Shot man 'did not defend himself'

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A young father did not defend himself as he was shot outside his east London home, a witness has told a court.

Peter Woodhams, 22, of Canning Town, died last August after being shot by Bradley Tucker, 18, of Canning Town.

Witness Anthony Bailey said Mr Woodhams "wasn't acting in a threatening manner" when he was shot. "He didn't even look like he was trying to defend himself."

At the Old Bailey Mr Tucker admits Mr Woodhams' manslaughter, but has denied murdering him.

Mr Tucker's co-accused, a 17-year-old youth - who cannot be named for legal reasons - also denies murder. The pair have also pleaded not guilty to firearms offences.

The 21 August 2006 shooting was said to have been the "final chapter" in a seven-month campaign of violence and bullying against Mr Woodhams.

Jurors heard that earlier that day Mr Woodhams chased a group of youths before driving to the home he shared with his fiancee Jane Bowden, 24, and their three-year-old son.

He moved back and the man that was shooting advanced towards him while the shooting was carrying on Witness Anthony Bailey Mr Woodhams was subsequently shot after leaving the house.

Mr Bailey said he was 60ft away from the shooting. He said he saw the gunman with a pistol in his right hand, firing about eight times.

"There were other people around who were quite shocked at the noise, although I didn't realise what I was actually seeing at the time," Mr Bailey told the court.

"(Mr Woodhams) moved back and the man that was shooting advanced towards him while the shooting was carrying on and this was all very quick."

The gunman, who was wearing a high-visibility jacket, then ran off and was joined by another man, he said.

Mr Bailey added: "The lady outside, whose house it was, was in some distress and was down on the floor with the man that had been shot. There was somebody there trying to comfort her and reassure her."

'Broad daylight'

A paramedic performed emergency surgery on Mr Woodhams in the back of an ambulance, but he was declared dead at the Royal London Hospital.

Charles Bott, defending the 17-year-old, asked Mr Bailey: "The gunman either didn't notice that you were there or didn't care? It all went on in spite of the fact that you were standing on the pavement in broad daylight watching it happen?"

"Yes," Mr Bailey replied.

Earlier on Thursday another witness told the court he heard a teenager warn "I will have him" minutes before Mr Woodhams was shot.

Trevor Jerman said he was walking home when he passed three youths sitting on a fence near some telephone boxes.

He said a mixed-race youth wearing a fluorescent jacket told the other youths: "If he comes back, if he wants a row, I'll row with him."