a court has heard.

- KRISTY DAWSON Reporter

Barry Dawson, 60, was fatally shot through a downstairs window of his terraced house in South Moor, Stanley,County Durham, on April 5 this year.

Five men are currently standing trial at Teesside Crown Court charged with his murder, which they all deny.

They are 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.

A sixth defendant, Michaela Hetherington, 35, of South View Gardens, Annfield Plain, Stanley, was also on trial accused of perverting the course of justice. She has now changed her plea to guilty.

During the fourth day of the trial, a police interview with Barry's son Shane Dawson was read to the court. He told detectives how he thought those responsible were aiming for him rather than his dad. He said: “In my opinion he wasn’t aiming for my dad. He wasn't because you couldn’t see my dad.”