12/10/06 - Star witness denies lying
Essex Evening Gazette

The star witness in the Leigh allotments murder trial had been lying to "save his own skin", a defence barrister claimed.

Ricky Percival, 27, of Cricketfield Grove, Leigh, is accused of shooting Dean Boshell, 24, at the Manchester Drive allotments in February, 2001

Damon Alvin, the main prosecution witness, previously told Chelmsford Crown Court he saw Percival shoot Mr Boshell, who grew up in Basildon, from behind.

Mr Alvin was originally charged with the murder but cleared after agreeing to testify against Percival.

Defending Percival, Andrew Bright QC quizzed Mr Alvin about his motives.

He said: "Your evidence has been an elaborate exercise in the art of deception, deceiving this court and this jury, when in fact, it was you behind these crimes.

"You are trying to save your own skin."

However, Mr Alvin insisted he'd told the truth.

Earlier in the day, as part of the prosecution case, he told the court about crimes Percival claimed to have committed.

One was an attack on a man in a London pub over comment he made about Percival's girlfriend.

Percival denies murder, attempted murder, perverting the course of justice, conspiracy to steal, two charges of possession of a firearm and robbery.

The trial continues.