A jury at Teesside Crown Court has been shown CCTV footage of the moment a Nissan X-Trail ploughed into the wall of a pub, moments before the alleged murder of Daniel Ambler, 23, in Seaham.
Five men are standing trial accused of Daniel's murder and of violent disorder. The defendants are Barry Anderson, 52, of Canon Cockin Street, Sunderland; Ashton Anderson, 20, of Noble Street, Peterlee; Barry Logan Anderson, 19, of Shotton Bank, Hartlepool; Ajay Henry, 18, of Melrose Crescent, Seaham; and Tyler Leadbetter, 18, of Elgin Avenue, Seaham.
Each denies murder, but Ashton Anderson has admitted violent disorder. On Wednesday, the prosecution opening concluded and witness evidence began.
Court hears evidence from police officer
DC Anna Carter of Durham Constabulary began with her evidence, and CCTV footage of the "key events" was shown to jurors. The officer said there are multiple CCTV recordings and images relating to the incident.
The first CCTV footage played showed the moment a Nissan X-Trail drove towards a bus stop on Whitlea Road, where Daniel, Reece Wilkin and Anthony Davison were standing. Prosecutor Matthew Donkin KC said that the group then "scattered" and ran away as they were chased.
The trial was then shown CCTV footage taken from a nearby home, which showed Barry Anderson and Reece Wilkin getting into a fist fight outside the Mallard pub. The footage then showed the Nissan - which was being driven by Ashton Anderson - ploughing into the fighting men and the pub beer garden wall. The Nissan narrowly missed Barry Anderson.
Alleged incident at petrol station
Ashton Anderson then reversed out of the damaged wall and drove off into the direction of the petrol station where Daniel and Logan Anderson were. It is alleged that Ashton Anderson drove the Nissan X-Trail towards Daniel before hitting him and "crushing" him between the vehicle and the petrol station shop.
The jury also heard a witness statement from Daniel's mother, Andrea Walker, who said her son was unemployed and living in Sunderland alone before Reece Wilkin moved in with him. She said he was on sickness benefits and Universal Credit at the time of his death and had "alcohol and drugs issues".
Mother's statement read to court
She said Daniel would "score drugs" in Seaham, getting the bus there from Sunderland. Her statement said: "On the day he died, I did not know where he was, I found out he died because Reece rang me and told me what happened."
The trial continues.
