Recovery truck driver Mohammed Azim, 41, has denied murdering his 19-year-old girlfriend Lily Whitehouse by pinning her against a lamppost with his vehicle. He told a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court that he never wanted to harm her, breaking down in tears as he gave evidence.
Prosecution Alleges Truck Used as Weapon
The prosecution claims that Azim used his truck as a weapon during an argument on November 5 last year, his 41st birthday, in Oldbury. Lily Whitehouse suffered catastrophic chest injuries when she was crushed against a lamppost. Azim denies murder and told the jury on Monday that he hit her accidentally after dropping her off near her home.
CCTV footage released by West Midlands Police shows the moment Whitehouse was pushed along a road by the truck seconds before the fatal incident. The prosecution argued that the footage appears to show Azim nudging or pushing her with the vehicle.
Defendant's Account of Events
Azim said he picked up Whitehouse after she visited her premature baby, fathered by another man, at Russells Hall Hospital. He stated they were not arguing and that she asked to spend more time with him. After chatting and scrolling on their phones, Azim said he needed to leave for an early night, but Whitehouse pleaded to go with him.
He described getting out of the van to hug her and then returning to the driver's seat. He said Whitehouse tried to stop the van from the front, and he drove slowly to go around her but had to swerve due to parked cars. He heard a bang and felt something under the tyre, then saw her on the road.
Defendant's Emotional Testimony
Explaining why he put Whitehouse in his van while calling 999, Azim said he wanted to take her to the hospital himself, fearing an ambulance would take too long. He admitted lying to emergency services about seeing another car hit her, stating he couldn't believe he was responsible.
Azim said, 'I never wanted to hurt Lily.' He described their relationship, saying she relied on him for support and had few friends. He denied ever assaulting her and said her messages accusing him of seeing other women were for attention.
The trial continues.
