The mother of Wolverhampton teenager Raheem Hines-Thomas has told how close family friend Nathan Hamilton wept while telling how the 17-year-old was accidentally shot.

Paulette Hines, who had six children, revealed to Wolverhampton Crown Court: “He was crying down the phone and saying sorry for what had happened.

He said it was an accident.” Miss Hines said she had known Hamilton, now 29, since he was six years old and disclosed that, in the past, he had acted as a baby sitter for the victim.

Hamilton had been close friends with her eldest son Byron, the jury was told.

Miss Hines continued: “I saw a lot of Nathan and he refers to me as Auntie Paulette. He used to babysit the twins for me and has been an important part of our family group. He is a good lad. He was devastated by what happened to Raheem.”

The victim was shot as members of the Park Village Crew sat in his bedroom planning revenge after Hamilton’s brother had been beaten up by people from the rival Firetown gang, prosecutor Mr Graham Reeds QC told the jury.

The gun went off after being taken from a bag, it was alleged. The blast blew a two inch wound in the victim’s chest, said Home Office pathologist Dr Alexander Kolar.

The court heard that Ramon, the twin brother of Mr Hines-Thomas, was next to him and dragged him out of the house. The victim was certified dead shortly after arrival at hospital on March 19 last year. Hamilton later admitted holding the gun but claimed the weapon fired accidentally.

Hamilton, from Elmhurst Court, Wednesbury, denies manslaughter and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The trial continues.