A MAN claimed a Dutch crime writer was killed as a suspect accused of his murder patted a cat.

A police informant told jurors Christopher Hughes, 33, made the claims in connection with the shooting of Martin Kok, 49, outside a sex club in the town of Laren in the Netherlands on December 8, 2016.

Hughes was allegedly told by a crime boss that Mr Kok was shot amid an arrangement with Moroccan gangsters known as 'The Roccies'.

Hughes is said to have been told by his boss to hold back after the leaving the club with Mr Kok so that he did not end up in the cross fire.

The suspect is said to have petted a cat as Mr Kok walked ahead into his car where he was repeatedly shot.

The witness earlier told the High Court in Glasgow that he was part of a firm tasked with selling encrypted phones to criminal gangs.

He said a meeting was arranged for Hughes to meet Mr Kok in order to give him a phone and discuss advertising on his crime site.

The witness claimed that he was told through text message by his boss - known as 'the lad' - on the night of Kok's death that he had been "done."

The witness stated that he was given a "play by play" by Hughes 11 months later at a flat in Antwerp.

Hughes was allegedly aware of the man who had tried to murder Mr Kok hours before his death in Amsterdam.

He allegedly told the witness: "If the c*** sneezed, he would have put the bullet though my face or head."

Hughes is said to have paid for Mr Kok's night at the sex club and supplied him with cocaine.

The witness added: "When it came time to leave, there was reference to the lad.

"The lad had been on about someone waiting for Martin Kok and Christopher Hughes was to hold back.

"Martin left just ahead of Chris and he made a comment about a cat appearing at the club and that he stepped back to pet it."

Prosecutor Liam Ewing QC asked what the significance of petting the cat was.

The witness replied: "Martin was going to his car first so there was no mistake of anyone being caught in the crossfire."

Hughes allegedly peeked in the car after the shooting before messaging his boss on an encrypted phone.

He then allegedly hid in bushes as police arrived at the scene in order to wait to be picked up.

Hughes was said to have been told to get rid of phones and go to the police station to state he was with Mr Kok but was "unhappy" that he had to do it.

Mr Ewing also asked if Hughes understood something was to happen to Mr Kok that night.

He replied: "I remember a comment being made about putting him on a plate for the Roccies."

The witness claimed he had a meeting with his boss a month after the murder.

He said: "I was told it was an arrangement because the lad had access to Martin with a group called the Roccies, a Moroccan crime group, who are all over but more prominent in Amsterdam."

The witness followed up by stating that he didn't think he was told by his boss about how he became involved.

He said that Hughes kept their boss up to date with Mr Kok's movements.

Hughes is also charged with attempted murder and being involved in serious organised crime in locations including Scotland, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Italy as well as Holland.

He is further accused of being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

The trial continues before judge Lady Scott.