‘psycho’s gunshot like a firecracker’

Kiaran Stapleton, 21, walked up to the group of friends in the street as they prepared to queue for the Boxing Day sales last year. He asked them three times for the time and, when someone

finally answered, he pulled out a gun and fired one shot at visiting foreign student Mr Bidve’s head. Stapleton – who told magistrates earlier this year his name was “Psycho” Stapleton –

admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but denies murder. Friends in the nine-strong group, who were staying in a Salford hotel while visiting for Christmas, told a

jury at Manchester Crown Court of the moment the shot was fired. Nitish Jalali, 22, said he felt “anxious” when a man in a white hoodie approached them. Mr Jalali said: “He came over and he

asked what the time was and we did not respond the first time.” When Stapleton asked for the time again and was told it was 1.30am, he saw a “silver patch” – believed to be a gun – in his

hand. Mr Jalali added: “There was a bang sound, like a firecracker. Then Anuj fell flat, face-first.” By the time he turned round, the shaven-headed man had gone – but he was heard laughing.

Mr Jalali added: “It was a sarcastic laugh.” Brian Cummings QC, prosecuting, told the jury how Mr Bidve was studying for a micro-electronics postgraduate qualification at Lancaster

University after arriving in Britain last September. The Indian friends first got in touch with each other on Facebook and regularly had dinner together before a group of nine travelled to

Salford for Christmas. Mr Bidve’s parents, Subhash and Yogini, have flown from their home in Pune, India, to attend the four-week hearing. The trial continues.