MAN ADMITTED MURDER IN TAPED PHONE CALL FROM JAIL

A gunman who shot dead an Indian student in Salford told his brother he murdered the victim in a taped phone call from prison, a jury has heard.

Kiaran Stapleton (left), 21, smirked or laughed after shooting “random stranger” Anuj Bidve (middle), 23, in the head at close range after asking him the time on Boxing Day last year, Manchester Crown Court has heard.

Stapleton has admitted he pulled the trigger and has pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, but denies murder. A murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence.

The court was played a tape recording of a call home from Stapleton, in jail, to his family in Ordsall, Salford.

The 11-minute call was made at 7.26pm last Thursday, four days after his trial began. Stapleton, on trial for murder, appears preoccupied by the clothing he is wearing in jail and for his court case.

While speaking to his brother Kyle, the defendant said: “I have just told my mam I want the cardigan from the Trafford Centre that I murdered Anuj Bidve with. I want that jacket. It’s only 50 quid, in double extra large or extra large.”

Stapleton goes on: “Kyle, you will need to sort my clothes out. Adidas, proper nice.”

The jury has seen a grey Adidas top worn by Stapleton on the night of the shooting, which is now an exhibit in the case.

Mr Bidve, in the UK to study at Lancaster University, was with eight Indian friends walking through the Ordsall area of Salford on their way to the Boxing Day sales when he was fatally injured. Stapleton fled the scene but was arrested within days.

The trial was adjourned to this (Wednesday) morning.