ARMED police swooped on a Jeep that was fired at in Huddersfield in a bid to track the gunman, a court heard.

But victim Damian Munroe had already admitted himself to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, where he said he had been shot in the head.

The evidence came yesterday, day three of the trial at Bradford Crown Court of three Huddersfield men.

Carl Hughes, 31, of Abbey Road, Fartown, James Collier, 27, of Stoney Cross Street, Taylor Hill, and Bradley Okoro, 22, of New Hey Road, Oakes, are all charged with the attempted murder of Sheffield man Mr Munroe, 28.

They are also charged with attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, violent disorder and possessing a firearm.

They deny all the charges.

Pc Steve Huntington was among the first police at the scene of the shooting in town centre Cross Church Street on April 22, 2006.

He told the court he first noted a damaged taxi which a group of people from Sheffield had crashed into as they fled at 4am.

He said investigations revealed the defendants, the victim and his friends had left the scene.

But shortly afterwards he received information that the Jeep which had been shot at was seen returning to the town.

Pc Huntington added: “While guarding the scene I became aware that one of the vehicles believed to be involved in the shooting was making its way back.

“An armed response unit stopped the vehicle on the ring road and carried out a search. The two male occupants of the vehicle were laid on the floor.”

But Mr Munroe had already admitted himself to Accident and Emergency at HRI, where he was seen by nursing sister Samantha Maxfield.

In a statement read to the court Ms Maxfield said: “He was calm, but appeared anxious and stated that he had been shot in the head.

“There was a 2in-long wound on his forehead about his right eye.

“Shortly afterwards I received a message from security that there was a black Jeep in the car park that had gunshot damage.”

Mr Munroe received only minor injuries from the bullet as it grazed his forehead.

The following day Simon Smith found a bullet case as he was walking along Queen Street, near the Lawrence Batley Theatre, with his son.

A bullet was found in the Jeep driven by Mr Munroe and his friends.

Earlier in the trial the jury heard how Okoro and Collier had previously engaged in street violence together.

Witnesses also told of seeing the two men with Hughes on the night of the shooting. This was captured on CCTV.

The trial continues.