I was driver for gunmen

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Oct 11, 2006

A man has admitted being the getaway driver for assassins who shot dead a dad of seven in a gangland hit.

David "Noddy" Rice was gunned down as he got out of his car at the Marsden Grotto beauty spot in South Shields.

The 42-year-old, from the town's St Vincent Street, was shot several times at close range before the killers fled.

As revealed in later editions of last night's Chronicle, Derek Blackburn pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday to assisting the gunmen by driving them from the scene.

The 51-year-old also confessed burning out the vehicle used, as well as a further charge of conspiracy to supply drugs.

Judge Esmond Faulks adjourned sentence for reports and remanded Blackburn, formerly of Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, in custody.

No further details of Blackburn's involvement in the aftermath of the killing in May were given during the brief hearing.

They will be revealed when he returns for sentence next month.

Mr Rice was well-known in the town with five sons and two daughters.

It was said he supported his family by buying and selling second-hand cars.

Members of Mr Rice's family were in the public gallery to see Blackburn enter his pleas.

Mr Rice was killed shortly after 4pm on May 24.

He was shot in his car and again as he crawled out of his vehicle. A burnt out car was later found in nearby Lizard Lane.