The trial into Adam Valli opened today with the 23-year-old facing charges of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possession of a prohibited firearm.
Valli, of Derifall Close, London, denies all the charges.
The jury heard how Valli and his friend, Hassan Jabur, had been part of a large group who had been to a charity boxing event at the Troxy nightclub, east London, on May 14 of last year.
Valli, who had been friends with Mr Jabur for eight years, drove him to the nightclub in a hired Mercedes on May 13, and the two stayed at the nightclub until shortly after midnight the following morning before they had a disagreement about a lift home.
The court heard how Mr Jabur had been talking to two girls outside the nightclub, and when Valli saw him, the defendant said, “You can’t travel back with them”, and left his friend behind.
Mr Jabur then phoned his brothers and asked them to pick him up instead, and they drove to Beckton shortly after midnight when they encountered the group – and although Mr Jabur acknowledged them, he did not acknowledge Valli, and then left with his brothers.
According to the prosecution, Valli then went to a lock-up garage at about 1.35am to retrieve a Tokarev pistol at about 1.30am.
Numerous calls from Valli to Mr Jabur went unanswered, but when Mr Jabur eventually picked up, Valli is alleged to have told him he wanted “to finish the argument”.
The two were in separate cars on the A127 when Valli is said to have pulled out and stopped in front of Mr Jabur, who was in a car with his brothers.
With the cars at a standstill, Mr Jabur got out, leaving his phone behind, and went to sit in the Mercedes passenger seat next to Valli, who sped off as the argument continued.
Allister Walker, prosecuting, said: “[Mr Jabur] He remembered he suddenly felt something up against his left leg – it was the muzzle of a handgun, but he didn’t believe it was real.
“[Mr Jabur] said, ‘shoot me now then’.
“The defendant replied: ‘I’m going to shoot you in front of your mother’s house.’
Valli is then said to have pulled up in a car park in Frobisher Way, Shoebury, when the two got out of the Mercedes and the defendant shot Mr Jabur in the leg before driving off.
