In a case that has sent shockwaves through Nottinghamshire, chilling new details have emerged from the trial of two men accused of the attempted murder of father-of-three, Tom Phillips.
The central piece of evidence is a traumatising 999 call, made by Mr. Phillips' young daughter, which was played to a hushed courtroom at Nottingham Crown Court. The recording captures the moment the child witnessed her father being gunned down in a brutal and targeted attack.
'They're shooting Daddy,' the girl can be heard screaming to the emergency operator in a heart-wrenching plea for help. The call provides a devastating, real-time account of the violent incident that unfolded last year.
A Failed Escape Attempt
The court heard how 43-year-old Mr. Phillips was ambushed by two assailants near his home. Prosecutors allege that Terence Loftus and Michael O'Brien lay in wait before launching a vicious attack, shooting Mr. Phillips in the leg in a failed attempt to prevent him from testifying in an unrelated court case.
The victim's daughter, who was present during the attack, bravely detailed the events to the police. "She described hearing a loud bang and seeing her father fall to the ground," the prosecutor stated. "Her account is both crucial and deeply distressing."
A Community in Shock
The revelation of the child's involvement has horrified the local community. The case highlights not only the brutality of the attack but also the profound collateral damage inflicted upon innocent family members, particularly children caught in the crossfire of criminal vendettas.
Terence Loftus, 34, and Michael O'Brien, 40, deny charges of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. The trial continues as the jury listens to the compelling and sombre evidence.
