THE home-made hand gun used to shoot a construction worker was found discarded in school grounds along with three live cartridges, a court has heard.

The discovery by police at St Anne's RC Primary School, Fielden Street, Blackburn, was made six hours after approximately 90 pellets had hit John Hoban in the chest, arms and face in nearby Northgate.

Manchester Crown Court also heard that one particle of residue which occurs when a firearm is shot was found on a rag in the Renault Laguna of Mark Elliott, who denies attempted murder.

The judge, Mr Justice Astill, was summing up today after the prosecution and defence barristers closed their cases yesterday afternoon.

Mr Hoban, of Fosse Close, Blackburn, claims Elliott, 42, of Stonehill Drive, Blackburn, brandished a gun and led him to an alleyway before turning around and shooting him from 25 feet away at 11.30pm on July 16 last year.

However, he was at a loss to explain why a man who was only an acquittance would have wanted to shoot him.

Mr Hoban's friend John Bunton, who had been out drinking with him in several town centre pubs, told of the moments after the shooting.

He said: "I saw John slump on the floor. He was covered in blood, it was everywhere. It was coming out of his mouth and nose.

"He stopped breathing. I kept saying 'it is me, I'm here'. I wanted him to stay focused. I held his hand."

Mr Hoban spent two weeks in hospital for injuries which included a collapsed lung.

Elliott was arrested at 9.30am the following morning, but to every question throughout three police interviews he replied 'no comment'.

He also declined to give evidence in his defence in court yesterday.

The forensic scientist who tested for the residue said the particle on the rag, because it was such a nominal amount, could simply have come from contact with firearms as well as from when the gun was fired.

Phillip Alexander, forensic scientist specialising in firearms, said the gun, a home-made 0.410 inch single-barrel pistol, appeared to have been used in the incident.

He added: "Each pellet would possess lethal potential."

The weapon was found by police combing the vicinity of Northgate following the shooting.

(Proceeding)