Ashley Dale killer says learning of her death felt like 'nightmare'

Ashley Dale's killer has told a jury of the 'nightmare' moment he allegedly learned that he had shot her dead.

James Witham is one of five men currently standing trial at Liverpool Crown Court over the fatal shooting of the 28-year-old. He has admitted barging down the door of her house and spraying the property with bullets from a Skorpion submachine gun. The 41-year-old claims he did not see or hear Ashley inside and was instead attempting to 'send a message' to her boyfriend Lee Harrison, who was not present at the time.

Giving evidence on Wednesday (November 8), Withman told the court he 'couldn't believe it' when he heard Ashley had been shot, saying 'I thought I was having a nightmare', reports the Liverpool Echo.

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Under questioning from his counsel Richard Pratt KC, he told the court that he had been woken by his dad at around 10am the morning after and was told "Sean's girl's sister's just been shot dead in her house".

Mr Pratt asked: "Did you know who he meant?"

Witham replied: "When he said it then yeah, I did."

Mr Pratt continued: "You knew it was Ashley Dale?"

Witham said: "Yeah, sorry."

Mr Pratt: "When he told you that, what did you think?"

Witham: "I just went and got a cold shower and sat on the floor for about 40 minutes in the shower. My head was still battered.

"It still is now to this day. I still don’t believe it’s happened."

Mr Pratt asked: "What conclusion did you draw?"

Witham responded: "I just thought it’s me that’s done it, obviously. I couldn’t believe meself.

"I've never felt like that in my life, thought I