Stuart Hannan appeared in the witness box at Teesside Crown Court to give evidence against the man who allegedly attempted to murder him on August 5 last year - Mark Bennett.But under cross-examination yesterday by Bennett’s defence barrister, Tom Mitchell, the court heard allegations Mr Hannan was trying to make himself the “boss” of Grangetown.Mr Mitchell told the court how Mr Hannan’s cousin Lee Hannan was killed on Tennyson Avenue in Grangetown on December 29, 2006, by Shaun “Wellard” Martin.The barrister explained to the jury how the death had occurred following an arranged street fight between Stuart Hannan and Martin.He asked Mr Hannan if he blamed himself for his cousin’s death and if he was keen on revenge when Martin was found guilty of manslaughter but not murder.“The fact is since that day you have pursued a mission to get back at anyone who had anything to do with the Martin camp, is that right?” said Mr Mitchell, “No,” replied Mr Hannan.
“You have spent the last, nearly two years, trying to destroy everyone for who, in part, is responsible for Lee Hannan’s death, is that right?” “No,” came the response.
Mr Mitchell went on: “Is it true that you yourself had a hit list of people to sort out after the trial ended?” asked Mr Mitchell, to which Mr Hannan replied: “No.”
The barrister said the list included “anyone who had ever said the words Shaun and Martin in the same breath,” which 27-year-old Mr Hannan again denied.“That, of course, put Mark Bennett on your shopping list as well, didn’t it?” said Mr Mitchell, “no” came the response.The barrister went on: “There are any number of people out there you hate, true?”The witness said: “Just associated with the Bennett gang, yes.”“And any number of people out there who you have had a really good go at, true?”“No,” was the reply.Stuart Hannan told the court he had been arrested “about 20 times” in the last two years and had his house searched “about ten times”.
Among the items found in his property on St Patrick’s Road in Grangetown were Samurai swords found under his bed, which he insisted were “ornamental”, and on another occasion an axe and walkie-talkies.Mr Mitchell also accused Mr Hannan of being a “car ringer”, of planning post office robberies, shooting at people with a sniper rifle out of the door of his parents’ pub - The Magnet - stealing, burning out cars, violence and other criminal activities.“Do you consider yourself to be a tough man?” Mr Hannan was asked. “No,” he replied. “Do you in fact consider yourself to be the hardest man in Grangetown?” “Not one bit.”Despite the extensive cross examination of Mr Hannan, the matter the jury have to decide on is whether Mark James Bennett, 31, of Bolckow Road, is guilty of trying to kill Mr Hannan in a drive-by shooting.Bennett is alleged to be the gunman who fired two shots from a car outside Mr Hannan’s home in St Patrick’s Road, Grangetown.Bennett denies charges of attempted murder, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

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