Ashfield murder trial: Jury goes out for second day in case of man who allegedly 'used his car as a weapon'

It is alleged that John Jefferies deliberately drove at the two men as an “act of revenge” after one of them kicked in the windscreen of his Range Rover, which had been parked outside his girlfriend’s house, and shouted threats at him.

Samuel Donner, 29, died at the scene of the collision, in Southwell Lane, Kirkby, on Saturday, August 8 last year, after fracturing his skull and suffering bleeding to his brain and damage to his spinal column.

A second man, Conna Ross, survived but suffered an open fracture to his lower leg and a laceration to the scalp.

Jefferies, 31, formerly of Walesby Drive, Kirkby, denies the murder of Mr Donner, and charges of attempted murder and causing grevious bodily harm with intent against Mr Ross.

But he has admitted charges of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

Before the incident, Mr Donner had climbed onto Jefferies’ Range Rover and kicked in the windscreen and neighbours described hearing him shouting at the defendant.

The court heard that Jefferies had made a series of calls following the collision, first to his former partner, asking her to come and collect their daughter, who was staying with him at the time.

Judge Stuart Rafferty QC has told them to continue striving for a unanimous verdict at this stage.

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