Drug dealer is cleared of murder

A CONVICTED drug dealer has been cleared of murdering a popular father-of-one, who was gunned down as he left a birthday party. Jurors at the Old Bailey found Paul Minto not guilty of the murder and manslaughter of 26-year-old Shawn Callum, who died afte

A CONVICTED drug dealer has been cleared of murdering a popular father-of-one, who was gunned down as he left a birthday party.

Jurors at the Old Bailey found Paul Minto not guilty of the murder and manslaughter of 26-year-old Shawn Callum, who died after he was shot in the back in February 7 last year.

Mr Callum, from Paddington, who was affectionately known as Pinky, was gunned down as he left the party, which was being held at Stonebridge Primary School in Shakespeare Avenue, Stonebridge, at around 2am.

Witnesses claimed Minto, street name 'Grandad,' who had been released from prison nine days before Mr Callum's death after serving a term for plotting to sell class A drugs, fired the single shot, which hit Mr Callum in the back and killed him almost instantly.

Minto admitted he was at the party but denied he had killed Mr Callum claiming he was outside making a phone call and had been framed by the dead man's friends.

All the witnesses gave evidence anonymously using pseudonyms, screens and voice modulation to protect their identities in court.

John McGuinness, QC, prosecuting, said that Mr Callum was gunned down after he was caught up in a row involving his cousin, known as 'Reds,' and a friend of Minto.

Ben Aina, QC, defending, said the victim's friends had plotted to fit up 'Grandad' for the murder.

Minto told the court he had heard his name being speculated as Mr Callum's killer but claimed other names were mentioned as well.

He added: "I didn't do nothing so I had nothing to worry about."

On Tuesday morning, Minto sighed 'Yes' in relief as the jury delivered their verdict.

Last week, Linus Louisy, 22, of Long Letts House, Shrewsbury Crescent, was also cleared of Mr Callum's murder.