Hit-and-run driver ploughed straight into Arsenal fan Benjamin Morse, murder trial told
A hit-and run driver who left an Arsenal fan 'groaning' in pain as he bled to death on the road ploughed straight into his victim, a court heard.
Jason Chambers was at his Halesowen home when he spotted a car mow down Benjamin Morse and flee the scene as the victim lay fighting for his life.
Taking the stand at Wolverhampton Crown Court, he recalled the moment he heard the impact and rushed out of his bedroom to injured Mr Morse.
He told jurors on Tuesday: "I heard the noise of the car and I realised it was quite a serious incident. I could see him go up in the air. He went over the roof of the car."
Prosecutors allege the victim, known to his friends as Benjamin Morse the gunner, was struck by Nidal Alboraiki's Vauxhall Corsa in Beach Street in the early hours of May 1.
Alboraiki accepts he was driving but denies murdering Mr Morse, who suffered fatal injuries after 'catapulting' onto the windscreen of the car when he was struck.
Giving evidence, Mr Chambers said he was with his wife when he heard a group of between three and five people shouting outside his home in nearby Bloomfield Street North.
He recalled peeking out his bedroom window and spotting the group moving in the direction of a car in the street, adding: "It did not seem like a violent altercation at this point."
The witness told the court he believed the car was 'travelling at speed' as he heard the engine revving, and then noticed the vehicle hurtle 'straight' into Mr Morse.
The driver did not try to 'deviate', there were no brake lights on after the smash, and he failed to stop before fleeing along nearby Cherry Street, Mr Chambers claimed.
He went on to reveal he did not see who was driving or how many were in the car as his view was partially hidden by a tree.
During the trial, jurors heard Mr Morse and friends were dropped off by a taxi before an exchange took place between between Alboraiki and the group.
Alboraiki then drove towards the group and initially missed but turned the car around, accelerating towards them and hitting Mr Morse from behind at about 26 mph.
Prosecutors claim the 21-year-old, of Foxhunt Road, Halesowen, then abandoned the car and attempted to dispose of it - but Alboraiki denies seeking to pervert the course of justice.
His 19-year-old brother Ahmed Alboraiki, of the same address, also denies seeking to pervert the course of justice after allegedly disposing of his brother's mobile phone.
The trial continues.
