A revolver allegedly used to murder a 28-year-old father in a street shooting was found next to a reservoir during a fire service training exercise, a court has heard.

The trial of Keanu Bedward, who denies the murder of Remal Hunt, was told the loaded weapon was found inside a bag filled with stones, as well as two cigarette ends which had been planted to mislead investigators.

Opening the case against Bedward at Birmingham Crown Court, prosecutor Michael Burrows QC said Mr Hunt died at the scene after being shot in the chest with a single bullet at noon on April 18.

Mr Burrows told jurors Mr Hunt was a passenger in a black Volkswagen Golf being driven by a friend who helped at the scene in Church Road, Erdington, after the shooting, but had not then given a statement to police.

Alleging that Bedward was travelling in another black VW Golf, the prosecutor told the court: “CCTV evidence you will see indicates he was the driver of that car.

“He moved towards Remal Hunt and shouted ‘come on, let’s do it, let’s have it’.”

One of the several witnesses to the shooting, the court heard, said Bedward was seen holding a small black gun in his right hand before he drove away at speed.

The Crown claims DNA evidence found on items in Bedward’s car, as well as gunshot residue, links him to the killing.

The 25-year-old, of Norfolk Road, Erdington, left the UK on a flight from Manchester to Dubai on the day of the shooting, returning to Manchester via Casablanca on April 29, when he was arrested.

Remal Hunt death
Remal Hunt, who was fatally shot in Church Road in Erdington, Birmingham (West Midlands Police/PA)

Explaining how the handgun linked to the inquiry was found, Mr Burrows added: “A few days before he (Bedward) returned to this country – on April 26 – West Midlands Fire Service carried out a training exercise at a reservoir in Bartley Green.

“One of the officers was asked to search the perimeter of the reservoir and found a small black Nike bag.

“The officer thought the bag was connected to the exercise and picked it up. He opened it and saw it was filled with stones. He began to empty the stones and with the stones, out came a pair of gloves, two cigarette ends and a revolver.

“The officer then tipped the bag on the ground and reported his find to the command team by radio.”

Police then attended, the trial jury heard, and subsequent forensic examination of the gun’s handle allegedly found a DNA link to Bedward, while its four unused rounds matched the bullet which killed Mr Hunt.

DNA evidence recovered from the cigarette butts did not match Bedward, Mr Burrows said.

The trial continues.