A MAN on trial accused of gunning down a Bradford taxi driver had come into the United Kingdom from Jamaica on an unknown date and was using a false identity, a jury heard today.

Ricardo Linton, 45, of no fixed address, pleads not guilty to murdering Mohammed Basharat and attempting to murder Jamshad Khan almost 20 years ago.

Prosecutor Richard Wright QC told Bradford Crown Court that Mr Basharat, 33, a driver with Little Horton Private Hire, was shot twice in the taxi office off Park Lane in Brad-ford.

He was struck in the head and mouth at 8.20pm on October 20, 2001, and died where he lay.

It is alleged that he was executed in cold blood after a minor road rage incident and that Mr Khan, known as Jimmy, was targeted by the gunman because he had witnessed it.

Mr Wright told the jury that Linton was calling himself Wayne Alfonso McDonald when he was granted leave to stay in the country.

He was living in a rented flat in Greaves Street, Bradford, and did much of his socialising at The Young Lions Café in the city.

Linton said he was a student but he was supporting himself by dealing in controlled drugs, including crack cocaine, Mr Wright alleged.

The jury was told that Linton “vanished from Bradford” on the day Mr Basharat was murdered.

He was never seen again in the city by his associates. He had left leaving behind his possessions, including clothing, at his flat.

“He was a man leaving in a hurry,” Mr Wright said.

The trial continues on Thursday.