A YOUNG man who was shot five times in a "gangland killing" had a £30,000 contract on his head, a court has heard.

Ryan Woolley was blasted from close range as he collected a takeaway on Picton Road, Wavertree.

Jason Thomas, Peter Agatha and Tyrone Griffiths all deny plotting to carry out the murder.

But Liverpool Crown Court yesterday heard from a "thief and drug dealer" turned key prosecution witness, who said Thomas had urged him to "smoke" Woolley.

The man, only named as Witness X, admitted he was a former drug dealer who regularly sold cocaine for Thomas.

He told jurors that on at least three occasions Thomas, often with pal Agatha, had urged him to shoot Woolley and had spoken of a £30,000 contract. X described how Thomas had first asked him to carry out the shooting after seeing him become "wound up" about being cheated on.

Giving evidence from behind a screen, X said: "He had a few things to say, something to the effect that I was wound up and that I'm a game lad and he wanted me to smoke someone. He meant to shoot someone."I was still wound up, so I said who, and he said 'Ryan', he meant Ryan Woolley."

He added: "We were walking towards the pub and he referred to the fact I owed him money and the fact he owed money out as well. He said I was a game lad and about 'quashing debt'.

"He said there was £30,000 on Ryan Woolley's head. I can't remember exactly what I said, but I was shocked at what he had asked me to do and I was shocked at what he was saying."

Witness X went on to say Thomas and Agatha had urged him to "get it sorted" on at least two more occasions.When asked if he had ever given any sign he would be prepared to get involved, the witness responded: "Never, ever. I wouldn't even have the guts to do anything like that for a start, no way, never.

"I don't even know why I was asked.’’

During nearly two hours of evidence, Witness X told the court he had known Thomas for about four years and had dealt cocaine regularly for him over a year.