A mother was shot as she stopped gunmen from dragging her son out of his car during an ambush at a bingo hall, a court heard.
A bullet from a .38 revolver hit Marie Calder’s watch-strap as she held onto her son Scott during the attack in the car park of Gala Bingo, Harpurhey , a Manchester Crown Court jury was told.
Details of the shooting - which happened at 7.15pm on the evening of January 12 2014 - emerged as the prosecution opened its case against defendants accused of pursuing a vendetta against the Calder family.
It’s alleged that a man named Mark Barker, 45, of Miles Platting, believed that Scott Calder had stolen money or drugs from him, and threatened his brother, John Calder Jr, that there would be consequences if the debt wasn’t repaid.
Three days later, Scott Calder, then 22, went to collect his mother, then 56, from Gala Bingo in his white Audi.
It’s alleged that two cars had been following him.
One was a dark Audi, allegedly containing Mark Barker and James Instone, 33, of Blackley , who had also allegedly been trying to recover money from Scott Calder. The other vehicle - a silver Volvo - allegedly contained James Henry, 29, of Blackley, who blocked off the exit road with it.
Prosecutor Gary Woodhall said: “Inside that car park, at least two or three males exited the dark Audi that followed Scott Calder onto the car park, opened the driver’s door and attacked Scott Calder.
“At least two tried to pull Scott Calder from the car, and Marie Calder held onto her son to prevent them from doing so. During the struggle Marie Calder was shot in the wrist. Scott Calder managed to reverse and drive off at speed.”
Mr Woodhall said Mr Barker, Mr Instone and Mr Henry were involved in a ‘determined, organised and planned attack’.
The prosecutor also claimed that in the build-up to the shooting, the three men were involved in ‘concerted effort to track Scott Calder down’.
James Henry is alleged to have traced Scott Calder to the home of his sister Rachel, and then tipped off Mark Barker, who had gone to Marie Calder’s home to look for him. The two cars the trio were in then allegedly stalked their target to the car park.
Mr Woodhall said Marie Calder identified James Instone as one of the men involved. This, along with CCTV showing the cars’ movement, and mobile phone evidence, establishes a ‘complete evidential picture’, implicating Mr Henry, Mr Instone, and Mr Barker, he told the jury.
The three men deny two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Proceeding
