Murder trial told motorist swerved at cyclist

A driver in a Mercedes deliberately swerved into a cyclist following an altercation over the rider hitting the car's wing mirror, a court has heard.

David Morgan, 40, admits manslaughter but denies the murder of Richard Smith on 8 May in Chartwell Road, Norwich.

A jury at Norwich Crown Court was shown CCTV footage from after the collision in which Morgan, of George Winter Court, Norwich, said "I ain't having it, no [expletive] is going to touch my car" and admitted "swerving into him".

Prosecutors said Morgan had been drinking during the day before he knocked the 50-year-old off his bike, and that his children were in the car at the time.

The court was shown CCTV footage of him visiting the Sole and Heel pub in Rackheath, where he allegedly drank four pints between 12:30 and 15:00 BST.

He then left to collect his children from primary school in his Mercedes CLA 180.

Charles Myatt, prosecuting, said there was no CCTV footage showing he returned to the pub but messages on his phone showed he had tried to persuade his friend to meet him back there after collecting his children.

He later headed to the Boundary pub in Norwich to drop his children off with his mother.

But on Chartwell Road he got into an altercation with Smith, who was cycling home from work.

Witnesses said they heard the pair get into an argument after stopping at a red light.

When it changed to green, Morgan overtook a car in front before swerving into the direction of Smith, sending him flying over his handlebars.

The court was shown CCTV footage of Smith, who was wearing a helmet, being hit by the white car.

He died three days later in hospital, having suffered "catastrophic head injuries", Myatt said.

The jury was also shown footage taken from outside Morgan's father's home at George Winter Court, where he recounted the incident and described swerving into the cyclist.

Morgan was later arrested on Bignold Road. He told police Smith had "punched my wing mirror". He described Smith as "that [expletive] idiot" when police explained why they were arresting him.

The prosecution said police found Morgan was over the legal limit for alcohol, and a roadside test showed he had cannabis and cocaine in his system.

Myatt said it was a "deliberate act taken in anger, driving a moving car straight into a vulnerable cyclist".

He said the prosecution did not believe Morgan intended to kill Smith but there was intention to cause serious bodily harm.

The trial, which is expected to last 10 days, continues.

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