David Croke, accused of being a hitman in the Mohammed Raja murder trial, was today accused of lying about the extent of a hand injury.

Croke, who is left-handed, is accused of murdering Mr Raja.

He told the Old Bailey a disability in his right hand would make operations such as pulling a trigger almost impossible.

Croke, of Bolney Road, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, admitted that in the past he had operated lathes and cutting tools using his right hand.

Prosecutor Tom Kark said: "The reality is, you do use both of your hands with a fair degree of ease, don't you?

"You are one of those persons who can use either hand. You would accept that, wouldn't you?"

Croke replied: "I can only show you my hand and show you what's wrong with it. I cannot use my right hand anywhere near as well as my left.

"How can I convince you I am left handed? Do you want me to write or draw circles?"

Mr Raja was shot and stabbed to death by two assassins dressed as gardeners at his home in Sutton, Surrey, on July 2 1999.

Croke is accused of carrying out the murder with Robert Knapp on the command of property tycoon Nicholas Van Hoogstraten.

Records revealed Knapp's mobile phone was used near Sutton soon after the murder and taken anti-clockwise around the M25 towards Kent, the court heard.

Croke and Knapp went there to buy drugs, prosecutors claim, and Croke's cash card was used in Crayford, Kent, that afternoon.

A later call was made from Knapp's mobile phone near Enfield, Middlesex, where Croke was living at the time with ex-wife Rita.

Croke said this later call was Knapp phoning to say he was returning Croke's card, which he had borrowed.

But Mr Kark said: "Is it not the reality that you were in the car that day, coming from the murder on the way to pick up drugs?

"It was you using your card in Crayford and then you were dropped off by Knapp in Enfield, with a call being made to Rita Croke to let her know you were almost there."

Croke denied this.

Hoogstraten, of High Cross Estate, Framfield, near Uckfield, denies murder and conspiracy to murder.

Croke, 60, of Bolney Road, Moulsecoomb, and Knapp, 53, of County Limerick, deny murder.

The trial continues.