A PUBLICAN told a murder trial he received a death threat after telling police a man wanted for a killing was drinking in his pub.

Alan Jones, former landlord of the Compton Arms, in Dyke Road, Seven Dials, Brighton, dialled 999 when he realised Colin Stacey was in his pub.

At the time, on November 1, 1997, police were searching for the people responsible for the murder of Leigh Shaw outside the Valley Social Club in Whitehawk Way, Brighton.

Stacey, 30 of Plaistow Close, and Ryan Bish, 23, of Limney Road, on the Whitehawk estate, both deny murdering American Express employee Mr Shaw.

Stacey is also charged with maliciously wounding Mr Shaw with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Mr Jones told Lewes Crown Court that he dialled 999 after Stacey had allegedly confessed to being involved in the attack during a conversation with a regular at the pub.

Mr Jones said that as Stacey left the pub at about 9.15pm, he asked where he could buy an Argus. Mr Jones told him that he could buy one at a nearby garage or at Brighton station.

The next day Stacey and Bish phoned their solicitor, who took them to Brighton police station.

Mr Jones said that on Saturday, November 1, two days after the attack on Mr Shaw, Stacey went into the pub with a woman friend. He asked for a pint and a half of lager, then started a telephone conversation with a woman who was heard shouting down the phone.

Mr Jones said that Stacey started talking with a regular customer and, as a result of what the customer told him, he telephoned the police and kept the glass which Stacey had been drinking out of.

Mr Camden Pratt QC, who represents Bish, asked Mr Jones if he had been threatened prior to giving evidence in the court and he replied that he had been phoned at home.

Asked what the caller said, Mr Jones replied: "I was told if I turned up in court I would be dead."

As a result of that call, police gave Mr Jones a special escort to and from court.

Earlier, the jury was told that police were tipped off that bloodstained clothing had been dumped in the garden of a house in Whitehawk Way by a woman whose voice sounded like Maria Burbidge, the mother of Stacey's girlfriend, Lisa.

The black plastic bag contained bloodstained training shoes worn by Bish and a bloodstained beige top that had been worn by Stacey on the night of the attack.

It was been dumped in the garden of Maria Burbidge's house after the property was searched by police.

The trial continues.

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