A witness who gave evidence behind a screen at the trial of a man killed with a “pump-action” shotgun said he saw four boys running away from the scene, a court heard.

Ezra Mills, 22, from Upper Norwood, was shot in the face with a pump-action shotgun on March 21, at a house in the Central Hill estate, Gipsy Hill.

The court had previously heard how Mr Mills, who grew up in Croydon, studied at Carshalton college and worked as a builder, had possibly gone to one of the defendants’ flat to "smooth over a fight" between the defendant and one of his friends.

The witness, a man who cannot be identified for his own safety, told the jury at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, November 17, how he was watching a DVD when he heard a “loud bang” outside.

He said: “I immediately thought it was just fireworks, but after a while I heard other noises. I heard a bit of struggling and what seemed like a slightly muffled scream.”

He went to the window of his flat and said at the point he saw four boys running away from Oakwood Drive toward the higher part of the estate.

He said: “They seemed to be in single file - I had the impression they were following others.”

The witness said they were shouting as they ran and appeared to be between 18 and 22-years-old. He also said the men were all black.

He added: “They were running full power, to get away from there.”

Marcell Mason, 20, of Alexandra Drive, Gipsy Hill, Travelle Williams, 18, of Charters Close, Gispy Hill, Dwayne Lock, 20, of Wychwood Way, Gipsy Hill, David Smith, 22, of Fingate Road, Streatham, Robert Saint, 20, from Camberwell and a 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named, all deny murder.

The trial continues.