Murder suspect feared for his safety before striking Arsenal fan, court hears
A MURDER suspect accused of ploughing his car into a man before fleeing the scene has claimed he feared for his safety.
Nidal Alboraiki told jurors Arsenal fan Benjamin Morse and his friends had slurred racial abuse at him moments before the hit-and-run in Halesowen.
The 21-year-old accepted he was driving but denies murdering Mr Morse, who suffered fatal injuries after 'catapulting' onto the windscreen of the car.
Taking the stand at Wolverhampton Crown Court, he said: "I thought they wanted trouble - I was scared. I did not drive at any of these people.
"I was not driving fast and I was not driving in a dangerous manner. I was panicking and I was confused."
Prosecutors allege the victim, known to his friends as Benjamin Morse the gunner, was deliberately struck by Alboraiki's Vauxhall Corsa in Beach Street in the early hours of May 1.
The unemployed defendant told the court he was taking three friends home when he spotted men surrounding his car, with one shouting "oi, wait there".
He recalled seeing two men in front of his Corsa and another two behind the vehicle, but believed the group wanted to speak to one of his passengers.
The defendant, of of Foxhunt Road, Halesowen, then told jurors he drove forward before reversing back into Beach Street.
Giving evidence at his trial on Tuesday, Alboraiki said: "I was driving up the street when the windscreen smashed. I had no recollection of seeing anyone in the road or stepping into the road.
"I did not know what had happened. I thought "what was that?". I panicked and I drove off. I wasn't driving dangerously.
"I did not intentionally drive at anyone or towards anyone. It was never my intention to kill anyone or cause serious harm. I wasn't trying to frighten anyone."
Amanda Sophie Lee also told the court she heard a threat to kill moments before Mr Morse, who lived in the town's Yew Tree Road, was struck by the car.
She described hearing a vehicle being driven aggressively, followed by an altercation which quickly evolved into an argument.
The witness recalled a car engine revved loudly and someone uttered "I am going to kill you" before she spotted a man lying in the road.
Alboraiki, who denies murder and seeking to pervert the course of justice, abandoned the car and attempted to dispose of it after the crash, prosecutors allege.
His 19-year-old brother Ahmed Alboraiki, of the same address, denies seeking to pervert the course of justice after allegedly disposing of his brother's mobile phone.
The trial continues.