Adams couple in court accused of shooting driver in London street

Extradited: Constance Adams and her husband Patrick
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A married couple today appeared in court charged with attempted murder over the shooting of a man in London in December 2013.

Patrick Adams, 59, faced Westminster magistrates’ court on two charges of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Adams, who is known as Patsy, appeared alongside his wife Constance Adams, 55, who was charged with the same offences.

Scotland Yard said the couple were charged yesterday after their arrival in London following extradition from Holland.

The alleged offences relate to a shooting in London two years ago of a man in a car in Clerkenwell.

Witnesses described how a man and a woman approached the motorist, who was sitting at the wheel of his black BMW X5 car in St John Street, and shot him in the chest.

The 51-year-old man managed to stagger from the car, which had been stationary close to City University, clutching his chest and screaming for help.

The victim survived the attack, but spent more than a month in hospital recovering from his wounds.

Earlier this year Scotland Yard issued an international appeal to help trace the couple for questioning in connection with the shooting.

They were arrested in Amsterdam in May three months after the public appeal was issued. A Dutch officer is said to have recognised the couple as they strolled past a police station in central Amsterdam.

They smiled and waved at friends and family in the public gallery in the court. They were flanked by five prison officers and three police officers in the dock while more police had gathered in the corridors and at the entrance to the court building.

They confirmed their names, an address in north-east London, and their dates of birth. At the end of the 10-minute hearing they were remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on November 6 by chief magistrate Howard Riddle.

Patrick Adams replied “OK” and gave a thumbs-up before being led away.

The Met had issued a statement this morning saying: “A husband and wife have been charged following their extradition from the Netherlands in relation to a shooting that took place in St John Street EC1 in December 2013.

“Patrick Adams, 59, and Constance Adams, 55, were charged on Thursday, 22 October, with attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. They will appear in custody at Westminster magistrates’ court.”

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