An innocuous clash between a cyclist and a group of friends walking home from the pub resulted in one man being killed and three others seriously injured, a court heard.
The group were mowed down by a father and son in a van as the pair are accused of carrying out a ‘revenge’ hit-and-run which resulted in a 60-year-old man being carried 150m on the bonnet of their van.
Brian Darby was killed and three other people, including a teenager, were seriously injured following the fatal incident in Ingleby Barwick, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Martin Breeze and his son, Shaun, are accused of driving directly at the group as they walked home from the 3 Rivers bar following a confrontation in the street.
The younger Breeze called his father for help and he jumped in his van and set off to find him despite being intoxicated with drink and cocaine, the jury heard.
Brian Darby (Image: Contributor)
Opening the case, Nick Dry, prosecuting, said: “The pair of them only had one thing in mind - that was revenge.”
The 60-year-old Ingleby Barwick grandad died after an incident was reported in the Myton Way/Rings area of Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, on Friday, February 9, at around 9.30pm.
“When the group were identified by his son, Martin Breeze made a bee-line for them, leaving the carriageway, mounting a grass verge, ploughing across a cycle path before mowing them down on a pedestrian footpath,” Mr Dry said.
“Brian Darby’s body was carried on the front of the vehicle before falling into the opposite carriageway as these two defendants sped away into the night.
“Mr Darby died at the scene.”
A photograph from the scene of the alleged murder (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)
Mr Dry added: “Having fled the scene, the defendants sought to cover their tracks, abandoning the heavily damaged van and taking a circuitous route back to their address.”
Martin Breeze, 57, of Irthing Close, Ingleby Barwick has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges.
He denied the murder of Mr Darby, the manslaughter of Mr Darby, four charges of attempted murder, four charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
Shaun Breeze, 29, of Owls Grove, Ingleby Barwick, has also pleaded not guilty to the same set of charges.
The father and son are also charged with an additional offence of perverting the course of justice, which they both deny, after reporting the van stolen to police.
After being arrested on suspicion of murder, Martin Breeze told police he had taken £600 worth of drink and cocaine and was 'off his f***** tree' on the night.
He also told them that his mobile phone had been in his van when it was stolen.
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Brandon Jordan, who was the only member of the group not to suffer injuries, told police how his mother, Kelly Jordan had suffered serious injuries while his best friend, William Keats, suffered a badly broken leg.
He said: “The van came steaming over the kerb and into them. I can’t remember if I jumped out of the way or if I was a bit behind the others. I seen me mam, Will and [younger boy] go flying.
“Will was screaming hysterically. I went over to me mam, I think I did. I was trying to get a response out of her, but it was just like moans and groans.”
The trial continues.
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