Man breaks down at murder trial over friend's death

Jack Field, from Hailsham, died aged 24

A man broke down in the witness stand as he described the harrowing moment his friend was run over and killed after a night out.

Jack Field died aged 24 after a Mitsubishi Shogun was driven over his head following a fracas in Hailsham on 18 November 2023.

Mr Field's friend Jack Johnson told Hove Crown Court on Tuesday: "I just knew someone was dead."

Kyle Dumble, 27, is alleged to have been driving the vehicle. He denies charges of murder and attempted grievous bodily harm.

Mr Johnson, who broke down as he gave evidence, said he had been out with a group of friends in Hailsham to celebrate a birthday on the night of the incident and that he had convinced Mr Field to join them.

After an altercation, Mr Johnson, 26, said he heard an engine revving and turned to see a vehicle on the pavement. He said he then heard screaming.

Owain Leaney, 25, was also part of Mr Field's group of friends. He told the court that he was "quite drunk" but remembered an altercation and then a vehicle coming towards them.

"It was definitely ramming into us as a group with intent," he said.

Amy Packham, prosecuting, told the jury on Monday that some of the group had got into an argument with one of the defendant's friends, Jimmy Stonegate, who was parked nearby.

Seeing his friend in a fight, Mr Dumble got into Mr Stonegate's Mitsubishi Shogun and drove it towards Mr Field and his friend Jake Barry, crashing into a parked vehicle that knocked Mr Field into the road, said Ms Packham.

She said that Mr Dumble then drove over Mr Field's head, killing him instantly, before fleeing the scene.

The trial continues.

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