Colchester drive-by shooting 'followed drink row'
A man accused of taking part in a drive-by shooting at a bar had been involved in a row with staff earlier in the evening, a court has heard.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard three shots were fired outside the TP Sports Bar in Colchester last September.
A doorman said Dean Edwards, 39, of Braintree, had been asked to leave after refusing to pay for a drink.
Mr Edwards and Michael Cooper, 40, of Clacton, deny possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Mr Cooper also denies possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and Mr Edwards denies a criminal damage charge.
Puff of smoke
Former soldier Kristian Williams, who was on duty as a doorman at the bar in Queen Street, told the jury Mr Edwards returned from the toilet and claimed his drink had been taken away.
"I just explained that if he wanted another drink he would have to pay for it. He ordered another drink and he refused to pay for it," said Mr Williams.
Mr Edwards was then told to leave, the court heard.
The jury was shown CCTV of Mr Edwards leaving the bar, and footage from some time later which showed a golden coloured Rover car driving past.
Four minutes later, the same car is again seen passing the bar, this time with a puff of smoke visible. The jury was told the puff of smoke was from a gunshot.
The same car passed the bar five times in total.
The trial continues.