A witness has told a jury that no one inside a Nissan X-Trail was celebrating after the vehicle crashed into Daniel Ambler at a petrol station in Seaham, County Durham, where the 22-year-old later died.
Ambler was found with fatal injuries following a collision at the Esso Asda Express Service Station on January 15 this year and died at the scene. Five people have been charged with his murder and are standing trial at Teesside Crown Court.
Witness evidence in court
On Tuesday, Alexis Prest, who was in a relationship with Ashton Anderson at the time and was inside the Nissan X-Trail during the alleged murder, finished giving her evidence. Defence barrister Christopher Tehrani KC asked her about the moment the Nissan was driven into the petrol station.
Prest said it was Ashton’s idea to drive in the direction of the garage and that neither she, Ajay Henry, nor Tyler Leadbitter had asked him to drive towards it. She agreed it was a “complete surprise” when Ashton quickly turned into the station.
Reaction after the collision
Asked whether anyone was urging Ashton to drive into the petrol station, the witness replied: “No.” Questioned about the moments immediately after the collision, Tehrani asked whether anyone was urging Ashton on or celebrating the fact that Daniel had been knocked onto the bonnet. Prest replied: “Yeah, no one was celebrating.”
The barrister then asked why she did not check on Daniel following the crash. The witness said: “My main concern was to get home and do something about what just happened.” She told the jury she “didn’t know” if Ambler was dead at that moment and that the same night she went to the police station.
Agreeing that what she had witnessed was “a shocking incident,” Prest replied: “Yes.” Answering questions from Leadbetter’s barrister, Sarah Forshaw KC, the witness agreed that in a police interview she told officers that following the crash Ashton appeared to be “in shock” and “as if to say ‘what have I done?’” She also agreed she was left “horrified” by what happened.
The five defendants—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—all deny murder. The trial continues.
