Driver accepts killing man and injuring others

Brian Darby was killed when he was struck by a van in February

A hit-and-run driver admits he killed a pedestrian and injured three others, but did "not hit them on purpose", a murder trial has heard.

Brian Darby, 60, was killed instantly when he was struck by Martin Breeze's van in Ingleby Barwick in February, Teesside Crown Court has heard.

Prosecutors said Mr Breeze drove his van into Mr Darby and three friends in "revenge" for them remonstrating with his son Shaun, 29.

Martin Breeze, 57, told jurors he lost control of the van and then drove away like a "coward".

Martin Breeze said he and his son had spent 9 February consuming copious amounts of cocaine at their home on Owls Grove in Ingleby Barwick.

At about 23:00, Shaun Breeze went out on his father's bike to collect more cocaine but the dealer did not show up, the court heard.

Martin Breeze said his son then rang him and shouted "dad they're after me" and that he was near the Co-op, which is part of the 3 Rivers bar complex. Martin Breeze said he could hear running footsteps and voices shouting in the background.

The court has heard Mr Darby and his friends had been leaving the 3 Rivers when Shaun Breeze barged through them on his bike, causing several of them to shout at him and chase him a short distance.

Martin Breeze's van was heavily damaged in the crash

Martin Breeze said he was in an "absolute panic" and "scared witless" for his son so jumped into his van to go and find him.

He said he knew he was in no condition to drive but he had "no choice", adding he feared his son could be "stabbed" or have his "head kicked in".

Martin Breeze said he drove "at speed" to the Co-op and pulled up alongside his son, shouting at him to get in.

He said he could see a man running behind his son and feared he could have a knife, so just put his "foot down" and drove away.

Martin Breeze said he looked at his son, who was "white as a sheet", and then in the mirror but he did it for "too long".

He said the van hit the kerb and within a second there was a "bang on the windscreen".

He initially told jurors he was not sure what he had hit, then admitted he knew he had struck a person, adding it "all happened so fast".

Martin Breeze said he was a "coward" and "despicable" so drove off, adding he was "scared" and "frightened and unable to think straight".

He then parked the van and fled home.

He said it was his idea to then call the police and report his van stolen, adding it was "stupidity" and "naivety", adding: "I didn't realise how much trouble I was causing, I was trying to save my family basically".

'Feel dreadful'

His barrister, Peter Makepeace KC, asked him if he accepted his driving was "incredibly dangerous" and as a result a man was killed and other lives "destroyed".

Martin Breeze replied: "Yes I do."

Mr Makepeace asked him if he had deliberately driven into the group or intended to kill or harm anyone, to which Martin Breeze replied: "Definitely not, no."

In cross-examination, prosecutor Nick Dry asked Martin Breeze if he felt "dreadful" and "guilty" for what he had done.

The defendant replied he did, adding it kept him awake at night.

Mr Dry said Martin Breeze still did not "feel guilty enough to tell the truth" to the jury, to which the defendant replied he had told the truth.

"I hit them but not on purpose," Martin Breeze said.

The prosecutor said the reality was Martin Breeze "could not have cared less" and would "say or do anything" to "get away with murder", to which the defendant replied: "No."

Mr Dry asked why Martin Breeze had not just admitted what he had done before when questioned by police.

Martin Breeze said he had been "scared" about the consequences for his son but his initial denials and the false van theft report was "just a big massive mistake".

Mr Dry said Martin Breeze had been in a "drunken, drug-fuelled stupor" and wanted "instant revenge", but the defendant replied that was "a bit over the top".

Drug addict

He earlier told jurors he had become addicted to painkillers after being injured in a motorbike accident in 2009, which had then moved to heroin use.

Martin Breeze said he still managed to run a successful painter decorator business but his marriage ended because of his drug use and, when work stopped because of the coronavirus pandemic, his company failed.

His previous home on Irthing Close and his van were both in the process of being repossessed, the court heard, and his whole life revolved around taking drugs which his son Shaun had also started using.

Martin Breeze said he had a "fantastic" relationship with Shaun, the second oldest of his four children, as he had delivered him in the back of a car on the way to hospital.

The court heard Shaun had been diagnosed with depression and anxiety at a young age before later being confirmed to have an autism diagnosis as an adult.

The father and son both deny 11 offences including murder, manslaughter and attempted murder.

The trial continues.