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Man accused of dragging pensioner 650ft beneath van was drunk and had drink-driving convictions, court hears

A man accused of knocking down a pensioner and dragging him under his van had only returned to driving four weeks beforehand after convictions for drink driving, a court heard.

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Josef Moscicki told jurors he was drunk and had no knowledge of the fatal collision which left 83-year-old Bernard James Smith with multiple broken bones, and head injury, in Stafford in the early hours of last Christmas Day.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard he has two convictions for drink driving in 2011 and had been "awkward" when arrested by police, initially on suspicion of being over the legal limit.

The 23 year old was then arrested and charged with more serious offences of death by dangerous driving and murder. He told yesterday's hearing it was a "massive shock" and what police implied "scared me."

After giving evidence for the first time he continually insisted he had no knowledge or memory of any collision and had not seen anyone.

Moscicki said: "If I had known I had done that, I wouldn't forget that. It is something that will impact on your memory."

He has admitted death by dangerous driving but is on trial for murder. Mr Smith, known as Jim, was discovered at the junction of Shakespeare Road and Wordsworth Avenue.

Reflecting on the death, Moscicki, said: "It is upsetting and it is a sad thing that has happened. Christmas is never going to be same for his family or for me. It is always going to be the day that Mr Smith died."

The court was told Moscicki, of Little Acres, Gorse Ride North, Wokingham, Berkshire, had travelled to Stafford to spend Christmas with family of his girlfriend.

He had been drinking vodka and cokes and had been to a nightclub in Stafford. There had been an argument between his girlfriend and a relative and they had left.

He got a taxi by himself but the court was told he had got out without paying. There was then a further disagreement with his girlfriend when he returned to where she was staying in Burns Avenue, and he left.

The prosecution claim he hit the pensioner with his Ford Transit van in Burns Avenue, dragging him more than 650ft under the vehicle.

They say it had been 'obvious' Mr Smith had been underneath the van and he had also been wearing a high-visibility jacket.

It is alleged Moscicki drove away from the scene as Mr Smith laid in the road injured and unconscious but returned a short while later.

It is said he deliberately drove over Mr Smith's legs in front of eye witnesses before leaving the scene.

When police attended they spotted his van in the area and officers attempted to stop it by stepping into the road, but Moscicki drove at an officer forcing him to jump out of the way. The trial continues

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