A JEALOUS father ordered the owner of a Woodford Green ice cream parlour shot dead for humiliating him on Facebook, a court heard today.

Romain Arthur, 23, allegedly targeted 24-year-old businessman James Bryant for daring to carry Arthur's two year-old son in public.

He recruited gunman Temidire Owolabi, 22, to blow out the window of Bryant's 'Cakes and Shakes' cafe in High Road, it is claimed.

But Bryant responded to the intimidation by posting on his Facebook page: “You're popping but noone's dropping so you ain't shooting right.”

Prosecutor Richard Horwell QC told the court: “If Romain Arthur's intention had been to gain respect, James Bryant had shown him none at all.”
 
Two days later at 1.50pm on November 14 last year, Owolabi returned and shot Mr Bryant.
 
Mr Bryant survived but spent the next two-and-a-half months in hospital.
 
The court heard the dispute began after Mr Bryant was seen with Arthur’s ex-partner Sade Lasisi carrying his two year-old son at Westfield on November 12 last year.
 
Arthur rang up his ex-partner and asked her 'why of all people' she had allowed Mr Bryant to hold the child, the court heard.
  
The prosecution claims mobile phone records show Arthur and Owolabi were both involved in the plot against Mr Bryant.

Owolabi has already been convicted of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in relation to the shooting on November 14.

He was cleared of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in relation to the shooting on November 12.

Arthur, of Hazel Way, Chingford, and Owolabi, of Brandon Close, Chafford Hundred, both deny conspiracy to murder.

The trial continues.