A MAN gunned down on his doorstep in a gangland-style execution was a heroin addict who was trying to kick a £300-a-week habit, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph can reveal.

The news comes as police confirmed the death of Paul Rothwell could be linked to the Blackburn drugs scene.

Last December Paul, 24, told Blackburn magistrates he had a £300 a week heroin habit but was trying to cure his addiction.

The murdered man stayed at the £1,400 a week Gisburne Park Hospital in a bid to come off heroin after being arrested for a series of driving offences.

The court how he was so desperate for a fix that he drove a friend's car even though he was banned from driving.

He pleaded guilty to a series of offences but was not sent to prison.

Magistrate Jonathon Finestein adjourned sentence until May 1 and told him: "If you behave yourself this time you will not go to prison."

Paul was shot in the chest and head with a shotgun when he went to answer a knock on the back door of his Bank Top home in the early hours of Saturday.

Police say Paul's family and the people they have questioned in the area around Whitehead Street have been left shocked and stunned by the killing.

Acting Detective Superintendent Paul Buschini is in charge of the 40-strong team of officers investigating the murder.

He said: "We are appealing to the people of Blackburn to help us find the person who carried out this cold-blooded and brutal killing of a man in his own home.

"Paul was not given a chance by whoever did this. He was shot at point blank range and was given no chance to retreat or defend himself." Paul, who was single and unemployed, was born and brought up in the Blackburn area.

Mr Buschini said: "We have spoken to Paul's family and they are very distressed about this brutal killing.

"There were four other people in the house at the time and we have also spoken to them.

"We know there was little or no conversation when Paul answered the knock on the back door and he was given no chance at all."

Police have been carrying out door-to-door inquiries and searches in the area around Whitehead Street.

The weapon used by the killer is still missing and no cartridges were found at the scene.

Detectives say they are still looking for a motive but are aware of Paul's involvement with drugs.

They are also appealing for anyone with information to contact them as soon as possible.

An incident room has been set up at Blackburn police station and people with information can ring 01254 51212.

Fear and silence in murder street

PAUL Rothwell's murder has sparked fears that problems with drugs and crime could spiral again in an area which has been plagued by trouble in the past.

Paul, 24, was well known in the Bank Top area and his father Frank lives across the road from the murder scene.

Frank Rothwell did not want to talk about the killing but his brother and Paul's uncle Michael spoke of the family's shock. Michael Rothwell said: "We are all devastated by what has happened. It has come as a shock to everyone.

"Paul was a normal lad and he never did anyone any harm. He just went about his own business.

"Everybody is just devastated. The whole thing is a complete mystery and we don't know why anybody would want to do something like this."

A close friend of the family, who does not want to be named, believes he was one of the last people to see Paul alive.

The man, who lives near Whitehead Street where Paul was gunned down, said: "I saw Paul around 12 o'clock on Friday night outside his home and I talked to him for a bit.

"He seemed the same as usual and nothing seemed to be bothering him. He was just a normal lad going about his business."

He added: "Paul did take drugs but so do a lot of other people round here.

"Paul was all right, he was a normal sort of lad who never did anyone any harm.

"A lot of people are shocked at what happened. Nobody is saying anything about what went on because they don't want to get involved. People tend to mind their own business around here.

"Even the police don't seem to know why someone would want to kill Paul but he was a decent enough lad."

Most neighbours and local shopkeepers are too frightened to talk openly about the shooting. Gangs of youngsters watched as police searched the area and called at homes close to the murder scene.

But most people preferred to stay indoors and refused to answer knocks on the door.

Don Rishton, a local councillor, said the whole area had been left in a state of shock.

He said: "The problems with crime and drugs in Bank Top have been well documented in the past.

"The police highlighted the links between drugs and crime several years ago but they seemed to be doing something about the problem.

"Things appeared to be getting better and then something like this comes along. Hopefully this is just an isolated incident and not the start of something more serious."

Blackburn with Darwen Council is planning a massive improvement scheme in the area.

Whitehead Street is at the heart of the project which will involve £10million worth of improvements including house repairs and slum clearance.

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