A CANNABIS dealer who allegedly killed a trainee carpenter from Harrow over a drugs debt appeared in court on Monday.

It is claimed that Ashley George, 23, gunned down trainee 22-year-old David Kerr of Sherwood Road, Harrow, after he turned up on his doorstep in Harlesden, it is claimed.

He then went on the run before being caught by police a week later but protested he was not in the area at the time of the shooting.

Southwark Crown Court heard Mr Kerr was trapped in the stairwell outside the dealers before being shot at four times.

He managed to stagger onto the street clutching his chest before dying in a pool of blood on the pavement.

Mr Kerr had been heard hammering on George's door at Alfred Nunn House, in Chadwick Road, in October 2006, following a disagreement about money.

Jeremy Donne QC, prosecuting, said: "The victim, David Kerr, was most probably involved in drugs and there is evidence that he obtained drugs from a supplier at the block of flats.

"There is also evidence that he owed money to a supplier and was worried about the consequences of that."

On the night of the murder Mr Kerr was so drunk that he walked into an old woman's house and sat down on her sofa, the court heard.

He then left and went to Alfred Nunn House, where he tried to get into another man's house before making his way to George's flat on the second floor.

Witnesses then heard gun shots and saw a young black man running from the scene.

Police searched the premises and found drugs, a large sum of money and a handgun hidden in a sock.

George has admitted possession of a firearm and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

But he denies murder and the trial continues.