A MAN accused of murdering a kidnap victim told a jury that he was not to blame.

Paul Devalda, from Burnley, is alleged to have killed father-of-four Paul Brady after plotting to kidnap him. But he repudiated the claims.

Asked by his QC, Michael Wolkind if he was guilty of the offences 35-year-old Devalda replied that he was not.

Rochdale man, Mr Brady, was ambushed by a masked armed gang of up to 15 men as he drove along a road in Weir, Bacup, on Saturday afternoon August 1, 2009.

Liverpool Crown Court has heard that 43-year-old Mr Brady was leading a double life as a property manager and drug dealer.

Devalda, of Padiham Road, denies murdering Mr Brady, and an alternative charge of manslaughter and conspiring to kidnap him.

Heath Bowling, 38, of High Lane, Stockport, denies attempting to pervert the course of justice and Devalda's girlfriend, Stacia Crossley, 28, also of Padiham Road, denies three charges of assisting an offender.

Devalda told the court he was serving four years imprisonment for drugs offences.

Asked about the purchase of a black balaclava and gloves in Haslingden the day before the kidnapping, he said he owned two motorcycles and had become paranoid about the police watching and a car would be harder for officers to pursue and catch.

On the day he bought the items he said he had arranged to meet an associate.

When he arrived and realised the location was by the outdoor shop, went in to buy the items.

The case continues.

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