A mature student accused of shooting his ex-girlfr
A mature student accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend approached locals in his home town to get an alibi, a court heard today.
(Thurs)
Victor Guppy, 55, allegedly contacted shopkeepers and pub landlords to see if anyone remembered seeing him at the time of the shooting.
He is accused of trying to kill Louise Schuller, 42, outside her home with a 12-bore shotgun in Leyton, east London.
Guppy then drove home to Fairford, Gloucestershire, Blackfriars Crown Court has heard.
Miss Schuller was the UK’s 13th top time trialist cyclist before the attack, but her career in the sport has been ruined.
She has told jurors that Guppy had stalked her after their 18-month relationship came to an end in 1999.
He is alleged to have bombarded her with ‘harrowing’ e-mails, superglued her locks and hurled her bicycle into a tree.
The stalking campaign culminated in Guppy ambushing her outside her former home in Leyton, east London on January 21 this year at 6.
20pm, it is claimed.
A neighbour who heard a loud bang jotted down the numberplate of Guppy’s Saab as he sped from the scene.
Guppy denies carrying out the shooting and claimed he had been at his home in Fairford at the time of the gun attack.
Mohammed Khamisa, prosecuting, read statements from people in Guppy’s home town who he had contacted for an alibi.
Stephen Davies, manager of Alldays convenience store, said a man came in the shop who ‘wanted to know if anyone had seen him go in the store between 5.
30pm and 6.
30pm.
‘
But Mr Davies said: ‘I didn’t see Guppy on the video’.
The court heard Christine McDermott, publican of the Bull Hotel, Fairford, was visited by the defendant on the same day.
She said: ‘I knew Vic, he’s six foot tall, cropped hair with glasses.
‘Vic’s drinking habits are quite regular.
He’ll normally come in after 9.
30pm.
‘He’ll sit at the bar, or if it’s busy stand by the entrance of the residents’ lounge.
‘He’s always quiet.
He’ll never come in with anybody.
‘
Lee Turner, who works at the Railway Inn, said he ‘considered Vic as a friend.
‘
Mr Turner said he had known Guppy for three and a half years.
The witness added: ‘From my experience of Vic’s drinking habits, he’d come in at six past eight’
Nicola Campbell, landlady at the Plough pub said: ‘He used to come in the pub late evenings, at around 9.
30pm onwards.
‘I can’t remember if he was in the pub on January 21.
Our opening time was 7pm.
‘
Guppy of John Tame Close, Fairford, Gloucestershire denies attempted murder, wounding with intent, and two firearms offences.
The trial continues.
ends
