Burntwood murder case witness paid £13k by police

Mr Adrian Keeling, defending David Harrison, who is accused of shooting Richard Deakin in bed at his Burntwood home in July 2010, revealed the figures during cross-examination of witness Alan Cash.

Keeling claimed Mr Cash's motivation in giving evidence in the trial at Birmingham Crown Court was financial reward.

Asking the jury to turn to a page detailing payments, Keeling said to Mr Cash: "From January 1, 2012, to October 29, 2012, by one route or another, you have received £13,876 from police."

He added that was on top of a series of payments to Mr Cash from the West Midlands Police force between June 5, 2009 and April 28, 2010, but did not disclose the total additional amount in court. Mr Cash confirmed he had been paid by officers.

Mr Keeling suggested Harrison began to keep Mr Cash 'at arms' length' after he became aware he was passing information to officers, and that distance from his criminal associates meant Mr Cash had difficulty making his living selling stolen cars.

By giving evidence, Mr Keeling claimed Mr Cash was also hoping to receive a £20,000 reward offered during a BBC Crimewatch programme for information which would help secure a conviction for the killers of father-of-two Mr Deakin, who was shot at his Meadway Street home in Burntwood.

Appearing as a witness via video link, Mr Cash claimed he had approached officers within days of the programme about Mr Deakin's killing being aired in December 2010. He said he recognised Harrison in the footage from his balaclava, which he claimed had its mouth hole sewn up to cover Harrison's obvious lack of teeth.

Harrison, aged 63, of Rainbow Street, Bilston, is accused of shooting Mr Deakin in his bed on July 5, 2010. Darryl Dickens, 34, of Powell Place, also in Bilston, is accused of driving the getaway car.

Both deny murder. The trial continues.