Father deliberately drove into motorbike, court told

Richard Radbourne, 47, died at the scene of the collision

A father deliberately drove into a motorcyclist who was in a high-speed chase with his son, causing fatal injuries including brain damage and a severed spinal cord, a court has heard.

Murat Karakas, 51, of Gillway Lane, Tamworth, denies murder and manslaughter at Stafford Crown Court.

He is also charged with causing death by dangerous driving in the ongoing trial.

Jurors were told Richard Radbourne, 47, died from “multiple traumatic injuries” in Comberford Road, Tamworth, on 3 March, after Mr Karakas’s Audi Q3 collided with his Harley Davidson.

Prosecuting, Michael Burrows KC said: “Richard Radbourne was chasing this defendant’s son.

“When Murat Karakas learned what was going on he armed himself with a bat, got into his car and rather than drive after them, he drove the other way.

“The prosecution say he drove round in the other direction because he intended to meet them as they came around the loop again.

“He then pulled out in front of Richard Radbourne.”

The court heard Mr Karakas’s son and Mr Radbourne were travelling above 70mph on 30mph roads when the collision happened.

Mr Karakas drove his “big car at a motorcycle to cause at least serious harm”, the prosecutor said.

The collision happened in Comberford Road, Tamworth

Jurors heard a post-mortem showed Mr Radbourne suffered injuries including a bleed on his brain, damage to his brain stem, a severed spinal cord, a torn aorta and fractures to his spine and thigh bones.

The prosecutor said despite efforts from paramedics, Mr Radbourne was pronounced dead at the scene.

The jury heard there was no evidence to suggest there were any defects to either vehicle that could have contributed to the collision.

Mr Burrows said the Harley Davidson was so “extensively damaged”, a police officer at the scene “could not tell what make or model it was”.

He said he understood the defendant's case to be that "Richard Radbourne was on the wrong side of the road and he, Murat Karakas, deliberately drove into the centre of it hoping the motorcyclist would stop".

He added: “The Crown say he knew the inevitable consequences of his actions. There was bound to be a collision.

“Richard Radbourne was almost certain to be killed in that collision or at least sustain really serious injuries – that’s murder.”

The trial continues.