Angry driver ‘took law into his own hands’ and killed man when wing mirror was snapped off

Pizza delivery driver Uran Nabiev is accused of deliberately mowing down 26-year-old Jake Kemp in southeast London

Undated handout CCTV grab issued by the Metropolitan Police of Uran Nabiev's Toyota Prius driving towards a man on Bexley Road in Erith, southeast London, 19 October 2019. (Metropolitan Police/PA)

An angry delivery driver mowed down two people, killing one and injuring the other, after his wing mirror was snapped off, a court has heard.

John Ambler, 33, had been walking along a street in Erith, southeast London, with Jake Kemp, 26, after a night out when he drunkenly punched a parked Toyota Prius in the early hours of 19 October.

The Old Bailey heard how the car’s owner, 63-year-old Uran Nabiev, saw what happened and allegedly responded by taking “the law into his own hands with tragic consequences”.

The pizza delivery driver, who had been at home drinking vodka, got into his car intent on using it “as a weapon” against the men, jurors were told.

What happened next on Bexley Road was caught on graphic CCTV footage played in court.

Mr Nabiev allegedly drove up behind the two men, revved his engine and mounted the pavement.

Delivery driver Mr Ambler was hit in the arm and his friend ran off pursued by Mr Nabiev, who reversed and mounted the opposite pavement.

Mr Kemp stumbled and fell and seconds later Mr Nabiev deliberately drove straight over him, jurors heard.

The air conditioning engineer was dragged 9m down the pavement, ending face down in a pool of blood.

He suffered a serious head injury and died in hospital three days later.

After the incident Mr Nabiev, a father of one, drove to a friend’s house “shaking, panicking and slurring his words”, the court heard.

CCTV screengrab issued by the Metropolitan Police of Uran Nabiev's Toyota Prius driving towards a man on Bexley Road, in Erith, southeast London, 19 October 2020. (Metropolitan Police/PA)

He allegedly said: “Thief, thief. They broke the car.”

Mr Nabiev fled to his native Azerbaijan but was arrested on his return to the UK in November, when he told police he was “extremely sorry” for Mr Kemp’s death.

Opening the murder trial, Anthony Orchard QC said: “Instead of ringing the police to report his wing mirror damage, he took the law into his own hands with tragic consequences.

“Jake had no chance. He ran and fell. Despite a clear time gap, the defendant made no attempt to brake.”

In a prepared statement, Mr Nabiev said he “did not intend to harm anyone or to cause them serious harm”.

Mr Nabiev, of Bexley Road, denies the murder of Mr Kemp and the attempted murder of Mr Ambler, both from Barnehurst, southeast London.

He also denies lesser alternative charges of manslaughter and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The trial continues.

Additional reporting by Press Association