02/10/06 - 'Gun victim was police informant'
By James Oxley
This is Essex

A man shot to death in an allotment was a police informant who snitched on the man accused of his murder, a court was told.

Dean Boshell was gunned down at Manchester Drive allotments, in Leigh, in an execution-style killing.

Forensic tests revealed the gun used to kill him was touching the side of his head when the trigger was pulled.

Mr Boshell, who lived in Elmsleigh Drive, Leigh, at the time, but grew up in the Basildon area, was shot three times with what police believe was a Colt revolver.

His friend, Ricky Percival, 27, of Cricketfield Grove, Leigh, is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court for Mr Boshell's murder, on February 28, 2001.

Katy Griffiths, 25, of the Fairway, Leigh, and her boyfriend Kevin Walsh, 34, of Shannon Close, Leigh, are charged with perverting the course of justice.

The four friends were regular drinkers at the Woodcutters Arms, in Eastwood Road North, Leigh, and Mr Boshell, who spoke with a stutter, was often the butt of good-natured jokes.

The court was told Mr Boshell became a police informant after he was arrested for a burglary.

During later meetings, he told police about the alleged criminal activities of Percival, among others.

Among Mr Boshell's reports to the police were that Percival was involved in a robbery at Belfairs Post Office and cocaine deals.

Percival, Griffiths and Walsh all deny the charges brought against them and claimed they were shocked to hear of Mr Boshell's death.

In an earlier statement made by Percival to the police, which was read out in court, he said: "I can say there was nothing nasty about Dean.

"He was never nasty or rude."

Percival also denies perverting the course of justice, conspiracy to steal, attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

The trial continues.