Rubbish row led to garden death

A DISPUTE between two allotment holders about garden refuse ended in death, a court was told yesterday. Hungarian-born Sandor Bata, 73, is accused of shooting 63-year-old Michael Willson at close range. He denies murder.

Mr Bata, of Netherhall, Leicester, and Mr Willson, of Humberside, had a lengthy dispute about garden waste dumping and access to Mr Willson's next-door allotment, Birmingham Crown Court was told. Mr Bata, who appeared in a wheelchair, told police Mr Willson jumped over a fence "like King Kong" and attacked him with a piece of wood. Mr Bata said he used the gun in self- defence.

A neighbour said he heard them arguing. "The foreign gentleman said, `If you come over here I will kill you'. He said that twice."

Mr Bata surrendered to police the same day with the pistol loaded with three rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. The trial continues.