During the trial: Teen in Wolverhampton city centre gun violence trial admits lying to police

The teenager told a jury: "I told them I was at my dad's and not in the town at the time. That was not the truth."

"I was scared about anything coming back on me. this was because I was not meant to be in the town centre. It was not because I had a firearm that night."

He told Wolverhampton Crown Court he was at the scene when trouble flared in Piper's Row and Lichfield Street close to the Britannia Hotel around 8pm on April 19 but insisted: "I was not involved. I did not use a firearm or any violence."

A girl witness who knew him has alleged she saw him with a black gun in his hand. She further alleged that a 17-year-old boy she recognised was carrying a knife. He also maintained she was mistaken.

The 16-year-old explained: "I was heading for home and as I passed the bus station in Piper's Row I saw a large group of people who were shouting and swearing. It was just kicking off.

"Half of them had hoods up so I could not tell exactly who they were. Then the bang went off and everybody started running."

The 17-year-old said while giving evidence: "I was there but did not do anything. I had walked into town with eight friends. We were not a gang. When I came out of a shop I heard people shouting and arguing by the Hotel. There were about 15 of them. I saw two of my friends being attacked and had started to go over towards them when I heard the bang and we all ran off. I did not have a knife."

Mr Philip Beardwell, prosecuting, told him: "You are not telling us the full truth because it involves you being part of a group with weapons." A blank bullet casing was recovered from the scene, the court heard.

The 16-year-old denies possession of an imitation firearm with intent and the 17-year-old pleads not guilty to having a knife. Neither of the alleged weapons has been found, the jury heard.

The trial continues.