Pc Ian Broadhurst was shot and killed on Boxing Day

David Bieber, 38, tried to call one of them, a vitamins salesman, on Boxing Day last year, the day Pc Ian Broadhurst was killed.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Leeds gym owner Gurmit Rall say he had twice been asked about supplying a gun.

Mr Bieber, of Springwood Road, Leeds, denies murder and attempted murder.

He said he was selling vitamins. I recall he said he had broken up with his girlfriend Abbas Mugha, hotel owner

Earlier, the court heard that Mr Bieber withdrew �1,700 from two bank accounts in Bradford the day after Pc Ian Broadhurst was killed in Leeds.

The court was shown CCTV footage of the accused withdrawing the money. Michael Beckman QC confirmed his client was depicted in the images.

The jury heard that Mr Bieber initially withdrew �500 in cash in two transactions from an HSBC bank in Market Street, Bradford.

He then withdrew �1,200 from a Natwest bank in Hustlergate, Bradford.

The court was told he had opened both accounts in the name Nathan Wayne Coleman.

Earlier the jury heard from Bradford hotel owner Abbas Mugha, who said he had rented a room to the defendant on Boxing Day night.

Mr Mugha said he had a short conversation with Mr Bieber, who used the name Rick.

Stolen car

"He said he was selling vitamins. I recall he said he had broken up with his girlfriend," said Mr Mugha.

Pc Broadhurst, 34, was killed and his colleague Pc Neil Roper, 45, seriously injured in the shooting in Leeds on Boxing Day 2003.

A third officer, Pc James Banks, 27, escaped injury after a bullet struck his radio.

Mr Bieber had been stopped in a stolen black BMW car by Pcs Broadhurst and Roper.

The defendant also denies possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and 200 9mm bullet pistol cartridges.

He has admitted possessing almost 300 9mm bullet cartridges without a firearms certificate.