Ms Peart died of a single gunshot wound

Pauline Peart, 25, from Waltham Abbey, Essex, was talking to Yemmi Johnson in Tottenham when a youth tried to open the car door, the court was told.

Prosecutor Orlando Pownall QC said Mr Johnson saw a gun through the open window, then ducked and heard a shot.

Maurice Miller, 21, and Nebra Bennett, 24, both of north London, deny murder in March 2003.

Mr Pownall told the court on Tuesday that Mr Miller, of Enfield, had earlier stood trial for the murder but the jury was unable to agree a verdict.

Flip-top bin

Nebra Bennett, 24, from Tottenham, was not tried with Mr Miller as proceedings against him were originally discontinued in August last year.

"Why the decision has since been taken to prosecute him is no concern of yours," Mr Pownall told jurors.

Ms Peart, who lived in Waltham Abbey, Essex, was a customer account manager with Beneficial Finance, in north London.

The prosecution claim Mr Miller shot her "using the gun which police eventually recovered from a flip-top bin at his address."

"There does not appear to be any apparent motive for shooting her," said Mr Pownall.

It was alleged Mr Miller claimed in interview with police that Bennett had fired the fatal shot and that Mr Johnson had shown disrespect in the past.

Mr Bennett had denied being in the road with Miller that night.

The trial was adjourned until Wednesday.