Connor Brookes 'was not involved in any gang or had anything to do with Bailey Atkinson's murder' court hears

A statement from one of the first people to find him, Connor's cousin's partner Gemma Edwards, revealed the shock felt by the local community as he was not involved in gangs.

She said: "I knew Connor all his life. I knew him from school. He was not part of any gang. He was just a lovely guy. He loved his dogs, and never went anywhere without them. I know his brother was involved in the case with Bailey Atkinson and had been jailed earlier that year but Connor was not involved with any of it."

Connor's family got to his van before police and paramedics arrived and found Connor slumped in his van's driving seat bleeding from a gunshot wound in his head.

She said: "My partner phoned me and told me to get to Well Lane because Connor had been shot. When I saw a van which Connor had been using recently. I saw people walking in the road like zombies, I could see Bradley, who had been in the passenger seat on the floor.

"Connor's cousin was on all fours and trying to scream but nothing was coming out. I looked in the van and saw Connor slumped in driving seat. His head was resting on the steering wheel and he looked asleep. He was surrounded by glass. There was blood everywhere."

She added: "I said 'Come on Con' then I saw the wound to his head and I knew he was gone."

Falconer, of Wyrley Close, Willenhall; Sanbrook, of Fisher Road, Bloxwich and Sellick, of no fixed abode, are charged with Connor's murder, the attempted murder of Bradley Sladyszyn  and  possessing a shotgun with intent to endanger life. Samuel Danks-Petty, 20, of Build Close, Walsall, is also in the dock accused of intent to pervert the course of justice.

The four deny all charges. The trial continues.