Van Colle defendant pleads not guilty

The trial of the former employee accused of killing optometrist Giles Van Colle has continued at the Old Bailey, London.
Former assistant Daniel Brougham Ð who has pleaded not guilty Ð is accused of shooting Mr Van Colle three times on November 22, 2000. He is facing two charges, one of conspiracy to commit murder and another of theft and evading liability by deception. Mr Brougham will face the second charge at the conclusion of the current trial.
In her evidence, Mr Van ColleÕs mother, Corinne, said that her son had fallen out with the defendant after he agreed to give evidence against him in a theft and fraud trial, the Edgware and Mill Hill Times reported (February 13).
That allegedly triggered a series of events which saw Mr Van ColleÕs car set on fire, along with several threatening phone calls and intimations of his assassination, just five days before Mr BroughamÕs trial was due to begin. She added that the family suspected Mr Brougham, who was then known as ÔLee JordanÕ, of selling stolen stock from GVC Opticians.
ÔIn February I saw an advertisement in an opticianÕs magazine which was advertising a complete glazing laboratory with excellent equipment for sale,Õ she said. ÔI rang the number and recognised the name, Lee Jordan, and I recognised the voice.Õ The case continues.