19/10/06 - Jury told evidence is 'web of lies'
By David Giles
Essex Evening Echo

A web of lies was elaborately constructed by the star witness in a murder trial to shift the blame from himself to the accused, a jury was told.

Damon Alvin has been giving evidence for almost two weeks at Chelmsford Crown Court against Ricky Percival, 27, of Cricketfield Grove, Leigh, who is accused of shooting police informant Dean Boshell in February, 2001.

Mr Alvin, 33, formerly of Rushbottom Lane, Benfleet, had told the court he saw Percival shoot Mr Boshell from behind and that Percival also carried out a number of violent crimes, including three attempted murders.

Defending Percival, Andrew Bright QC, said Mr Alvin - who was originally charged with the murder - turned on Percival when he was worried he would be convicted.

At the end of his cross-examination, he told Mr Alvin: "You knew Essex Police were desperate to put Ricky Percival behind bars.

"You knew they were going to arrest his closest friends and offer them deals to get them to grass him up.

"So you knew that the police would open their arms if you came over to them and grassed on Ricky Percival.

"The person responsible for the murder of Dean Boshell was you and three other people."

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 offence.

The trial continues.