Copyright birminghammail
A man accused of murder over an industrial estate shooting was arrested at Alton Towers a year earlier, a court has heard. Remell Bailey stands trial at Birmingham Crown Court alleged to have killed Gavin Parry, aged 31, who was shot dead inside a car repair unit on Western Road, Winson Green on April 13, 2021. While giving evidence yesterday (Tuesday, October 21), the jury was told about his only previous conviction, which was for possessing amphetamine on August 14, 2020. READ MORE: Gavin Parry murdered by Skorpion submachine gun in industrial unit 'ambush', court told Bailey said: "I got it from one of my dad's associates who come to the unit and advertised it to me as Maca powder. "He said it had got health benefits, give me energy, I don't want to say but get more energy around females. It was Peruvian." He continued: "I was at Alton Towers with my family. A few of us got asked to get searched and they told me to empty my bag. "I took everything out of my pouch and they seen it. "I explained it was Maca powder, explained to them what it was and got my phone out and went on Google." Bailey said he answered questions at a police station but was allowed to return to Alton Towers where a member of security apologised to him and said he and his family would not have to queue for any rides. He told the court he did not realise the substance was 'laced with amphetamine' and confirmed he ultimately pleaded guilty to possessing the drug, for which he was handed a conditional discharge at court. Bailey insisted he had 'nothing to do' with Mr Parry's death or removing guns from the scene. Although he accepted being present at the unit at the time, along with around a dozen other men, and having a brief verbal altercation with Mr Parry around 30 minutes before the shooting, the court heard. Bailey was initially arrested at gunpoint by armed officers at a car park at Carding Mill Valley, in Shropshire on April 19 that year. He claimed his girlfriend, who was driving, was ordered to get down on the ground even though she was pregnant, before a female officer intervened and said she could stand up. The court was told Bailey answered no comment to questions, on the advice of his solicitor, and was ultimately released under investigation. He stated at a later stage police informed him his 'life was in danger' and that at one point his family home was shot at, the court heard. In November 2022 a warrant was issued for his re-arrest but Bailey failed to surrender. The jury has been told that West Midlands Police issued wanted appeals which included featuring Bailey on BBC's Crimewatch UK. He stated he was 'scared' that if he got arrested he would be taken to jail and could be 'hurt' by anyone associated with Mr Parry, the court heard. Bailey was ultimately arrested at his family home in Victoria Road, Handsworth on January 10 this year when police found him hiding in a living room cupboard. He said he had been 'just chilling' and seeing his family when officers arrived at 11pm. Bailey added: "I just panicked and went to hide." He and co-defendant Dante Kalsi, also 28, from Erdington , have pleaded not guilty to murder, an alternative charge of manslaughter and perverting the course of justice. The trial continues.
