Treeby brother 'shot through car window' in Tovil

Jack Treeby died after suffering head and chest injuries when he was hit by a car

A man accused of killing his brother, who was run over by a car, has told a jury he was caught in an ambush after trying to sort out a family feud.

Bill Treeby said his brother Jack shot a gun through his car window outside their sister's house in Kent.

He told a court he drove back along Quarry Road, Maidstone and felt something clip the car, but did not know until next day that Jack was dead.

Bill Treeby, 50, is among four members of his family who deny murder.

His wife Charity Treeby, 51, and their sons Billy Treeby, 29, and George Treeby, 23, all of Queen Street, Paddock Wood, also deny the charge.

Maidstone Crown Court has heard the events of 27 December 2009 took place after a family row in a pub on Christmas Eve.

A third brother, Gary Treeby, was shot in the leg and beaten up in the street in Quarry Road on the Coombe Farm Estate.

The four defendants also deny attempting to murder Gary, causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) and the attempted murder and attempted GBH of Jack Treeby's son, Jack Jnr.

'Lost control'

Bill Treeby told the court on Tuesday he was invited by Gary to Mary Treeby's house.

Gary Treeby was shot and injured during last December's attack

As he drove up Quarry Road he saw Jack approach his Mondeo car.

"He got as far as the passenger side of the car, pulled out a gun and shot straight through the back window," he said.

Bill Treeby said he drove up Quarry Road but it was blocked, so he turned back.

"As I got closer to the house, something shot out again. I lost control of the car and clipped something," he said.

He said he did not know that Jack had been run over and killed until he heard it on the radio the next day.

Bill Treeby was accused in court of lying about what happened and it was put to him that he was angry that his son, Billy, was going to contradict his evidence.

It was put to him that he had orchestrated a plan to have Billy attacked in Elmley Prison on the Isle of Sheppey, where he and his sons were being held, but he denied that had happened.

The court was told Billy Treeby had now been moved to another prison.

The trial continues.