'No way' man's death was an accident, witness says

The court heard it was likely Paul Bowles "was carried some distance" on the front bonnet of the van

A van driver "knew what he was doing" when he struck and killed a teacher following a "road rage" argument, a witness has said.

Andrew Robson, 33, is said to have intentionally swerved his Ford Transit van towards Paul Bowles, 50, and knocked him to the ground on 26 March in Oldham, Greater Manchester, before driving away.

Mr Robson is standing trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court having denied murder and an alternative count of manslaughter.

On Wednesday the teenage eyewitness, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the jury "there was no way" the collision was accidental.

The young witness said: "When the guy drove forward he had a good five seconds to stop.

"He knew what he was doing. He purposely went forward and to the side to hit him and drag him across the road.

"There is no way that it was accidental. It was on purpose."

Paramedics and police were called but Paul Bowles was pronounced dead at the scene

Prosecutors said the two men had got out of their vehicles 18:40 GMT and fought at the Elk Mill roundabout in Chadderton, before Mr Robson got back into his van and drove at Mr Bowles.

The fight is said to have erupted after Mr Robson, of Fold Green, Chadderton, drove "very close" to Mr Bowles's Nissan Qashqai along Broadway.

Gordon Cole KC, prosecuting, had said: "It is likely that Paul Bowles was carried some distance on the front bonnet of the van and then been knocked to the floor."

Mr Cole suggested it was "absolutely obvious" that Mr Robson knew what he had done but that he deliberately drove away and later made arrangements to dispose of his vehicle.

The emergency services were called but Mr Bowles died at the scene.

The trial continues.